Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What You Need to Know, All in One Place
UI/UX Design Basics
What Is UI/UX Design?
UI/UX design is the practice of designing how a software product looks and how it works for the people using it. UI, user interface, covers the visual layer: the screens, buttons, layouts, colors, and components a person sees and touches. UX, user experience, covers how the product behaves: the flows, structure, and logic that determine whether using it feels clear and effortless or confusing and frustrating. Strong products need both. A beautiful interface that is hard to use fails, and a well-structured product that looks dated and untrustworthy fails too. At The Skins Factory, we have been designing both layers together for software companies, enterprises, and startups for over 25 years.
What Is the Difference Between UI and UX?
UI is what the product looks like. UX is how the product works. User interface (UI) design is the visual and interactive surface, the screens, typography, spacing, color, icons, and controls. User experience (UX) design is the underlying structure, the user flows, information hierarchy, and interaction logic that decide how easily someone can actually accomplish what they came to do. The two are deeply connected. A clean interface built on a confusing flow still frustrates users, and a smart flow wrapped in a dated interface still erodes trust. Good software design treats UI and UX as one discipline, not two separate steps. For a deeper breakdown, read our guide on the difference between UI and UX design.
What Does a UI/UX Design Agency Do?
A UI/UX design agency designs the interface and experience of software products: web apps, mobile apps, dashboards, portals, and enterprise systems. That work typically includes auditing an existing product, mapping user flows, building wireframes, designing high-fidelity screens and design systems, and preparing developer-ready files for engineering. A good agency does more than make a product look better. It identifies what is creating friction, simplifies complex workflows, and improves the things that drive real business outcomes, onboarding completion, feature adoption, retention, and conversions. The Skins Factory has delivered this for Fortune 500 companies, mid-size businesses, and startups across SaaS, fintech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and enterprise software.
How Do You Know If Your Product Has a UX Problem?
Most products signal UX problems through behavior long before anyone calls it a design issue. Common signs include users abandoning onboarding before they activate, dashboards that feel overwhelming or hard to scan, rising support requests for things that should be self-explanatory, demos that are harder to give than they should be, and new features that feel bolted on rather than connected. A telling detail from research on how people judge software and websites: 94% of a user's initial negative reactions to a product are triggered by design elements (Source: Sillence et al., Trust and Mistrust of Online Health Sites). If your product is hard to use, hard to demo, or starting to feel dated next to competitors, those are UX problems worth fixing.
Our Policy
Providing Design Concepts Before Engagement
On rare occasions, some potential clients may request that we provide initial design concepts as part of their project proposal. However, we are unable to accommodate this request prior to contractual engagement for a very good reason...
The process of creating the first comps or prototypes for a design project typically takes 5–10 business days from ideation to realization. If we were to provide these concepts without being awarded the project, our Design Team would essentially be working and giving our ideas away for free for 1–2 weeks in hopes of securing the job. We believe this is neither fair nor sustainable.
Instead, we encourage potential clients to explore our robust portfolio spanning over 25+ years of design work. This will give you an in-depth understanding of our capabilities and expertise. Additionally, we are more than happy to provide a detailed cost estimate for your project free of charge.
Ready to get started? We'd love to learn about your project and provide a no-obligation estimate. Contact Us and we'll be in touch within one business day.
Project Expansion + Costs
How Much Does UI/UX Design Cost, and How Do You Cost Out Projects?
The cost of a UI/UX design project depends on a handful of factors: the size of the product, the number of screens, the complexity of the workflows, how much user research is required, whether a full design system is needed, and how much of the product is being redesigned versus built from scratch. A small, focused engagement and a large, multi-platform enterprise redesign sit at very different points on that scale, which is why we quote every project individually rather than publish a fixed price list. We provide a detailed, no-obligation cost estimate for free, so you know exactly what to expect before any commitment.
Depending on the project, we offer Project Based fixed rates (preferable) or if the project scope is vague or nascent, we'll work on an Agency Retainer utilizing blocks of time - which we discuss further down. Sometimes it's hybrid of both fixed cost + hourly.
