How are Toptal design directors different?

At Toptal, we thoroughly screen our design directors to ensure we only match you with talent of the highest caliber. Of the more than 200,000 people who apply to join the Toptal network each year, fewer than 3% make the cut. You’ll work with design experts (never generalized recruiters or HR reps) to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics. The end result: expert vetted talent from our network, custom matched to fit your business needs.

Can I hire design directors in less than 48 hours through Toptal?

Depending on availability and how fast you can progress, you could start working with a design director within 48 hours of signing up.

What is the no-risk trial period for Toptal design directors?

We make sure that each engagement between you and your design director begins with a trial period of up to two weeks. This means that you have time to confirm the engagement will be successful. If you’re completely satisfied with the results, we’ll bill you for the time and continue the engagement for as long as you’d like. If you’re not completely satisfied, you won’t be billed. From there, we can either part ways, or we can provide you with another expert who may be a better fit and with whom we will begin a second, no-risk trial.

Hire the Top 3% of Freelance Design Directors

Toptal is a marketplace for top design directors. Each Toptal design director is thoroughly vetted and trusted by top companies for their most critical design projects.

Hire a Top Design Director Now

No-Risk Trial, Pay Only If Satisfied.

Trusted by leading brands and startups

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Hire Freelance Design Directors

View Tom

Tom Koszyk

Freelance Design Director

Design, Mobile Design, iOS UI Design, UI Design, User Experience (UX), Visual Design, Web Design, Logo Design, User Interface (UI), Adobe Photoshop, Sketch 3, Mobile App Design, Mobile UX,

PolandToptal Member Since December 16, 2015

Tom is a digital product designer with more than 15 years of experience in this field, designing products (strategy, UX, and visuals), facilitating workshops, and leading design teams. He worked with companies of all sizes from various industries and taught design courses, including university courses. Tom believes that great products are not only useful, usable, and desirable, but also meet business requirements. He is a big believer in a process-driven approach to product creation.

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Rafael Castello

Freelance Design Director

Design, Adobe CC, Adobe Creative Suite, eCommerce, Website Redesign, Responsive, Design Systems, Websites, Campaign Design, Adobe Illustrator, UI Components, Use Cases, User Interface (UI),

United StatesToptal Member Since May 24, 2017

Rafael is a design leader with over 15 years of experience, working in New York for Pentagram, Droga5, BBDO, and Dentsu. His design practice is often informed by the most relevant art, media, and tech innovations; his aesthetic is minimalist, engaging, and playful. Rafael has designed for Fortune 500 brands such as Aesop, Chobani, Diet Coke, J&J, Oral-B, and Under Armour. He holds degrees from leading institutions in Europe and the United States.

Bruno Santiago

Freelance Design Director

Design, Creative Direction, Creative Strategy, UI Design, UX Design, Product Design, Conceptual Design, Brand Design, MVP Design,

CanadaToptal Member Since November 22, 2017

Bruno is an award-winning design-oriented product strategist, with a passion for digital transformation challenges. Over the past 20 years, he has gained experience in the following industries: Fintech, Travel, Automotive, FMCG, and Fashion.

Alex Engzell

Freelance Design Director

Design, UI Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Wireframing, Brand Guidelines, Product Design, Pitch Decks, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Creative Direction, Digital Design, Logo Design, Website Redesign,

SwedenToptal Member Since March 3, 2017

Alex has worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet, including Nike, Converse, Heineken, Vogue, and CoStar Group. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, and Communications Arts. With a hefty number of awards, 15 years of experience, and the philosophy of practicing what he preaches, Alex is known for his minimal and timeless designs. He thrives when working with bold brands and has a deep appreciation and understanding of the impact that great design can have.

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View Simon

Simon Moolman

Freelance Design Director

Design, InVision, Responsive UI, Wireframing, Campaign Design, App UI, Creative Direction, Mobile, eCommerce Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Identity Design, Sketch,

NetherlandsToptal Member Since January 24, 2017

Simon has more than 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He became an integral part of agencies, such as MC Saatchi, VML, and Ogilvy—where he led various creative teams. He has worked with the world's largest brands and transformed emerging brands into competitive entities. His focus is interactive and experience design. Simon constantly pursues meaningful storytelling through design that makes a difference in people's lives.

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THE TOPTAL ADVANTAGE

98% of Toptal clients choose to hire our talent after a risk-free trial.

Toptal's screening and matching process ensures exceptional talent are matched to your precise needs.

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Trustpilot

THE TOPTAL ADVANTAGE

98% of Toptal clients choose to hire our talent after a risk-free trial.

Toptal's screening and matching process ensures exceptional talent are matched to your precise needs.

