Pitfalls of agencies and why they don't make any sense.

Dark-mode project dashboard app on an iPhone

Outsourcing UX/UI design needs can often seem daunting to businesses concerned about integrating external teams with internal processes, managing costs, and ensuring quality. External agencies often look to be the best solution, but they come with their own set of problems.

Agency problem:

Expertise doesn’t align with your business goals

Design is more than just an aesthetic thing—it's a crucial component of your business strategy. Our approach is deeply rooted in aligning our design expertise with your business goals. We ensure that our creative processes enhance customer engagement and directly contribute to achieving your objectives. This client-centered design philosophy means that we work to understand your market, your business environment, and your challenges, ensuring that the solutions we provide are not only beautiful but also strategic and results-driven.

Agency problem:

Lack of honesty and transparency

There are few things worse than a partner who won’t tell you the truth. In a realm filled with yes-men, Upstory stands out as an honest broker. We provide unfiltered insights that focus on what your business needs to hear—not necessarily what you want to hear. This candid approach ensures that you make informed decisions that will genuinely benefit your long-term objectives. As leaders in the design process, we guide our clients through every step, offering expert advice and taking decisive actions that drive projects forward. This leadership stance has helped us build trust and foster long-lasting client relationships.

Typical Agency
A team on the sales call, B team on the project.

Upstory
Nothing gets us more riled up than a bait and switch. When you hire Upstory, you can rest assured you’re getting the best of the best. We’re a small, scrappy crew that takes pride in our work.

Typical Agency
Cost is often significantly higher than an internal hire.

Upstory

We’ll say unabashedly that we offer the best value out there, period, but don’t take our word for it. Put us up against any full-time hire, contractor, freelancer, or agency, and we’ll be the best bang for your buck.

Typical Agency

Designs not driven by business goals.

Upstory

We genuinely love business. What really sets us apart is our ability to ask the right questions and get to the bottom of your business needs. Then, and only then, do we start with visual designs. It’s in our DNA.

Typical Agency

Designers that undermine internal teams by trying to “prove their worth”.

Upstory

We thrive with deep, long-term engagements. Undermining internal teams only decreases our chances of success.

Typical Agency

Loss of Control.

Upstory

We’re a collaborative bunch. It’ll never feel like you lost control and the project is going off the rails because we’ve been on both sides of these decisions. We know how important it is for you to have total buy-in on the product vision.

Typical Agency

Slow communication and few design reviews.

Upstory

Fast feedback and communication is key to a successful product. Many agencies tend to push feedback to once-a-week checkin. We have these as well, but you won’t be stuck to a slow turnaround cycle. We’ll be in constant communication.

Typical Agency

Upstory

A team on the sales call, B team on the project.

Nothing gets us more riled up than a bait and switch. When you hire Upstory, you can rest assured you’re getting the best of the best. We’re a small, scrappy crew that takes pride in our work.

Cost is often significantly higher than an internal hire.

Designs not driven by business goals.

Designers that undermine internal teams by trying to “prove their worth."

We thrive with deep, long-term engagements. Undermining internal teams only decreases our chances of success.

Loss of Control.

Slow communication and few design reviews.