We use a simple method to cost out projects - we review the entire scope of work or request for proposal, estimate how many hours the project will take from start to finish and multiply the Production Time estimate by our Hourly Rate to come up with a fixed cost. We've been doing this for 25+ years, and are really good at figuring project costs. If the project takes longer, there are no additional charges provided the reason is not scope expansion or Client back tracking. If it takes a slightly shorter duration, there are no refunds.
We require a non-refundable retainer of 50% of the total project cost before we start. The remaining 50% is due upon completion and before we turn over the final source files.
We use a multiple retainer system. We require a non-refundable retainer of 50% when we start and the remaining 50% (also non-refundable) is due before we start the 2nd half of the project. We will discuss the break point for the 2nd half milestone. Wire transfers are the only acceptable method of payment for Startup companies.
We use a multiple retainer system. We require a non-refundable retainer of 50% when we start and the remaining 50% (also non-refundable) is due before we start the 2nd half of the project. We will discuss the break point for the 2nd half milestone. Wire transfers are the only acceptable method of payment for Non-U.S. clients.
What If We Need to Expand the Project Scope After We've Started?
After we sign and execute a Master Design Agreement, the initial Scope of Work is "locked in" since costs are based solely on the project scope you initially provided if the project is cost out at a fixed cost, however…
You can always add more scope to the project.
It's a simple process where you submit additional Scope of Work requirements or an RFP, we cost it out, and if the costs are accepted, we deliver to you an Addendum Agreement. Once signed, the new Scope of Work becomes part of the project. We can also offer blocks of time. These are prepaid time blocks. We record our time usage using a Google Doc Spreadsheets that your team can view at any time. Any leftover time at the end of the project gets deducted from the final payment. You never pay for time you don't use.
Please note, the costs for the addendum and time blocks are due up front in full as the new Scope of Work will push the completion date further into the future. Any unused portion of a Time Block is refunded at the end of the project or deducted from the final payment.
What Are Your Deliverables?
The deliverables are organized using either Sketch or Adobe Photoshop CC .PSD file(s) containing organized + optimized (merged into as few compositing layers as possible) graphics for each distinct graphical element and any associated states ready for export by your code developers. When utilizing Photoshop, we use a feature called "Layer Comps". Using layer comps, we can create, manage, and include multiple application screens in a single Photoshop file. By activating a layer comp, only the layers for that particular comps are turned on. This expedites a developer's workflow by not having to search a .PSD that has a multitude of layers and folders. The project is considered completed when the last Sketch file or Adobe Photoshop .PSD has been finalized by our UI/UX designers.
Initial Project Start
How Long Does a UI/UX Design Project Take?
Every project is different, so there is no single answer. The honest comparison is asking how much a car costs without saying what kind of car. The timeline depends on the scope of work, the number of screens, the complexity of the workflows, whether the product is a refresh of an existing design or built from scratch, and whether it spans one platform or several. That said, an average project tends to run 6 to 10 weeks. A small, focused engagement moves faster, while a large, multi-platform enterprise redesign takes considerably longer. Once we review your scope of work, we give you a realistic timeline along with your free estimate, so you know what to expect before anything begins.
What we can tell you is that things start fast. Regardless of the total project length, you will see your first design candidates within 5 to 10 business days.
For smaller projects, ongoing needs, or work that does not warrant a full engagement, we also offer Fractional UI/UX Design Services, a flexible, month-to-month way to access our design team without the commitment of a full project.
How Long Until We See the First Design Candidates (Marker Comps)?
This typically takes 5–10 business days (every project is different), during which time we will explore various approaches and narrow down the best initial candidates for presentation. The complexity of the product is also a determining factor.
What Kind of Design Reviews Would You Hold - How Many?
Because the design process is fluid by nature, we will submit artwork for your review as it is designed, often with notes explaining direction and thinking behind what you're seeing. We communicate via email or teleconference, whichever is most convenient for you and your team. We find regularly scheduled (specific weekday) drops and review meetings slow down the process, as there will be likely weeks upon which you receive multiple drops for review and others where there may be no drops.
Do I Need a Designer or a Developer?
In most cases, a software product needs both, just at different stages. A UI/UX designer decides how the product looks and how it works: the screens, the flows, the structure, and the overall experience. A developer takes that design and builds it in code so it actually functions. The simplest way to think about it is that design defines the product and development brings it to life. If you are still in the planning or redesign phase, you typically start with design. If you already have approved designs, you may only need development.
