A couple of our developers have design backgrounds, but since none of the WPF tools are on MSDN, we won't be switching any time soon.  Even in small shops, having someone with design/UI skills is really helpful when it comes to user buy-in.  If the app does what it needs to do and it looks cool, users are a lot more willing to learn the new app.  We noticed our apps were much more easily accepted when we started building apps that didn't look like they were made for Windows 95.

It sure seems that microsoft is slowing/killing the adaption of WPF by not putting the WPF tools on MSDN subscriptions.  We would LOVE to switch to it, but after signing up all the devs on MSDN, mgmt doesn't want to buy additional MS tools.  I'm starting to understand why people refer to MS as M$.  I hate it, but sometimes it fits.  It pains me to say that too as I am a huge fan of MS products.