Top 5 UI/UX Design Agencies In The World — September 2024
Finding the exemplary user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) agency for your digital product design can take time since so many companies offer this service.
Updated September 17, 2024
The design and user-friendliness of a website or app greatly influence first impressions, making UX design essential. Top UX designers create exceptional user experiences, but finding skilled professionals can be challenging, especially for companies unfamiliar with design. Evaluating and comparing top UX agencies can help identify leading firms known for their innovative projects and contributions to the design community.
Why Is Good UI/UX Design Important?
In today’s competitive market, customers expect seamless experiences, making UI and UX design crucial for product development. Poor usability can drive them to competitors, while intuitive design enhances brand image and customer retention. Effective UI/UX design simplifies purchasing, boosts engagement, and increases sales. A smooth experience fosters brand credibility and loyalty. Even a one-second delay can significantly impact customer satisfaction and conversions. Consistent interactions across platforms enhance user journeys, as seen with General Electric’s estimated $30 million savings.
When hiring a user experience agency, evaluate your project needs and expectations. Key considerations include:
Local vs. Remote
Local firms offer better communication and cultural insights but can be expensive. Remote options may be cheaper but often lead to misunderstandings and longer timelines. Offshore agencies can help with budget constraints but may complicate communication due to time zone differences.
Small vs. Large
Choose based on the services you need. Full-service agencies are ideal for extensive projects, while boutique firms offer personalized attention and quicker turnaround. Large firms have more resources but may charge more and provide limited direct contact.
Cost vs. Quality
Set a realistic budget, as good UX design can exceed $100,000. Review portfolios and meet with potential agencies to assess fit. After discussions, draft a request for proposal (RFP) and ensure the proposal aligns with your project goals.
Top 5 UI/UX Design Agencies — September 2024:
This list features agencies selected for their proven track records, strong portfolios, client satisfaction, detailed case studies, and diversity. They represent global options and specialize in various industries and services, ensuring innovative and impactful design solutions.
These are the top 5 UX design agencies (all five are top-notch) that have the best UX designers to make your choice easier:
1. Clay
A global web design, branding, and UI/UX design agency
Based in San Francisco, Clay is an experienced, professional UI/UX design agency offering digital strategy, world-class branding, and UX design. Clay is one of the best UX agencies; its past work backs this up. This agency works with tech giants and enjoys working with newly founded companies and startups.
Effective visual design principles are integral to Clay’s approach, enhancing usability while balancing aesthetics and functionality for optimal performance in digital interfaces.
Best for: Clay is an excellent choice for tech-centric businesses, especially startups and established companies in cutting-edge sectors like FinTech, eCommerce, and Web3 that need sophisticated UI/UX design. Their experience working with industry leaders such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon, combined with their enthusiasm for collaborating with newly founded companies, positions them uniquely in the market. Clay’s comprehensive service offerings, spanning from user research to full-stack development, make them a versatile partner for companies seeking end-to-end digital solutions.
Key features that distinguish Clay include their deep specialization in tech, which gives them unique insights into designing UI/UX that perfectly suits tech companies’ needs. Their ability to contribute to a startup’s holistic growth by developing the user interface, experience, and brand strategy demonstrates their value as a strategic partner.
Notable Clients:
- DFINITY — The partnership between Clay Global and DFINITY resulted in a visually captivating website that effectively showcases the organization’s global computer vision. Clay created an engaging platform for new users using dynamic motion design, bold color schemes, and custom illustrations.
- Snapchat—Through their collaboration with Snapchat, Clay developed an innovative user interface for AR technology, allowing for seamless shopping experiences. The interface uses voice and gesture control and consistent tutorial animations, making it user-friendly for all levels of users.
- Slack—Clay’s work with Slack resulted in an interactive demo that serves as the company’s primary sales tool. Focusing on efficient onboarding and responsive design, the demo effectively showcases Slack’s communication-centered product.
Founded: 2016
Headquarters: San Francisco
Pricing: $$$
Team Size: 50–100 people
Industries: FinTech, eCommerce, technology, startups, food & beverage, telecommunications, healthcare, B2B, Web3, finance, retail, logistics
Capabilities: UI/UX design, motion design, full-stack development, UX research, CX & interaction design, web design
Portfolio: https://clay.global/work
Socials: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
Feel free to contact Clay at hey@clay.global with any inquiries or information.
2. IDEO
UX design with a focus on doing better
Design means little without a solid vision, and IDEO has covered that aspect. The agency is focused on making the changes needed to make the world a better place — and most importantly, it thinks that design plays a vital role in that.
It applies these services to many sectors, including consumer goods, hospitality, and financial services.
