10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web3 Design Studio

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web3 Design Studio

Hiring the right design studio can unlock your entire product. The wrong one? It can delay launches, confuse users, and cost you serious traction.

In Web3, the stakes are even higher. You’re not just designing a website—you’re designing trust, onboarding, and interfaces that manage real money.

Here are the 10 questions we recommend every founder, PM, or team ask before hiring a Web3 design studio.

1. Have you designed for wallets, tokens, or smart contracts before?

This filters out studios who only say they do Web3.

Look for teams that:

• Know how to handle wallet connect, approvals, gas

• Have worked with DeFi, NFT, or DAO projects

• Understand how blockchain logic impacts UX

✅ Bonus points: Ask about specific chains, wallets, or SDKs they've worked with.

2. Can I see some case studies or real product outcomes?

You’re not looking for pretty screens—you’re looking for proof.

Good answers include:

• Before/after comparisons

• Stats like increased conversions or user feedback

• Testimonials from crypto-native teams

3. What’s your UX process—especially for Web3 flows?

Ask how they approach:

• Wallet interactions

• Onboarding

• Transaction flows

• Error/recovery UX

You want a partner who starts with user flows, not just visuals.

4. Do you understand multi-chain complexity?

Ask:

• How do you handle chain switching?

• How do you design for cross-chain tokens or bridging?

• Have you worked with Layer 2s or app chains?

⚠️ Red flag: They ask you to explain it to them.

5. How do you handle UX for non-technical or first-time users?

Mainstream adoption means designing for non-crypto users.

Look for:

• Experience designing embedded wallets, social logins, or abstracted flows

• Real onboarding strategy—not just UI tips

6. Who will I actually be working with?

Many studios pitch you with a founder or creative director, then hand you off to junior staff.

Ask:

• Will the senior team be hands-on?

• How involved is the design director or founder?

7. How do you collaborate with product and engineering teams?

Web3 products are fast-moving. You want a studio that:

• Communicates clearly

• Works in tools like Figma, Notion, Linear

• Can speak to engineers and understand smart contract implications

8. How do you handle handoff and design documentation?

A polished UI is only half the battle—handoff matters.

Ask if they:

• Deliver design systems or component libraries

• Provide specs and flows for devs

• Support handoff meetings or QA rounds

9. What’s your availability and project model?

Some studios only do short sprints. Others work on retainers.

Ask:

• Are you available full-time or part-time?

• What’s your typical timeline for an MVP?

• Do you offer ongoing support post-launch?

10. Why do you specialize in Web3?

This one’s personal. But it tells you a lot.

You want a team that’s:

• Invested in the space

• Thoughtful about the design challenges unique to crypto

• Genuinely excited about the product you're building

TL;DR

Before hiring a Web3 design studio, ask:

• Do they have real crypto product experience?

• How do they handle UX complexity like wallets and chains?

• Who will you work with, and what’s the actual process?

• Can they back up the visuals with outcomes and strategy?

At Halaska, we’ve worked with leading Web3 teams on everything from wallets and DeFi to AI x blockchain tools. We know the space—and we know how to help you stand out in it.

Want answers to these questions from us directly? [Let’s talk →]