How to hire a designer for your startup (And the #1 trait most startups overlook)
When hiring a designer for your startup, what’s the first thing you look at?
Their portfolio? Years of experience? Famous clients?
After interviewing 36 hiring managers at AI and tech startups, one surprising answer came up again and again:
Trust beats talent.
In this guide, we’ll break down why trust is the #1 trait to look for when hiring a designer and how to assess it early in the hiring process so you avoid wasted time and missed deadlines.
Why trust matters more than design skills
Startups move fast. You need designers who not only deliver quality work but do so reliably, consistently, and without drama.
Here’s what startup leaders told us:
“I know my designer isn’t the best… but I trust him.”
“If I’m constantly chasing updates, it’s a no from me.”
“Anyone can make things look good. I’m looking for someone who makes my life easier.”
Why is trust such a big deal?
A stellar portfolio means nothing if they ghost mid project.
Big name clients won’t help if they can’t hit your deadlines
Even great visual skills fall flat if they don’t communicate well
Startups need design partners they can count on, not just pretty pixels.
7 ways to assess a designer’s reliability (before you hire them)
1. Evaluate communication from day one
Responsive, clear, and proactive communication is a strong predictor of reliability
What to look for:
Prompt, thoughtful responses
Clarifying questions that show understanding
Initiative in sharing updates
Red flags:
Vague replies or ghosting
Delayed or inconsistent communication
Test idea: Send a simple request and see how fast and clearly they reply
2. Look for consistency in their portfolio
Don't just judge the highlights, look at the full picture
What to look for:
Steady quality across projects
Real world outcomes (not just visual polish)
Design rationale explained clearly
Red flags:
Major quality gaps across projects
Portfolio full of personal or speculative work only
Test idea: Ask them to walk you through a project and explain the business impact
3. Verify availability and workload
A common cause of failure is overpromising. Vet their schedule
What to look for:
Clear, honest answers about current workload
Timeline transparency from the start
Red flags:
Says yes without checking availability
Commits to tight deadlines too quickly
Test idea: Ask follow up questions before hiring to gauge their bandwidth
4. Assess their problem solving mindset
The best designers don’t just execute, they think
What to look for:
Asks why before executing
Offers strategic input, not just designs
Connects visual work to user and business goals
Red flags:
Blindly follows directions
Struggles with ambiguous challenges
Test idea: Ask “How would you improve signups on this landing page?”
5. Check for repeat clients and referrals
Client loyalty signals a good working relationship and trust
What to look for:
Long term or repeat clients
Testimonials or references
Measurable impact over time
Red flags:
Only one time projects
No client feedback or referrals
Test idea: Ask “Can you share an example of a client you worked with more than once?”
6. Observe how they handle feedback
Design is iterative. How they receive and act on feedback matters
What to look for:
Open to input
Clarifies before changing
Improves without ego
Red flags:
Gets defensive
Ignores or misinterprets feedback
Blindly applies changes
Test idea: Offer minor feedback in the interview and observe their reaction
7. Start with a low risk test project
Before a big commitment, test them under real conditions
What to look for:
Consistent quality
Timely delivery
Proactive communication
Red flags:
Missed deadlines
Communication breakdowns
Rushed or low effort output
Tip: A 3 day test project is usually enough to spot future problems
Bonus tip: trust your intuition
Your gut often processes red flags before your brain does. If something feels off, it probably is
You’re not just hiring a designer. You’re hiring a collaborator. And collaboration requires trust
Conclusion: Trust first. Talent follows.
Great portfolios can be faked. Trust cannot.
That’s why we built Team&Tonic, a curated network of the world’s top 0.8% freelance designers. Designers who don’t just look good on paper but also show up, communicate, and deliver every time.
If you want to go deeper before making a hiring decision, Scale&Tonic gives you access to seasoned fractional design directors and C-level mentors who can help you assess your needs, evaluate candidates, or guide your team through early design strategy.
Start working with vetted designers you can actually trust.
Book a mentorship session through Scale&Tonic.