What we do
Design services
We design clear, intuitive user experiences grounded in real user needs and business goals. Our UX process focuses on structure, flows, and decision-making to make successful and easy-to-use products.
We create polished, modern interfaces that are both functional and expressive. Our UI work balances visual craft with usability.
We build interactive prototypes to test ideas early and align teams quickly. Prototypes help validate flows, surface issues, and accelerate decision-making before development begins.
We evaluate existing products to identify usability issues, accessibility gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Audits result in clear, prioritized recommendations your team can act on.
We design and review products with accessibility in mind, helping teams meet ADA and WCAG standards. Our approach focuses on inclusive design that improves usability for all users, not just compliance checklists.
We help define and refine visual identities that feel cohesive, distinctive, and durable. Branding work includes logos, color systems, typography, and guidelines that support real-world use.
We create flexible design systems that keep teams aligned and products consistent as they scale. Systems include components, patterns, and documentation that bridge design and development.
We design mobile experiences that feel fast, focused, and natural to use. Our mobile work prioritizes touch, hierarchy, and performance across iOS and Android devices.
Work samples are available upon request
Our work
Legacy
Seis
RISExp
Water Lantern Festival
Messenger & My Designer Lab
VillageFor
Audience
Autoliv
Hey Grill Hey
Identifyd
Wellabe & iPremium
Parallel
Revere Health
Show&Tell
WGU Labs
BodyAudit
Messenger Memorial Maker
Degreed
HotMic
Nomi Health
UX
User experience is core
User experience is foundational to everything we design and build. We focus on clarity, usability, and real user needs to ensure products are intuitive, efficient, and easy to adopt. Strong UX reduces friction, supports business goals, and makes products work better over time.
Visual Design
Good products should also be beautiful
Thoughtful visual design does more than make things look nice. It builds trust, communicates quality, and makes products easier and more enjoyable to use. When form and function work together, experiences feel intentional and credible. Good design also helps products stand out in crowded markets and age more gracefully over time.
“The way you've handled this is such a testament to why HQ is so damn good.”
Elizabeth Waite
CMO, Collegewise
“This team is insanely reliable.”
Randall Bennett
“These are my favorite vendors.”
Hayden Hill
CMO, Christensen Institute
“As a way to get to a phenomenal product, hiring this team is the best way to go. Overall we're 1000% pleased.”
Austen Allred
CEO, GauntletAI
“There's no doubt in my mind that we picked the right partner in HQ to help us with this.”
Shobin Uralil
CMO, Lively
“If I'm not your happiest customer, I'm willing to fight whoever thinks they are for that title.”
Jeff Allen
CEO, BlueCar
“We feel like HQ has been our secret weapon.”
Jerome Paul
CEO, Spiff (acq. by Salesforce)
We obsess about client experience
Many of clients come to us because they had a bad experience with a previous agency or hire. We care about exceptional user experience in the products that we build, but also in the long-term partnership and process of building them.
Read about our process
At HQ, we've structured our company and client relationships to eliminate barriers between you and the individuals responsible for the actual work. This approach results in reduced information loss, faster feedback loops, and the innovative insights that arise when a diverse group collaborates on a single product.
We're working on your product and therefore we provide you with the ability to define priorities and closely monitor project management. We'll keep you updated on the progress of each task, work with you to refine product requirements, and help translate your vision into concrete work.
We want you to be confident that the resources you invest in us are used effectively and efficiently. To achieve this, we provide regular updates on the budget and invoice frequently. Additionally, with each invoice, we include a report detailing each time entry logged by each individual working on your project. This ensures transparency and accountability.
We balance face-to-face and async communication to fit each project's needs. The more we collaborate, the better the results, and we make a point to communicate early and often. Expect proactive updates, quick responses, and transparent dialogue throughout the process.
Hiring fast for big pushes or keeping teams busy during slower seasons can be a challenge. With our flexible team, you can ramp up momentum or scale back as needed. We adapt to your business rhythms so you never pay for idle time or scramble for extra hands.
Our work requires continuous learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Every project benefits from the collective expertise of our designers and developers, not just the individuals assigned to it. Behind every deliverable is an entire team sharing insights, tools, and best practices.
Frequently asked questions
We work on everything from rapid MVPs to multi-year platform redesigns. If the scope is too far outside our core strengths we'll tell you upfront—and help point you to a better-fit vendor.
Yes. We regularly collaborate with internal teams and external partners, fitting into existing workflows and tools. Our goal is to complement your team, not replace it.
Our process varies by project and client. We put effort into not including process for process's sake. But a typical process may include research, structure, exploration, iteration, and validation. We start by understanding users and goals, define flows and information architecture, and iterate through testing and feedback before handoff.
Both. We can run new research such as interviews or usability tests, or work from existing data and insights your team already has. The approach depends on timelines, budget, and what's already known.
Accessibility is considered throughout the UX process, not added at the end. We design with inclusive patterns in mind and align work with WCAG guidelines to support a wide range of users.
Kick-off can be as quick as one week after contract signature. We begin with a discovery call, set up shared tooling, and outline the first sprint so everyone knows the deliverables and success metrics.
Yes. We frequently work within established products, patterns, and systems, improving usability without unnecessary reinvention. When gaps exist, we help extend systems in a thoughtful, consistent way.
Let's build together
Whether you're looking to design, build, update, or refresh an existing app or website, we can help. Even if we're not a good fit, we will help point you to somebody who might be.
Contact us