Bringing a product to life in half the time, with lower prototyping costs, and designing it to actually resonate with customers sounds almost too good to be true.
However, this is where product design and development is moving at present, particularly with AI shaking up the way UX/UI design is being performed.
So, businesses must be smarter and green-designed. Physical and digital products continue to merge with each other, and it is indeed challenging to be on the forefront of such trends. This is why a correct agency will make or break your project.
There are six product design companies that are worth knowing, which this article dissects: Lazarev.agency, Think Company, Smart Design, Ustwo, UX studio, and Ofspace. Each gets evaluated on founding history, team size, industry focus, client portfolio, and what makes them different. Think of it as a practical guide for choosing who you actually want to work with.
Key takeaways
- Great product design speeds launches, reduces costs, and delivers products users actually love.
- AI is reshaping UX/UI: predicting behavior, generating variations, and improving complex interfaces.
- Top agencies combine research, strategy, prototyping, and development collaboration for measurable impact.
- Choosing the right partner matters: freelancers for MVPs, agencies for scalable projects, consultancies for strategic innovation.
- The best designs are invisible: seamless, intuitive, and user-friendly without drawing attention to themselves.
- Design excellence drives business: higher engagement, reduced churn, and stronger brand trust.
Detailed analysis of top 6 product design firms
1. Lazarev.agency
Lazarev.agency is a digital product design firm and AI UX design agency that's been around since 2015. We offer web design, digital transformation, UX research, and product design, basically the full suite. Over the past decade, we’ve carved out a reputation working at the intersection of creative innovation and commercial results. Three Webby Awards and consistent recognition across Fintech, AI/ML, Edtech, and Web3 back that up.
We are doing business with such companies like Accern and Admetrics, yet the agency is actually based on the idea of transforming complicated issues into user-friendly solutions. We can deal with complicated engineering tasks and develop products that require conformance with regulatory requirements and market needs.
What makes us different? We are positioned as a top AI product design agency. Early movers in how artificial intelligence enhances both the design process itself and the final product. Our AI UX design team combines creative and technical skills to deliver market-ready products that actually drive business objectives.
"We design systems that adapt to user behavior. That requires understanding both the technical aspects and the human psychology behind every interaction."
{{Oleksandr Koshytskyi}}
2. Think Company
Based in Philadelphia, they have a reputation of providing holistic solutions, which extend to strategy up to implementation. Their dynamic engagement approach enables teams to be responsive to client needs whether in short term projects or long on-site relationships.
Having such clients as Johnson & Johnson and JPMorgan Chase, they show their abilities at developing enterprise-level solutions without neglecting agile methodology and user-oriented design.
Think Company has more than 105 employees working in three offices in the USA. They also perform brilliantly in digital strategy that they offer to supplement their product design services. They are famed with their capability to handle the development process and come up with projects that combine beauty and functionality.
3. Smart Design
Smart Design has mastered the art of designing products that are user-friendly and functional at the same time. Their strategic model is composed of profound research and technology invention and translates this into innovative solutions to solve real life problems. Their partnership with Gatorade on a tech-enabled hydration monitoring device and an effective cold brew coffee maker by OXO can be identified as notable projects.
The high standards of excellence of each product are determined by the strict quality control processes in Smart Design. Their decentralized style of development of concepts consists in multiple teams cooperating to create and develop design concepts. They are also in charge of the product development process starting with creation of a product all the way to the market.
4. Ustwo
Ustwo is a UK-based company, established by two friends in 2004, and has become a digital product design giant on the global scene. They are capable of keeping pace with technological innovation since their spectrum of work includes mobile applications, metaverse experiences. Having collaborated with such industry giants as Google, Ford, and Peloton, they have demonstrated the ability to provide groundbreaking digital experiences in the different domains.
Ustwo is a multinational firm that is involved in product design and has a workforce of more than 250 employees. They use progressive tactics to create differentiated solutions that they use to position themselves as an all-inclusive development firm in the product design sector. Ustwo has experience in developing mobile applications and has come up with innovative mobile solutions to clients as small as startups to well-established technology firms.
