The design feels right, but nobody is completely convinced
An independent review helps validate ideas before development begins.
Design Review
Expert review of concepts, wireframes, prototypes or completed designs to identify usability issues before development begins.
Fixed Price
£1,995 + VATor PAYG
Designed for
- One product or feature
- Concepts, prototypes or completed designs
- Desktop and mobile interfaces
- Existing design files and documentation
- Two-week engagement
Need something different? Larger or more complex projects are usually better suited to a bespoke engagement.
How do I know if my project is the right fit? ↓What a design review actually is
The cheapest design decision is the one you make before development starts.
A design review is an independent assessment of concepts, wireframes, prototypes or completed interface designs before they’re built.
Rather than reviewing a live product, the focus is on validating the design before development starts by identifying usability issues, interaction problems, accessibility concerns and unnecessary complexity while changes are still quick and inexpensive to make.
The objective isn’t to criticise the design. It’s to help your team improve confidence, reduce delivery risk and move into development with a stronger solution.
Common problems
Teams have different opinions about the design
Objective UX feedback replaces assumptions with practical recommendations.
Important usability issues are being found too late
Identify problems before they’re built into the product.
Development is about to begin
Improve confidence before committing significant development time and budget.
Why work with me
Good design reviews shouldn’t become design critiques based on personal preference.
They should focus on how well a design supports the people using it.
My reviews combine UX, user research, accessibility and product thinking to identify where users are likely to struggle, where unnecessary complexity exists and what improvements will have the greatest impact before development begins.
The result is practical, prioritised feedback that helps your team improve the design while changes are still quick, affordable and easy to make.
Is this right for you?
- 01
You need a second pair of eyes
You’d like an experienced UX professional to review work before it moves into development.
- 02
You’re about to invest significant time and budget
You want reassurance that important usability issues have been identified before investing further.
- 03
Everyone’s opinion is different
You need objective feedback that helps designers, developers and stakeholders move forward together.
- 04
Problems would be expensive after launch
You’d rather improve the design now than discover problems after launch.
What you’ll receive
Kick-off session
A focused discussion to understand the design, objectives and questions the review should answer.
Design review
A detailed review of your concepts, wireframes, prototypes or completed designs.
Prioritised recommendations
Practical improvements ranked by impact, usability and implementation effort.
UX and accessibility observations
Independent feedback covering usability, interaction patterns, accessibility and consistency.
Playback session
A collaborative walkthrough of the findings with time for discussion and questions.
Written summary
A concise document your team can use during design refinement and development.
What’s not included
- User research
- Usability testing with participants
- Visual design production
- UI redesign
- Development support
Example deliverables
01
Design Review report
A structured review of the design with prioritised findings and recommendations.
02
Prioritised recommendations
Clear actions explaining what should change and why.
03
Executive summary
A concise overview for stakeholders and decision makers.
04
Prioritised action plan
A practical checklist of improvements ready for design iteration or development planning.
Typical timeline
Week 1
Kick-off and review
Understand the project, review the designs and complete the assessment.
Week 2
Playback and recommendations
Present findings, answer questions and agree next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of design projects is this designed for?
Every Design Review focuses on a single product, feature or user journey, helping you improve confidence before development begins. Typical examples include: • A new website or landing page before development. • A SaaS feature ready for implementation. • A mobile application or responsive redesign. • High-fidelity prototypes before stakeholder approval. • Existing interface designs that would benefit from an independent review. Larger or more complex projects are usually better suited to a bespoke engagement.
What’s the difference between a Design Review and a UX Audit?
A Design Review evaluates concepts, prototypes or completed designs before development. A UX Audit reviews a live website, application or digital product that’s already being used.
Is a Design Review only for finished designs?
No. Many organisations review concepts and prototypes long before development begins, allowing usability issues to be resolved while changes are still quick and inexpensive.
Will this slow down development?
Quite the opposite. Resolving issues before development usually reduces rework, strengthens confidence and helps delivery move more smoothly.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Manchester, UK and work with organisations across the UK, Europe and internationally. Most projects are delivered remotely, although I’m happy to travel for workshops, stakeholder sessions and key project milestones where required.
Do you work remotely?
Yes. Most projects are delivered remotely using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. Working remotely allows me to support organisations across the UK and internationally while remaining flexible and cost-effective.
Will I work directly with you?
Yes. Every project is delivered by me. If additional specialist support is ever needed, I’ll discuss it with you first, but you’ll always work directly with me throughout the project.
Can you work alongside our existing team?
Absolutely. Many clients already have designers, researchers, developers or product managers in place. I can provide additional capacity, independent advice or senior support without disrupting the way your team already works.
Do you only work with large organisations?
No. I’ve worked with startups, SMEs, agencies, charities, public sector organisations and global enterprises. Every engagement is tailored to the size, complexity and goals of the organisation.
What if my project doesn’t fit one of your fixed engagements?
The fixed engagements are designed around the most common types of engagement. If your project requires something different, I’ll create a bespoke proposal based on your goals, timescales and scope.
How quickly can you start?
Availability varies throughout the year, but many fixed engagements can begin within one to two weeks. If you have an urgent requirement, let me know and I’ll always do my best to accommodate it.
Do you sign NDAs and work with confidential information?
Yes. Much of my work has involved commercially sensitive products, government services and confidential research. I’m happy to sign NDAs and regularly work with organisations where confidentiality is essential.
Related thinking
Related glossary
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LET'S WORK TOGETHER
Ready to improve your product?
UX, research and product leadership for teams tackling complex digital services.
Previous feedback
I had a fantastic experience working with Andy. One of his most impressive achievements during our time at NHS HEE was masterminding a deeply complex information architecture for a new platform that brought together a large number of legacy websites.
Will Parkhouse
Senior Content Designer
If you’re looking for an independent review before development begins, let’s discuss whether a Design Review is the right place to start.