UI designers are often compared to graphic designers by clients who do not understand the difference. Interface design requires understanding interaction patterns, component architecture, and developer handoff in ways that print and brand design do not. Your rate should reflect that specialisation.
// frequently asked questions
Should I charge per screen or by the hour for app design?
Per-screen pricing works well when the scope is clearly defined and the screens are relatively independent. It breaks down quickly on complex apps where screens share components and states. For most app design projects, a hybrid approach works best: quote the project as a fixed price based on your estimated hours, but structure the contract around screens and flows as milestones rather than hours as line items.
How do I price Figma component library work?
Component library work is a project with a defined scope: the number of components, their variants, and the documentation. Break down the library into tiers (atoms, molecules, organisms) and estimate each tier separately. A well-documented component library for a mid-size product typically runs 80-150 hours. Quote it as a project with a maintenance phase option, because component libraries need ongoing updates as the product evolves.
How do I justify a higher rate than graphic designers?
The justification is in the output's complexity and the skills required. Interface design requires understanding interaction states, accessibility standards, responsive behaviour, and developer handoff in ways that print or brand design does not. If a client compares your rate to a graphic designer's, walk them through what a UI file actually contains: components, variants, auto-layout, prototypes, and annotations. That is not a Photoshop file.
What billable percentage should I plan for as a UI designer?
UI designers typically bill 60-70% of working hours. Design reviews, stakeholder presentations, and iteration cycles that do not produce new screens take real time. Build them into your rate rather than absorbing them as goodwill.
// how does UI designer pricing compare to product designer?
UI designers focus on the visual interface layer.
Product designers span a broader scope that includes UX research, information architecture, and product strategy input alongside the visual work. At the senior level, product designers command higher rates because the role is harder to define, harder to replace, and more deeply embedded in how a product team makes decisions. If you do both, price by the engagement type, not a single blended rate.