5. UX studio
As one of the fastest-growing best product design companies globally, UX Studio combines strategic thinking with agile transformation capabilities. Their team of 60 product designers specializes in creating outstanding digital products while focusing on business structure innovation.
Recognized among top B2B service providers by Clutch Global, they excel in product management, strategic planning, and supply chain management.
6. Ofspace
Ofspace is a design agency that helps founders turn their ideas into products that work. They focus on strategic, purposeful design that addresses real user needs. Their team works closely with clients to understand their goals, refine their products, and enhance the user experience.
With a commitment to continuous improvement, Ofspace believes design is an ongoing process. They learn from users, test new ideas, and make updates based on feedback. Their tagline, "You Dream. We Make It Meaningful," reflects their dedication to bringing a client's vision to life in a way that’s both user-centered and business-driven.
At Ofspace, they design with long-term success in mind. Each design decision is made with the goal of creating value for both the users and the business, ensuring the product is not only functional but also user-friendly and impactful.
How product design companies operate
The pretty streamlined approach that is applied by top product design companies is a blend of creativity, engineering and business strategy.
1. Research and user discovery
Nobody starts designing right away. The first phase is about understanding user needs and business goals. This usually includes:
- Running usability interviews, surveys, and mapping out UX personas.
- Benchmarking competitors and spotting gaps in the competitive market.
- Gathering behavioral insights to figure out which features actually matter.
- Using AI-powered design analytics to process user feedback at scale (because doing it manually takes forever).
These insights set the foundation for solutions that actually serve users instead of just looking good in mockups.
2. Strategy and product definition
Once research is done, the team defines what the product actually needs to be. This includes:
- Mapping user journeys and key workflows.
- Establishing MVP features based on what users need and what the market will accept.
- Getting stakeholders aligned around shared goals and success metrics.
Design thinking drives this phase. The goal is balancing what's technically feasible with what's actually valuable to users.
3. UX/UI design and prototyping
This is where visual and interactive elements come to life. Product designers apply aesthetic sensibility and usability best practices:
- Creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
- Using tools like Figma or Sketch to simulate the user experience.
- Testing prototypes with real users for early feedback.
- Leveraging AI innovation to generate design variations and predict user behavior.
Prototyping also helps engineers collaborate closely. It clarifies technical feasibility and implementation paths before anyone writes production code.
"The best designs come from understanding constraints. When you know the technical limitations, you can push them creatively rather than fighting against them."
{{Danylo Dubrovsky}}
4. Handoff and development collaboration
Once designs get approved, software engineering teams translate them into code. A strong design partner will:
- Provide clear design specs and style guides for developers.
- Collaborate on component libraries and design systems.
- Make sure technical aspects like responsiveness, accessibility, and scalability are built-in from the start.
Close alignment across teams improves efficiency and reduces development errors. This matters especially for complex systems and complex projects that need both mechanical engineering and software development expertise.
5. Iteration, launch, and optimization
Digital products aren't static. They're living systems. Post-launch, teams refine and expand based on how people actually use the product:
- Analyzing user behavior and feature adoption.
- Prioritizing updates based on evolving project needs.
- Scaling architecture for performance and growth.
For evolving projects and complex systems, this iterative mindset is critical for sustained project success.
Choosing between product design providers
Designing a new product is one of the largest decisions one can make when it comes to actually bringing a new product into life. A company will usually have four choices: freelancers, agencies, consultancies, or in-house team building.
Freelancers vs. agencies vs. product design consultancies
Freelancers
Freelancers are usually solo designers or engineers who offer a flexible, cost-effective way to get started. They're good for:
- Tight budgets or bootstrapped startups.
- Quick MVPs or small feature redesigns.
- One-off deliverables (like a 3D product visualization or UX audit).
The downside: freelancers often lack infrastructure for large-scale collaboration. Project continuity can suffer if they take on other clients or bail midstream. It happens.
