This topic was just brought to my attention (Xenfous isn't actually ready for the public just yet so I didn't think anything would be posted, but thank you for the pre-release promotion anyway).
Firstly I'd just like to say that all my respect goes to current xenforo designers. Every designer has their own style and fan base, so "the best designer" is definitely open to opinion. Kim (who is most definitely a "professional" skinner) employed me when I first started skinning years ago on a successful skinning site of hers for IPB. Even though we both had extremely different styles, all skins on that site were a hit and by the sounds of it, she's a great asset for Xenforo. If anyone hasn't done so already, please check out
her site. I only decided to start my own xenforo skinning site because I had a lot of xenforo customers requesting conversions of my IPB skins.
Rather than this be a debate over the best designer though, it's better to look at all designers as part of one group helping to make Xenforo more appealing to new and existing customers (especially those creating free products). Graeme (Deus) and I are simply entering the market hoping to fill any gaps that current designers have not yet filled. A bit of friendly competition raises the bar for all designers and ultimately results in the creation of even more amazing skins for xenforo customers.