Best for: IDEO’s approach proves particularly valuable for large corporations aiming to adapt to global challenges and implement positive changes, as demonstrated by its work with H&M and Ford. Organizations in sectors like healthcare, education, finance, and non-profits that require human-centered design solutions to complex problems will find IDEO’s services especially relevant.
IDEO has studios worldwide, including San Francisco, London, and Tokyo, and applies a global approach to everything it does. Another fundamental principle of its approach is human-centered design, ensuring that every project meets the needs of its users. Its focus on creating positive societal impact through design sets it apart in the industry.
Notable Clients:
- American Express — Through a collaboration with IDEO, American Express has successfully developed Pay It Plan It — a feature enabling card members to split large purchases into smaller monthly payments without interest. This innovative solution caters to the preferences of millennial and Generation Z audiences, providing them with greater control and flexibility in their payment options.
- Digital Services Georgia — IDEO partnered with Digital Services Georgia to revamp its platform and create a more cohesive, reliable, and uniquely Georgian experience for citizens. This project resulted in developing a versatile digital design system and brand identity that caters to the diverse needs of the state’s public.
- Beyond 12—In collaboration with Beyond 12, IDEO designed and expanded a coaching model that leverages technology to support first-generation college students. The result was the creation of MyCoach, an app that serves as a college co-pilot for students, offering assistance with everything from financial aid to connecting with peers for inspiration and motivation.
Founded: 1991
Headquarters: San Francisco
Pricing: $$$$+
Team Size: 600
Industries: healthcare, education, finance, startups, retail, technology, non-profit
Capabilities: UI/UX design, UX research, product design, consulting
Portfolio: https://www.ideo.com/work
Socials: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
If you want to get in touch with IDEO, you can visit their website at https://www.ideo.com/contact
3. Big Human
An NYC-based UX design and digital product studio
Big Human is based in New York and offers full service, including digital strategy, design, development, and branding. This user experience agency focuses on digital products and is considered one of the best UX design companies. UI/UX agencies like Big Human provide various deliverables, emphasising the importance of established research and design processes to create user-centric products.
Best for: Big Human expertise is especially valuable for companies in diverse industries, such as B2B, eCommerce, Web3, and entertainment, looking to create innovative digital products or enhance their existing digital presence. The agency’s holistic approach, combining digital strategy, design, development, and branding, makes it an ideal partner for organizations aiming to deliver seamless and engaging user experiences across various platforms.
Key features that set Big Human apart include their New York-based team of highly experienced UX designers who bring a balanced perspective encompassing creative, business, and engineering needs. Their strong focus on usability, information architecture, and creative visual elements in interaction design ensures that clients receive comprehensive, aesthetically pleasing, and functionally robust solutions.
Notable Clients:
- Netflix — With a focus on accessibility and user experience, the digital studio worked closely with Netflix to design a centralized website that effectively showcases the company’s assets and values to diverse audiences.
- Quinn — In collaboration with Quinn, Big Human revamped the audio-first platform’s website and mobile app, incorporating personalized features based on user feedback while staying true to the brand’s fun and youthful identity.
- Carnegie Hall—The agency enhanced the design styles of Carnegie Hall’s educational programs, including their Musical Explorers and Orchestra maps. Through optimization for various devices, minimal text, high-quality media, and JavaScript animation, the team successfully created visually engaging content that enhances the user experience.
Founded: 2010
Headquarters: New York
Pricing: $$$$+
Team Size: 50–100 people
Industries: B2B, food & beverage, Web3, fashion, telecommunications, hospitality, education, healthcare, eCommerce
Capabilities: UI/UX design, UX research, full-stack development, illustration, web and app development
Portfolio: https://www.bighuman.com/work
Socials: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
For any inquiries or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Big Human through their website at https://www.bighuman.com/contact-us.
4. Doberman
A digital innovation and UX design firm
Cutting-edge creativity, longevity, and experience combined with this Scandinavian UX design studio founded in 1998. This design company has offices in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Oslo and a partnered studio in Brooklyn. They offer a transformative, chic approach to UX design, made evident in their impressive portfolio.
Best for: Doberman is particularly well-suited for forward-thinking businesses and organizations seeking innovative, transformative design solutions across various industries. Their expertise is especially valuable for companies in technology, education, finance, and healthcare sectors looking to create cutting-edge digital products or revolutionize their user experiences. The agency’s Scandinavian design heritage and global presence make it an ideal choice for international businesses that blend sleek aesthetics with functional, user-centered designs.
Doberman ability to apply UX principles beyond digital interfaces to areas like urban living infrastructure showcases their versatility and innovative approach. Doberman comprehensive service offerings, from product design to business transformation, position them as a holistic partner for companies seeking to elevate their digital presence and user experience.