Design agencies
Agencies typically house cross-functional teams: industrial designers, UX designers, researchers, and engineers. This makes them solid for:
- Consumer product launches
- Full-stack product design and branding
- Projects that need scalability and speed
- Mobile apps and digital product design
A large number of the major product design agencies are of this kind: such a company as Lazarev.agency, top-rated design agency in San Francisco, or Smart Design, for example. They are also reputed to provide smooth and ready-to-market solutions in a wide variety of industries.
Product design consultancies
Consultancies are the premium tier. These companies help shape business strategy and long-term product roadmaps. Strengths include:
- Human-centered design thinking.
- Integration with R&D, innovation labs, or venture teams.
- Multi-phase product evolution over months or years.
They're ideal for innovative companies looking to scale or enter new markets with breakthrough products. Expensive, but sometimes worth it.
In-house vs. outsourcing product design
The other major decision is whether to keep design internal or outsource to external experts. Each model has trade-offs:
In-house teams
Building a product design team internally makes sense for:
- Companies with recurring design needs.
- Organizations that need IP control and privacy.
- Businesses wanting tighter alignment with brand vision.
But here's the catch: hiring and retaining top talent is slow and expensive. Plus, in-house teams can struggle with creative burnout or limited exposure to what's happening across industries. When you're only working on one company's problems, perspective narrows.
Outsourced product design
Outsourcing to product design companies offers:
- Access to cutting-edge key technologies (SolidWorks, Rhino, KeyShot, AI product design tools and strategies).
- Immediate infusion of technical expertise.
- Exposure to cross-industry best practices.
- Flexibility to scale up or down based on project scope.
It also removes the overhead of managing salaries, HR, and benefits. This makes outsourcing the preferred option for startups, fast-moving consumer goods companies, and anyone needing flexible design bandwidth.
How to shortlist and hire the right product design agency
Start by defining project scope, business goals, timeline, and budget clearly. Once that's done, research agencies that specialize in your industry or have a proven track record with similar products. Pay attention to their portfolios, case studies, and client testimonials. Look for consistency in quality, innovation, and user-focused design.
Using RFPs and design briefs
A well-structured Request for Proposal (RFP) should outline:
- Project objectives and expected outcomes.
- Target market and user personas.
- Timeline and key milestones.
- Budget range and payment expectations.
- Technical requirements and key technologies needed.
Pair this with a concise design brief to give potential partners creative direction. The clearer you are upfront, the more tailored and accurate the responses will be. Vague briefs get vague proposals.
Vetting with testimonials and reviews
Don't just rely on glossy marketing. Dive into reviews on platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, or DesignRush. Speak to past clients if possible to understand how the agency handles deadlines, communication, revisions, and problem-solving.
Ask direct questions like:
- How do you manage scope changes during the project?
- What happens if we miss a milestone?
- Can you walk through a challenge you overcame in a recent project?
- How do engineers collaborate closely with designers on your team?
- What's your approach to user testing and incorporating user feedback?
The answers reveal how the agency operates under pressure and collaborates in real-world conditions. Generic answers are a red flag.
Check cultural fit and communication style
A successful partnership depends on chemistry and shared values. Schedule discovery calls or workshops to see how teams mesh. Do they listen well? Are they proactive or reactive? A firm that understands brand voice, audience, and vision will always deliver more impactful results.
What to look for:
- Project management approach: How do they handle the entire design process?
- Communication frequency: Weekly check-ins? Daily standups?
- Transparency: Are they upfront about challenges and risks?
- Problem-solving mindset: Do they just execute, or do they challenge assumptions?
What slows down product innovation and how to fix it
Even innovative companies hit roadblocks during the product development cycle. Shifting priorities, technical issues, miscommunication, managing a successful project requires coordination, clarity, and backup plans.
Communication gaps and timeline issues
In complex projects involving UX/UI design and software development, poor communication leads to misalignment and missed milestones. This is especially true in mobile app development or when digital product design companies manage distributed teams across time zones.
