I first interviewed with the recruiter, which was a standard Skype interview, and then was given a design challenge. it had extremely vague instructions, but I completed it nonetheless, being sure to document my process and include final mockups. I then received an email from the recruiter saying they were hoping for more of a UI emphasis. I had sent final UI designs so I wasn't sure what that meant, and asked to have a call to clarify. I had a call with the recruiter and one of the engineers bringing up questions and explanations to the work I had done, and the common response was "oh, yeah good point. I hadn't thought of that." Despite all of that, after the call the recruiter asked me if I wanted to give the challenge another try. I had redesigned the entire website, and honestly did not have the time even if I did see the purpose. I had clearly showed my design process, so if that was the goal as the challenge said (and not to say, get free work), I didn't find it necessary and asked not to be considered for the role. A month and a half later I got an email asking to talk. Finally, three emails later the recruiter explained that the design challenge was on my portfolio as an example and management wasn't comfortable with that since it wasn't implemented work but had their branding. Not even that they want the challenge to be a surprise, or that they need me to emphasize the fact that it was a design challenge. The recruiter suggested I keep the work up but take out the branding and name. On a DESIGN project of their engineering website (mind you, this was after them saying they had hoped for more of UI focus during the interview process). And I had clearly stated it as a challenge, not as work I had been contracted to do. If this was so important why not say so in the first email instead of waiting until January? Nothing about this company or process made an ounce of sense. Overall, the worst interview process I have ever experienced- incredibly disorganized. I feel badly for the recruiter because it was clear no one on their end knew what was going on. I wish I had removed my candidacy earlier than I did.