Start Hiring

Toptal in the press

... allows corporations to quickly assemble teams that have the right skills for specific projects.

Despite accelerating demand for coders, Toptal prides itself on almost Ivy League-level vetting.

Our clients

Creating an app for the game

Leading a digital transformation

Building a cross-platform app to be used worldwide

Drilling into real-time data creates an industry game changer

Testimonials

Michael is an incredible designer, and has been a great fit for our project. He just gets it in a way that can’t be taught. My goal was to pay Toptal to find me a high quality designer for my project, and that is exactly what happened. It was easy. Being able to see the portfolio work on Toptal’s platform is what gave me the infomation I needed to choose Michael. I have nothing but good things to say about Toptal and am looking forward to using Toptal for other projects in the future.

Edward Daniel

Co-Founder

I've worked very closely with Martina for over a year and have to say she is one of the best people I have ever worked with. Instead of simply following instructions blindly, she thinks through the task at hand, becoming a thought partner to help with whatever the project may be. Besides being super talented at design, she possesses specific qualities that make her exceptional to work with given the fast paced nature of being a startup. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a talented, professional designer who doesn't need much direction to hit the ground running.

Sahil Khanna

Sr. Manager, Marketing

Darko did a great job figuring out the user architecture for our concept, which led him to produce terrific wireframes. His knowledge of usability and design was a perfect match for the outside voice we needed to help jumpstart our project. We would certainly recommend him and work with him again in the future.

Rich Danker

Founder

Carlos has the unique talent of blending both quantitative and qualitative research to keenly identify UX challenges and opportunities. He thinks methodically, emphatically, and holistically to produce data-driven strategies and well-executed designs. Over the past 8 years of working with fully or partially distributed teams, Carlos manages working remotely far better than anyone I've encountered because of his strong communication and presentation skills. He is the first on my list the next time I need a UX designer.

Michelle Krogmeier

Project Manager

Rafael is an amazing designer. His aesthetic sense is spot on, and he seems to be able to anticipate our needs before we even know what they are. He's taken the time to understand both our company and our clientele, and his solutions are consistently in-line with our values, interests, and our customers' needs. He delivers on time (if not earlier), works quickly, is well organized, and very effective. He's a pleasure to work with, and we're very happy to have found him through Toptal.

Ethan Brooks

CTO

How to Hire Design Directors through Toptal

Talk to One of Our Industry Experts

A Toptal director of design will work with you to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics.

Work With Hand-Selected Talent

Within days, we'll introduce you to the right design director for your project. Average time to match is under 24 hours.

The Right Fit, Guaranteed

Work with your new design director for a trial period (pay only if satisfied), ensuring they're the right fit before starting the engagement.

Find Experts With Related Skills

Access a vast pool of skilled designers in our talent network and hire the top 3% within just 48 hours.

Creative Directors Design Leads Principle Designers Art Direction Experts Digital Designers Brand Designers Conceptual Designers

FAQs

How are Toptal design directors different?
At Toptal, we thoroughly screen our design directors to ensure we only match you with talent of the highest caliber. Of the more than 200,000 people who apply to join the Toptal network each year, fewer than 3% make the cut. You’ll work with design experts (never generalized recruiters or HR reps) to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics. The end result: expert vetted talent from our network, custom matched to fit your business needs.
Can I hire design directors in less than 48 hours through Toptal?
Depending on availability and how fast you can progress, you could start working with a design director within 48 hours of signing up.
What is the no-risk trial period for Toptal design directors?
We make sure that each engagement between you and your design director begins with a trial period of up to two weeks. This means that you have time to confirm the engagement will be successful. If you’re completely satisfied with the results, we’ll bill you for the time and continue the engagement for as long as you’d like. If you’re not completely satisfied, you won’t be billed. From there, we can either part ways, or we can provide you with another expert who may be a better fit and with whom we will begin a second, no-risk trial.

Tap Into World-Class Talent

Trusted Experts Only
All of our talent are seasoned experts who ramp up quickly, readily contribute as core team members, and work with you to minimize onboarding time.
The Right Fit
We have a knack for matching you with the right fit. Start working with your new hire on a no-risk trial period, paying only if satisfied.
Scale as Needed
Hire talent within 48 hours and scale your team up or down as needed, no strings attached.
Seamless Hiring
We handle all aspects of billing, payments, and NDA’s. Let us take care of the overhead while you focus on building great products.
Flexible Engagements
Choose the engagement type that suits your needs — hourly, part-time, or full-time — with the ability to change anytime.
Expert Talent Matching
Focus on your project and enjoy support from your dedicated account executive and expert talent matcher.