I work alongside agencies as their senior UX and research partner. Some start with an independent UX audit of a client’s website. Others bring me in to research their client’s customers before positioning or messaging work.
Your clients stay your clients. I’m here to make you look good.
I’ve run an agency myself, so I know how much trust it takes to put someone in front of your clients.
I never compete for your clients.
I don’t pitch to them, sell to them behind your back or take over the relationship.
I work the way you need.
Under your agency’s name or mine, in front of the client or behind the scenes.
I fit into your team.
I join your calls, use your tools and work alongside your designers and developers.
I present it with you.
I don’t just hand over a report. I explain the findings to your client and help agree what happens next.
Independent UX audits. A clear roadmap for a better website.
Taking over an existing website, or want to help an established client get better results? My independent UX audit shows what’s working, what needs fixing and where the biggest opportunities are.
I go beyond traditional UX. I look at messaging, positioning and credibility, and at the journey from your client’s marketing channels through to the website itself.
What you get
Practical recommendations, with examples of better approaches
A prioritised roadmap of improvements your agency can deliver
Me alongside you when you present the findings to your client
It’s a good way to start a new client relationship, show what your agency can do and build a programme of work on evidence rather than guesswork.
I know margins matter, so I price agency work to leave room for your mark-up on top.
Our client loved the audit you guys did so much that they printed off a copy and referred to slide numbers every time they needed us to make changes to the site.
Bella Lewis-SmithMD, Salad Creative
More ways I can help. From first conversation to final design.
Qualitative customer research
Understand your client’s customers before the big decisions get made.
I’ve spent 25 years running in-depth customer interviews, including leading UX globally at Ipsos. I can design the study, run the interviews and present the findings to your client under your name. Or I can step in as an extra researcher when your team is stretched.
Agencies bring me in to shape a brand position or proposition with real customer evidence, test messaging and concepts before they go to market, and understand why customers choose your client or a competitor.
UX testing
See where real people get stuck.
I watch people use websites and digital products, and show you exactly where they hesitate, get confused or give up. Whether you’re testing a new design or working out why visitors aren’t converting, you’ll have the evidence to decide what to fix.
UX wireframing and design
Turn customer understanding into a site that works.
From user journeys and information architecture to wireframes, prototypes and final designs. I can work alongside your designers and developers, or lead the UX myself.
UX director on demand
Senior UX expertise without the full-time hire.
Bring me into pitches, client workshops and project planning. I’ll help shape proposals, spot opportunities and guide your designers through the project, as part of your team and someone you can introduce to clients with confidence.
How I’ve helped agencies. Some examples.
UX audit for a mental health charity
I reviewed a creative agency’s client website and set out clear priorities. The client had a direction to follow, and the agency won the work to deliver it.
UX redesign for a leisure centre
With a technical agency, I reviewed the customer journey, then wireframed and designed improvements alongside their developers to help lift conversions.
Customer research for a SaaS business
A creative agency needed to know how their client’s customers decided what to buy. I interviewed customers, watched them use the site and compared it with competitors. The findings shaped a programme of work for the agency.
I’ve been in your shoes. 13 years running a UX agency.
Damian Rees
Founder and lead UX consultant
I’ve spent 25 years in UX research and design, including 13 years running my own UX agency and later leading UX globally at Ipsos. I’ve helped organisations including the BBC, the Financial Times, Burberry and Siemens understand their customers.
I know how much trust it takes to bring someone into your team. You need someone who does good work, gets on with your clients and makes your agency look good. That’s the partner I aim to be.
You work with me directly. For larger research or design projects I bring in Bex, Debbie and Steve, senior people I trust.
Every project is quoted up front. I know margins matter to agencies, so I price my work to leave room for you to add your own mark-up on top.
Can you join our pitches?
Yes. I can help shape the proposal, join the pitch meeting and talk through the UX approach with your prospective client.
Will you work directly with our clients?
Yes, if you want me to. I’m happy to run workshops, interviews and presentations with your clients, or to stay behind the scenes and support your team.
Will you try to win work from our clients?
No. Your clients stay your clients. I don’t pitch to them or take on work from them without you.
What kind of agencies do you work with?
Brand, marketing, creative, design and development agencies who want senior UX and research expertise without hiring it full-time.
Let’s get to know each other. Tell me about your agency.
Whether you’ve got a project that needs UX expertise or you’d just like someone experienced to call on, it would be good to meet. Tell me a bit about your agency and the work you do, and we’ll see where I can help.
