Frequently Asked Questions

A Look at the Design Process

The Top Questions Our UI/UX Design Studio Gets Asked Frequently: Insights You Need to Know.

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 PROTOYPE 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 with our client via telephone, email or web conference, we begin prototyping the application’s main layout, navigation and visual design language, along with quantifying the ease-of-use of the interaction & experience design. This typically takes 5-10 business days, depending on the application’s complexity. Once The Skins Factory has a viable prototype candidate(s) they are presented to the client for review, where your team will have a chance to decide which direction to take the main screen and whatever modifications are needed. We typically use an online prototyping tool called InVision. This allows us to post the application images into a secure environment, where both teams can comment to one another. At the end of the project we’ll turn ownership over to you, so you can refer back to notes and comments.

2. From Scratch - This is where we’re building the application UI/UX design from the ground up:
If we’re starting from nothing, then Stage 2 takes longer than just a refresh. It’s in this Stage where we’ll create User Flow Maps and wireframes before designing the initial visual design. For an example of this type of project view here. It’s during Stage 2 we explore the fundamental underlying DNA for the visual design language. Once the main candidate is approved, we move on to Stage 3: Propagation.

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.

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 the ideation to realization. If we were to provide these concepts without being awarded the project, our Design Team would essentially be working for 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. Contact Us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Skins Factory Code?

We do not… but we work closely with a local studio that does.

To provide our clients with full-service solutions, we have partnered with a local software development and staffing company 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. We own design and user experience. They handle engineering and code delivery. Together, we turn your best ideas into reliable, production ready products that drive tangible business results. Simply reach out to us and we will introduce you.

Development Services Include

Artificial Intelligence & ML Development • LLM & Agentic AI • Enterprise & SaaS Development • Full-Stack Web Development • Front-End Staff Augmentation • Mobile App Development (iOS & Android) • Blockchain-Based App & Platform Development • Cloud & Security Solutions • Business Intelligence & Data Analytics • Technology & Software Consulting • DevOps • Product Roadmapping • Legacy Modernization • Third-Party Product Integration & Automations

Industries They Serve

Software companies • Enterprise (SaaS, ERP, CRM, BI, SCM, HRM, LMS) • Healthcare, HealthTech, Pharmaceuticals, Medical, & Fitness • FinTech, Digital Banking & Cryptocurrency Platforms • Cybersecurity & Risk Management • Data & Networking Technology • Communications & Telecom • Real Estate & Hospitality • EduTech • Media, Gaming & Entertainment companies & more.

PLATFORMS They Develop FOR

Desktop Applications (Windows, Mac, Linux) • Browser Applications (Web) • Mobile Applications (iOS & Android) • Cross-Platform Apps • Kiosk (Retail) & PoS Systems • Smart TV & Gaming Consoles • Wearable Device Interfaces • Smart Home Devices & Industrial Control Interfaces (Embedded Devices, IoT) • Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) & more.

CODING & TECHNOLOGY EXPERTISE

Python • .NET • ASP.NET • React • Golang • Angular • JavaScript • TypeScript • Next.js • Nestjs • Node.js • PHP • Laravel • Bootstrap • Java • Kotlin • Dart • Unity • Django • Ruby on Rails • Flutter • Vue.js • Three.js • Swift • C# • C++ • Objective-C • Microsoft Azure • Power BI • Salesforce • AWS

Project Expansion + Costs

How do you cost out projects?

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 24+ 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.

•For U.S. Clients, we require a non-refundable retainer before we start of 50% of the total project cost. The remaining 50% is due upon completion of the project and before we turn over the final source files. In the cases of startups, we may require    a non-refundable retainer of 50% when we start and the remaining 50% due before we start the 2nd half of the project. We will discuss the break point for the 2nd half milestone.

•For non-U.S. Clients & Startups, we use a multiple retainer system. We require a non-refundable retainer of 50% when we start and the remaining 50% due before we start the 2nd half of the project. We will discuss the break point for the 2nd half milestone.

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 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.

Website Design Projects

Desktop/Tablet vs Mobile Design

When designing a website, we design the desktop browser version. 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.

Initial Project Start

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.

Design Methodology

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.

What do you think differentiates you from others in your industry?

Few studios can match The Skins Factory’s experience of our user experience designers or the consistent quality of our work. This is why we display large, bold examples of our UI/UX, Web & Brand Identity design work in our portfolios and across our website. We think our work stands out from the crowd - we’re trend-setters. We always have been. We see past current design trends and endeavor to take the design further, so that our clients can use our designs for a longer period of time - thus giving our clients a better ROI. A ROI even greater than what Forester Research has found:

“Forester Research shows that, on average, every dollar invested in UX brings 100 dollars in return. That’s an ROI of a whopping 9,900 percent.”

— FORBES.COM

We know that good interaction and user experience design means you shouldn’t have to read a manual to understand how to use an application. Your end-users lead busy lives, and a great user interface needs to get out of the way, so they can get their work done as quickly as possible. That’s what we deliver.

Most importantly, we love what we do. 

If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact us. We never charge to cost out your project like others do. We’ve been at this for over 2 decades and there isn’t much we haven’t seen. A scope of work written on a cocktail napkin? Seen it. Now we haven’t seen anything written in crayon, but that’s probably just a matter of time. So contact us and let’s discuss what you’re working on.

Awards & Recognition