To avoid delays, leading firms use structured project management systems with:
- Clear deliverables and role assignments.
- Regular status updates and milestone reviews.
- Integrated tools for real-time collaboration and file sharing.
- AI-powered project tracking to predict bottlenecks before they happen.
These practices keep the UX design team and engineers synced throughout the engineering process.
The data backs this up: teams using structured communication frameworks see 35% fewer delays.
Cost overruns and budget planning
Unplanned expenses are a common problem in complex projects, especially when scaling from prototype to full production. Whether it's mechanical engineering, web development, or user interface design, costs can spiral due to material changes, added features, or unforeseen technical hurdles. It happens more often than anyone wants to admit.
To manage this risk:
- Conduct early market research to set realistic scopes.
- Provide transparent estimates with line-item budgets.
- Include buffer zones (typically 15-20%) for unexpected changes in the engineering process.
- Use agile methodologies to adjust priorities without inflating costs.
Partnering with a leading product design company that offers comprehensive solutions across disciplines helps prevent budget creep while staying focused on delivering market-ready products and achieving business objectives.
These challenges are common, but not unavoidable. With the right mix of technical expertise, proactive planning, and transparent communication, companies can turn potential setbacks into a competitive edge.
How Lazarev.agency reimagined Payoneer's digital experience
Payoneer, a global platform for cross-border payments, needed a more intuitive, user-friendly experience to better serve freelancers, online sellers, and businesses. Their existing UX/UI lacked clarity and engagement, leading to frequent customer support requests and users relying on third-party tools for basic financial tracking. The goal was redesigning the digital experience to improve usability, engagement, and long-term retention.
The approach
Lazarev.agency, an AI design agency for fintech products, ran in-depth discovery sessions and UX workshops to understand user pain points and business opportunities. The redesigned experience focused on simplifying complex tasks, introducing playful and interactive elements, and reducing user friction through smart, AI-driven features. Key areas of improvement:
- Revamped home screen to centralize financial activity like card balances and recent transactions, while keeping Payoneer's brand identity intact.
- Interactive wallet with color-coded cards by currency to make financial management more intuitive and visually dynamic.
- Enhanced currency conversion flow with a predictive calculator and a proposed expansion of supported currencies to improve utility.
- AI-powered voice assistant to answer common questions and triage support, aimed at reducing customer service load and response times.
- In-app analytics dashboard to help users track spending, cutting down dependency on external tools.
- Gamification with "Payocat" mascot, introducing a reward-based mini-game to boost user retention and offer discounts based on user engagement.
Project outcomes
The results show how strategic UX/UI design delivers measurable business impact:
- Simplified home experience that supports everyday financial decision-making.
- Improved product engagement through interactive elements like the currency-color Wallet and Payocat game.
- Clear path toward reducing customer support volume with AI assistance and clearer flows.
- Strengthened brand identity through consistent visual design and the introduction of a memorable mascot.
- More competitive feature set, offering in-app analytics that keeps users within the Payoneer ecosystem.
Finding your ideal product design partner
Choosing the right product design company shapes product success. Whether it's a startup building a first MVP or a global enterprise refining a complex product line, working with a team that blends creativity, technical skill, and market understanding matters.
Lazarev.agency brings that balance. With deep experience in emerging tech like AI, ML, and Web3, plus recognition including multiple Webby Awards, they provide full-cycle support, helping clients turn ideas into market-ready solutions.
Why consider working with Lazarev.agency:
- Proven track record: $500M+ raised by clients thanks to design-led strategies.
- AI expertise: Early leaders in UX design for AI/ML products.
- End-to-end service: From user research to software development and post-launch optimization.
- Industry recognition: 120+ international awards, featured alongside Google, Netflix, and Spotify.
- Business results: Success gets measured by project outcomes.
Ready to bring a product idea to life with a design company specializing in innovative AI/ML solutions? Contact Lazarev.agency, your best AI UX design partner, to see how we can support business objectives from concept to launch.
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