- MoMA — The agency helped revamp the iconic Museum of Modern Art brand by designing a new logo and visual identity that embodies its dedication to contemporary art and global influence.
- IBM — Doberman provided visual system guidelines for tech giant IBM, bringing a cohesive, modern, and human-centered aesthetic to their digital and physical touchpoints.
- Pearson—The UX studio collaborated with education company Pearson to create Aida, the world’s first AI-driven tool for calculus education. This project showcased their expertise in product design and branding, as Aida received praise for its intuitive interface and effectiveness in helping students learn complex mathematical concepts.
Founded: 1998
Headquarters: Oslo
Pricing: $$$$+
Team Size: 100–150 people
Industries: technology, telecommunications, education, finance, eCommerce, healthcare
Capabilities: UI/UX design, UX research, CX strategy, product design, business design & transformation, service & industrial design
Portfolio: https://doberman.co/work
Socials: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
If you have any inquiries or would like to collaborate with Doberman, you can reach out to them at hello@doberman.ey.com
5. Code & Theory
A UX design and digital creative agency
This primarily digital innovative firm has offices in San Francisco, New York, London, and Manila, Philippines. Their practical, successful approach to design ensures success with every project. The top UX designers at Code and Theory and the digital ecosystems offer excellent results.
Best for: Code and Theory suits businesses seeking innovative digital solutions that leverage cutting-edge technology and creative strategies. Their expertise is particularly valuable for companies in diverse sectors such as B2B, eCommerce, healthcare, and Web3, especially those aiming to revolutionize their digital presence or create groundbreaking digital products. Their approach is well-suited for organizations looking to integrate advanced technological developments into their design solutions, making them an excellent choice for businesses at the forefront of digital innovation.
Key features that set Code and Theory apart include their global presence with offices in major tech hubs, allowing them to tap into diverse talent and perspectives. Their focus on basing creative solutions and web design strategies on technological developments and digital platforms leads to innovative outcomes. Their comprehensive service offerings, ranging from UX design to business consulting and design transformation, position them as a versatile partner capable of addressing multifaceted digital challenges and opportunities.
Notable Clients:
- TikTok—Code and Theory’s collaboration with TikTok successfully consolidated their web ecosystem. By enhancing site functionality, the popular video-sharing app was able to attract more advertisers and increase its revenue.
- Meta for Business — The agency’s work with Meta for Business focused on creating a user-friendly central hub for all their products and resources. This improved accessibility and organization for marketing, advertising, and business purposes.
- Pfizer — Code and Theory partnered with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to revamp their global intranet, providing a personalized subscription system for employees. The new design aimed to inspire and engage employees on the platform, ultimately increasing productivity and communication within the company.
Founded: 2001
Headquarters: New York
Pricing: $$$$+
Team Size: 500+ people
Industries: B2B, education, fashion, telecommunications, eCommerce, hospitality, healthcare, Web3
Capabilities: UI/UX design, UX research, content strategy, product design, business consulting, design transformation
Portfolio: https://www.codeandtheory.com/things-we-make
Socials: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
Contact Code and Theory for all your business inquiries at newbiz@codeandtheory.com
What Types of Top UX Design Agencies Exist?
User experience design studios act as consultants for companies and assist in understanding audiences, researching the market, creating branding, and building digital products such as mobile apps, websites, and software. Top UX firms are recognized for their design capabilities and contributions to education and community engagement, such as hosting courses, writing publications, and giving talks at industry events. However, the field has nuances. Each user experience company may specialize in a specific area of expertise, while larger companies may offer all-encompassing services.
There are four main types of user experience agencies:
- UX research agencies: Use data to inform a company about its audience and provide insights about how best to reach them. They may even create user personas for user testing and help companies create a targeted strategy for achieving these customers.
- UX/UI design consultancies: They are experts in the field who can assist a company in forming the best approach and creating great strategies that will appeal most to its clients.
- UI/UX design agencies: Take a more general approach, doing enough user experience research to develop a process and design appropriate for the desired audience. They’ll also test these designs to ensure they work as planned and make changes as necessary.
- Full-service design firms: These firms combine all of the above, helping with everything from user research to strategy, design, user testing, and analysing results. Brands that work with these large companies are often assigned an account manager and work with different departments and experts throughout their projects.
While some companies may only need assistance with a specific part of the process, many others prefer full-service companies that can handle all facets of the process from start to finish. This can also be more budget-friendly than hiring a particular person or user experience agency for each role, making it less frustrating and more efficient.
