[sgdesign]

Agreed, but the problem is that a lot of young startups simply don't have those skills at all. So for the first hire, they can't afford to get someone inexperienced since there won't be anybody that can mentor them.

Add to this the number of new startups getting launched these days, and you can see why senior designers are so in demand.

[superkinz]

Exactly, the existing team really needs to be able to carry that person for the first six months before they start becoming really productive.

[alexro]

and after 6 month of coaching those newly formed professionals suddenly realise their value on the market has increased dramatically ...