I disagree. It's impossible to tell from a screenshot how long something took.
I could easily recreate that screenshot in a couple hours in photoshop - but that doesn't mean it TOOK a couple hours in photoshop.
The majority of design is thinking through how the app will be used, researching similar apps, figuring out intended user goals, etc etc. Then theres a long process of experimentation until you get to a point where you're comfortable to send it to the client.
Looking at that design makes me think the designer is fresh out of school. Lack of a real understanding for client management and asking the client real hard questions about strategy and long term goals. A bunch of whiners, get over it learn to handle your clients better.
Sure. 5 hours @ somewhere between $67-20/hour* is $337-$100. Since the post doesn't mention a specific amount, we have no way of knowing if their bill was for more or less... all we can guess is it was > $100 (three $'s used when blanking the price).
That seems pretty reasonable to me for a professional freelance design from scratch like that. I normally expect individual pages to cost in the range of $1k from scratch.
Whoa $780 for that design? I personally would not have even charged for that preliminary design. Why are you designing any way. Where are the rough sketches and wireframes? Did you not learn that in school? Wireframes first, then discuss with management to get a better understanding of the underlying goals and objectives. Get them on the phone and ask lots of questions about the company, management, customers and the overall scope of the project.
I could easily recreate that screenshot in a couple hours in photoshop - but that doesn't mean it TOOK a couple hours in photoshop.
The majority of design is thinking through how the app will be used, researching similar apps, figuring out intended user goals, etc etc. Then theres a long process of experimentation until you get to a point where you're comfortable to send it to the client.