FAQ: What to Know Before Working With a UX Design Studio
Whether you’re a small business just starting or a large company trying to boost your UX, it’s ok to be a little lost when starting a project or not know how to prepare. But don’t be discouraged. Understanding the process will help your project go much smoother. To help you on your journey, we’ve collected some of the most commonly asked questions about working with UI/UX design agencies below:
Q: How Much Does UX Design Cost?
A: UX design costs vary based on the project scope, required services, and hours needed. It’s essential to set a budget before consulting with agencies. During initial meetings, discuss the project and request information like samples and testimonials to assess the agency’s fit and value.
When providing your budget, quote a lower estimate to allow for adjustments later. A well-defined project scope will help you receive a more accurate estimate, typically with a 15–20% buffer.
For minimum engagements of $50,000, US and Western European agencies charge $150–250 per hour, with rates higher in San Francisco and NYC. Some may also offer weekly rates between $7,000 and $15,000.
Q: What Are the Typical Services of a UX Design Company?
A: Every UX/UI design company will have slightly different offerings when it comes to services. Usually, the larger the UX agency, the more options it’ll have, while smaller companies are often more specialized. However, most agencies offer full user experience designs, taking a project from start to finish, from user research and initial ideas to testing and developing a final product.
Most companies also offer user interface design, as technical components such as colors, text, graphics, etc., are integral to creating UX. Many UI/UX design companies also offer branding, marketing, and UX strategy services because they are intertwined with the UX experience.
Beyond these three offerings, UX/UI studios may offer the following:
- Business discovery and user research: This stage of design thinking is crucial to understanding the problem that needs to be solved and identifying potential solutions. A UX designer will often conduct interviews, surveys, field studies, user testing, and competitor analysis during this phase.
- Front-end engineering and platform integration: This is the technical implementation of the design, which includes everything from coding to testing to QA. A user interface design firm usually has a development team specializing in this area. The graphic design forms the basis for your site’s UI design thinking, while the overall design is the responsibility of the user experience designers.
- Usability testing and analytics: Any software development requires testing and analytics, both pre- and post-launch. After the digital products are launched, it’s important to monitor how users interact with them (i.e., study user flows) and determine whether any areas need improvement.
- Experience innovation consulting: This is a relatively new service in software development that helps companies keep up with the latest UI/UX trends and technologies.
- Design sprints and prototyping: Design sprints are a popular way for UX teams to prototype and test ideas rapidly. Design sprints are a way to quickly try ideas and see how people like them. During a design sprint, you’ll work on a prototype of an idea and then test it with people to see if it’s good.
- Customer journey mapping: Customer journey mapping is a way to understand how customers interact with your product or service.
- Service blueprints: Service blueprints help you understand how your product or service works and how it fits into the bigger picture.
- UX workshops and training: Some agencies offer workshops and training to help companies learn about UX design within websites, mobile apps, and custom software development. These can be helpful for companies new to UX or those who want to brush up on their skills.
Full-service UX design companies usually offer all of the above, while others may offer only a few. Some companies may also provide unique offerings in specific niches beyond the standard services.
Q: What Do I Need to Share With a UI/UX Design Agency to Get a Proposal for My UI/UX Design Project?
A: First, draft a brief description of the project. Please don’t go into too much detail, but make sure that you highlight what it will be about and what makes it exciting. Consider this a job description that interests potential UX agencies in working with you.
Once you contact a few agencies, you can set up a phone call to discuss the details and assess whether the company is a good fit.
You’ll want to have some questions ready to ask the UX agencies, but also be prepared for the questions they’ll ask you about the project, which will likely include those related to:
- Your specific goals and how you aim to achieve them and assess them with metrics
- Your target audience
- The history of your product or user experience to give a baseline of your past interactions with clients and what has worked and not worked in the past
- Data insights and research, including user stories
- Some UX agencies may even request a demo to understand the product and get the best assessment of its weaknesses and strengths
At the end of this meeting, you’ll want to send a brief that includes your goals, budget and timeline requirements, and guidelines. Remember that this isn’t a proposal, so keep it short while still having enough information for them to get a good idea of what’s to come. This does not need to sound too formal or official, so make it exciting and upbeat. Save the stuffy language for the proposal and legal documents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hiring a UX design agency can bring numerous benefits to your business, from improving customer satisfaction and loyalty to saving time and resources. User research is a critical component of UX design, and it’s essential to understand your users’ needs and behaviors to create a user-centered design. Finally, staying up-to-date with the latest UX design trends is crucial to creating a design that meets the needs and expectations of your target audience. By following these best practices, you can create a UX design that drives business results and provides a positive user experience.
Thanks for reading! 🙏🏼