Choosing an agency—even a one-woman agency like mine—brings more versatility and collaboration than working with a freelancer. While freelancers often focus on a specific skill set, an agency model allows me to bring in a diverse network of experts when needed, such as product owners, developers, 3D designers, or AI engineers (my Creative Collective). This ensures your project gets the right skills at the right time. With an agency approach, you also benefit from a more structured, strategic process. I can offer more comprehensive services like strategy development, product design, and investor pitch preparation, which freelancers might not provide as deeply. Additionally, my agency setup provides the agility and personalised approach of a freelancer but with broader expertise and resources.

Absolutely! If you’ve already created some mockups but need expert design advice to refine them, you can opt for my one-off design service. We’ll review your designs together over a call, where I’ll provide insights and suggestions. Afterwards, I’ll refine your designs to ensure they’re polished and ready to move forward.

During our intro call, please share your expectations—this helps me tailor the service to your needs. The standard option includes one design per brief, whether that’s a single landing page, a key feature app screen, or an email template design. If you need multiple design options for the same brief (e.g., variations of one landing page or screen), we can discuss that based on the complexity of your request. While the default is one design per brief, I’m happy to explore providing multiple versions depending on your needs.

I choose to work with entrepreneurs and product visionaries because their passion for innovation and constant drive to improve excites me. They challenge me to think outside the box, which fuels my creativity and pushes me to craft bold solutions. This shared energy inspires me every day and keeps the work fresh and meaningful. To bring these ambitious ideas to life, I collaborate with my Creative Collective—a network of trusted experts, including product owners, developers, 3D designers, AI engineers, and creative technologists. Together, we form a flexible, dynamic team that can step in as needed, offering the right expertise at every stage of your project. For my clients, this means an agile, personalised approach. With direct access to me and my Creative Collective, you get the full benefit of creativity, strategy, and technical expertise without the overhead of a larger agency.

I’m a designer, not a developer, so I don’t handle coding myself. However, I have a network of experts—including iOS and Android developers, full-stack developers, creative technologists, and AI engineers—who can tailor solutions for your product’s technical needs. Additionally, I collaborate with Product Owners who can help shape your strategy, align your product development with business goals, and prioritise key features based on market and user feedback. Together, we can bring in the right experts to develop and launch your product, ensuring it’s not only visually impactful but also strategically sound and technically robust. Let’s chat and see how we can creatively solve your problem or find the right development solutions for you.

Since I put significant effort into each project, I do not offer refunds. However, I highly recommend trying the one-off design first to ensure you’re satisfied with my service. I understand the uncertainty, but feel free to review my case studies, testimonials, and LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuko-sugimoto/) to gain confidence before committing to larger projects.

If you just need one design, I recommend starting with my one-off design service. It’s perfect for standalone needs, and I’m happy to consult with you to determine the right package, whether it’s one-off or ongoing support.

While I cover a broad range of design needs, including digital products, branding, and websites, there may be specific areas outside my focus such as document design, complex packaging, animation to 3D modelling. Feel free to reach out with your project, and I’ll let you know if it fits within my expertise.

I encourage you to try the one-off design service first to see if it’s the right fit for you. My approach is collaborative, and while revisions are not included in the one-off service, I work hard to capture your vision from the start. For ongoing adjustments, consider the subscription-based model for continuous support and refinement.

To get started, you’ll first fill out a Kickstart Questionnaire (https://forms.gle/ThkpvHSZFdwzq2kA8), where you’ll outline your vision and design requirements. Once I’ve reviewed the details, we’ll schedule a call to ensure we’re aligned and that you’ve chosen the right plan for your needs. After finalising the plan, we’ll sign the Service Agreement, and I’ll issue an invoice—upfront payment is required for one-off design services, while phased payments apply to larger projects. Once everything is confirmed, I’ll get to work and deliver the designs within the agreed timeframe.

I primarily design in Figma, but if it’s a logo design, it can be done in Illustrator. I deliver files in various formats based on your request: Figma files, PDFs, or presentations (Keynote, Google Slides, or PowerPoint). The format depends entirely on your needs.

I’m a single creative designer - Yuko Sugimoto (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuko-sugimoto/) , focusing on delivering high-impact designs—from logos and apps to websites and software creative tools. You’ll work directly with me, ensuring a personal and collaborative approach.

The Design Sprint is a structured, time-bound process where we work intensively to ideate and prototype product ideas. It typically includes: A kick-off meeting (2 hours) to align on goals. An ideation workshop (3 hours) to brainstorm and develop creative solutions. A playback session (2 hours) to review the prototypes and gather feedback. In total, the sprint typically lasts 2 weeks, including 1 week of prep work (research and framework) followed by 1 week of intense collaboration. You’ll need to allocate about 7-8 hours for meetings and workshops over that period.

Depending on your request, you could receive a completed logo, mockup, or wireframe in just 2 days. The specific deliverables depend on the service you choose, but quick turnaround times are guaranteed for the one-off design service.

Depends on the scope and service. One-off designs can be delivered quickly Minimum 2 days, while ongoing collaborations may take weeks or months.

One-off designs provide a fixed result, while our subscription models offer ongoing refinement and unlimited revisions. You have the flexibility to cancel anytime.

Fill out the Kickstart Questionnaire: https://forms.gle/ThkpvHSZFdwzq2kA8, and we’ll schedule a consultation.

Hiring a full-time **UX/UI designer** in the UK can be costly. Mid-level designers typically earn between **£40,000 and £60,000**, while senior designers can command salaries of **£80,000 to £100,000** per year. Add to that the additional costs—such as National Insurance, pensions, and software tools—and the total cost of hiring becomes significant. For businesses looking for high-quality design without the long-term commitment of a permanent hire, ToBeStudio offers **flexibility and expertise on demand**. I provide professional design services when you need them, without the overhead costs of a full-time employee. As for full-service agencies, they often come with layers of bureaucracy and overhead, which can slow down the creative process. At ToBeStudio, you get **personalised, agile one-demand service**—I work directly with you to understand your vision, and I’m not waiting to be told what to design. With me, you get a designer who challenges assumptions, thinks strategically, and helps shape your product from concept to reality—without the inefficiencies of a larger agency.