Crowdsource design through contest platforms to get multiple options without hiring
Use design contest platforms like 99designs where dozens of designers compete to create your UI from sketches. Upload rough paper sketches with feature descriptions and receive 50-70+ professional design submissions. This gives you multiple creative directions to choose from at a fixed price, much cheaper than hiring a full-time designer.
When to use
When you have zero design skills, limited budget, and want to see multiple design directions before committing. Especially useful for mobile apps or products where UI is critical but you can't afford a designer.
Don't do this
Hiring a single freelance designer without seeing alternatives, or trying to design it yourself when you lack design skills. Spending months learning design tools instead of outsourcing to professionals.
1 Founder Who Did This
Used 99designs to crowdsource UI from hand-drawn sketches, received 50-70+ professional submissions