The Skins Factory specializes in UI/UX design. When a project also needs engineering, we work alongside a trusted development partner so you get a complete path from concept to production-ready product, with our team staying involved to protect the design vision through build. You can learn more on our UI/UX Development Services page.
Does The Skins Factory Code?
We Own Design and User Experience. They Handle Engineering. Together We Turn Your Best Ideas Into Reliable, Production-Ready Products That Drive Tangible Business Results.
To provide our clients with full-service solutions, we have partnered with a local software development and tech staffing agency with a global expert talent pool and decades of success serving enterprise clients. They're currently working on long-term engagements with two of our clients. Simply reach out to us and we will introduce you.
- Cloud & Security
- Business Intelligence
- Data Analytics
- DevOps
- Legacy Modernization
- 3rd-Party Integrations
- Automations
- AI & ML Development
- LLM & Agentic AI
- Enterprise & SaaS
- Full-Stack Web
- Front-End Augmentation
- Mobile iOS & Android
- Blockchain Platforms
- Technology Consulting
- Product Roadmapping
- Software Consulting
- IoT & Embedded
- Smart TV & Gaming
- Team Augmentation
- AR & VR
Top Tech Talent Staffing Services
Our Partner can get you immediate access to senior-level, pre-vetted professionals ready to contribute from day one. Skip the agencies and job boards. Whether you need a single specialist for a short-term project, a dedicated full-time engineer, or an entire team to augment your existing staff, our partner scales with your business without the overhead, delays, or hiring risk.
Tell Them What You Need
Share your project requirements, tech stack, and team structure. Their specialists will source the right professionals from a pre-vetted global network aligned to your exact needs.
They Handle the Screening
Every candidate is rigorously screened through technical assessments and live interviews conducted by senior industry experts, eliminating guesswork and protecting your hiring decisions.
Your Expert Starts in Days
Once matched, your new team member integrates directly with your team. All contracts, payments, and compliance are fully managed so you can focus on building world-class software products.
Design Methodology
What Makes Good UX Design?
Good UX design makes a product feel clear, intuitive, and effortless to use. The user should always know where they are, what to do next, and how to get there with as little friction as possible. The workflows should be readily apparent with no guesswork required. Our core philosophy is that "less is more." We deploy ample white space to create a sense of calm and purpose, build structural consistency so there is a minimal learning curve, and treat form and function as equal partners. A product that looks beautiful but is confusing to use has failed, and so has one that works but feels cluttered and cold. Good UX is where the two meet.
How Do You Start Creating a Design? How Do You Take User Experience (UX) Into Consideration?
We work systematically through the sections of an application. We believe in structural consistency, so that there is a minimal learning curve as the user navigates the application. In terms of user experience, we truly believe that "less is more." Workflows should be readily apparent with no guesswork involved on the part of the user. In developing an experience, we become the user as we imagine what we would want from the product / service. Much of what we do is driven by logic and the intuition that comes with extensive experience. We believe in exploring the possibilities to find the correct approach that enables the user to feel connected to the experience.
What Is Your Definition of a Good Designing Approach vs a Bad Designing Approach?
When a software application is drastically redesigned, all users should be considered "new" users. Good design involves helping your software users navigate through unfamiliar territory. We accomplish this by providing easy-to-use navigation, intuitive interaction design & productivity layouts, and when necessary, subtle onboarding. We deploy ample white space throughout the UI, to promote a sense of calm and purpose. We put great importance on the look & feel of the design, as we believe that form & function should be symmetrical for the software application to be successful.
How Do You Approach Mobile vs Desktop Designs?
While some products lend themselves to responsive design directly from the desktop browser, some definitely require hands-on adaption to scale in order to deliver the same functionality from one presentation model to the other. In projects where both are required, we generally tackle the desktop version first. Depending on the nature of the application, mobile can be embarked upon while desktop is still in development and they can be designed in tandem if there are time constraints.
We don't adhere to the "one-size-fits-all" scenario when it comes to designing both desktop and mobile UIs. Each environment is inherently different in terms of functional space and interaction, and should be designed separately so that we can deliver an experience that best serves each platform.
While responsive design can certainly take a desktop browser-sized application down to the size of a mobile phone screen, the question is… should you? We feel strongly that even when responsive design is deployed for a browser application, that you should never scale it down more than 1 design break. If you have to downscale the size more than 1 design break, it's best to deploy a mobile-centric version of the UI. This will deliver a far more favorable user experience to your end-users. With that said, we will always defer to our clients' wishes. We work for you.
A Social Media Mobile App, Light Mode Version - Designed by The Skins Factory
When Should You Hire a UI/UX Design Agency?
The right time to hire a UI/UX design agency is when design has become the thing holding your product back. That usually shows up as high churn or low engagement, users struggling through onboarding or failing to adopt features, an interface that looks dated next to competitors, or a product that is simply harder to use and demo than it should be. It is also the right time when you are building something new and want to get the experience right from the start rather than fixing it later.
An agency makes the most sense when you need senior, specialized design expertise without the cost and lead time of building an in-house team, when the work is too complex or too important to hand to a freelancer, or when an outside perspective is exactly what a stalled product needs. We break down the decision in detail in our guide on when to hire a software design consultant. If any of the following sound familiar, it is worth a conversation.
Trusted by global brands and clients across SaaS, Fintech & Healthtech. We were designing interfaces before "UX" was even a buzzword.
- 25+ years of experience
- Trusted by global brands, mid-size and startup clients
- Boutique, senior-level attention on every project
- Deep expertise in SaaS, Fintech, Healthtech & all enterprise software
- Proven ability to transform outdated products into modern, high-performing experiences
From redesigning legacy products to creating new ones. Our work directly impacts retention, activation, and revenue.
- Reduce churn and user drop-off
- Increase onboarding completion and activations
- Improve feature adoption and engagement
- Boost conversions and revenue
- Modernize outdated legacy user interfaces
We work best with teams who know something needs to change. Teams ready to turn their product into something that really stands out.
- Have a product with high churn or low engagement
- Struggle with onboarding or feature adoption
- Need to modernize an outdated interface
- Want to increase conversions & customer satisfaction
- Are building a new product and want to get it right the first time
Website Design Projects
Desktop vs Mobile Design
When designing a website, we design the desktop browser version first. This version will also serve as the layout for tablets, as Apple's Safari browser on iPad has been displaying full-sized websites for several years. For the mobile version of your website, we employ a responsive layout during the design phase. Our coders, or yours, will adapt the desktop version for mobile devices.
If you would like us to design a preview of the mobile design and add in mobile-specific assets / designs, we can provide this for an additional fee, as it requires extra time to create the layout and mobile-specific screens or menus. We can discuss this option during the proposal phase of the project.
The 4 Stages of Our Design Process
Stage 1
Discovery
In this stage, we spend time analyzing and deconstructing the documentation, any pre-existing wireframes or application screens - if applicable, conduct internal discussions regarding design direction & user experience, and external meetings with stakeholders. User Research and Interviews would fall under the Discovery stage if necessary.
Stage 2
Initial Prototype Design
Depending on the type of project, there are 2 ways we start…
1. Design Refresh
This is where we're redesigning the application you have, to make it look outstanding and function more intuitively than before. After an initial kick-off meeting via telephone, email or web conference, we begin prototyping the application's main layout, navigation and visual design language. This typically takes 5–10 business days. We typically use Sketch Workspace (or Figma if required) to post application images into a secure environment where both teams can comment. At the end of the project we'll turn ownership over to you.
2. From Scratch
This is where we're building the application UI/UX design from the ground up. Stage 2 takes longer than just a refresh — we'll create User Flow Maps and wireframes before designing the initial visual design. For an example of this type of project view here. Once the main candidate is approved, we move on to Stage 3.
Stage 3
Propagation
Once the final prototype is approved, The Skins Factory will work its way through the scope of work systematically - section by section, working closely with your team. The design language from the approved prototype will be adapted & deployed to the remaining screens, as we establish & enhance the ongoing interaction and user experience throughout the application.
Stage 4
Source File Assembly
Once Stage 3 has been completed & approved, the deliverables are organized into a core set of Sketch (or Adobe Photoshop CC .PSDs if preferred) ready for export by your code developers. These constitute the source files & final deliverables. No exportation of images from the source files or coding is involved by our Agency. We can use Figma if it's required.
Awards & Recognition
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