engagements

Retainer

Typically 2.5 to 5 days a week · Starting at 18K/Month*
Strategic brand solutions at every business stage

Ongoing support for your business. A full functioning design team dedicated to your company.

Venture Studio in Sydney

Strategic brand solutions at every business stage

Ongoing support for your business. A full functioning design team dedicated to your company.
quote icon
As our principal product design partner, UntilNow have helped drive our greatest period of growth.
Spriggy

Spriggy

Head of Product Experience

Spriggy

Who you’ll work with

Fractional support from people who’ve done it before.

We bring together UntilNow team members and independent experts to offer high-impact, hands-on support.

Rob McCreery
Part Time
Advisory
Part Time
Advisory
Rob McCreery
Fractional Business Strategy

Helps clients set long-term strategy that will lead to success, whilst also managing the UntilNow business and helping it grow. Previously: Deloitte, Fusion Labs.

Ian Davis
Part Time
Advisory
Part Time
Advisory
Ian Davis
Fractional COO/CEO ‘Wingman’/Growth Advisor

Helps founders and CEOs drive growth, innovation, and transformation across tech, media, telecom and education. Previously: Telstra, Kayo and Foxtel.

Kaga Bryan
Part Time
Advisory
Part Time
Advisory
Kaga Bryan
Head of Brand

Helps clients build compelling brand and creative strategies. Previously: The Iconic, Publicis Groupe.

Tyler Wilchek
Part Time
Advisory
Part Time
Advisory
Tyler Wilchek
Fractional CMO

Helps clients grow through data-driven marketing and strategic leadership. Previously: The Iconic, BricX, BoozeBud, Montu.

Francesco de Chirico
Part Time
Advisory
Part Time
Advisory
Francesco de Chirico
Head of Design

Helps clients define and deliver high-impact product and design strategies. Previously: Airtasker, The Iconic, Campaign Monitor.

Simon Reynolds
Part Time
Advisory
Part Time
Advisory
Simon Reynolds
Fractional CMO

Helps founders and scale marketplaces by embedding directly into early-stage teams. Previously: Airtasker, Vivian Health, Hatch.

Berty Bhuruth
Part Time
Advisory
Part Time
Advisory
Berty Bhuruth
Fractional Design and Product Lead

Helps clients define user-led product experiences and solve complex problems through thoughtful design. Previously: Honeywell, Canon.

Engagement

Custom

Tell us what you need and we will define the best approach based on your needs

Why Choose a Project Engagement?

A project engagement suits work that can be scoped, priced, and delivered against a clear brief.

You know what you need, we agree on what good looks like, and we build to it.
At UntilNow we run projects in two modes. Fixed scope projects cover defined deliverables such as websites, brand identities, design systems, and apps, where the outcome and timeline are locked in before we begin. Discovery projects cover strategy, positioning, and innovation work, where the answer emerges through research and iteration rather than a finished brief.

Both give you a senior team focused on a single outcome, with clear milestones and a defined end point.

Projects vs 
In-House Team
A project has a clear beginning and end. Where the alternative is hiring a team to deliver it or piecing it together with freelancers, a project brings you a senior team for a defined, focused push against one brief, one timeline, and one budget.



When the work can be quantified and the goalposts are stable, it's the most efficient way to reach the outcome.
One team, every discipline
Strategy, design, and dev in one place, ready to start without the months of hiring to assemble it internally.
In-House
Project
One team, every discipline
Strategy, design, and dev in one place, ready to start without the months of hiring to assemble it internally.
A single accountable partner
One team owning the outcome, not you managing four or five new hires through their first project together.
Fixed price, fixed timeline
A defined scope and end date locked in before we start, no open ended commitment running past the work.
Senior craft as standard
Senior practitioners on every brief, the level a one off project budget can't usually justify hiring in house.
From brief to kickoff in weeks
The engagement ends when the work does, no team left on payroll once the project lands.

Two ways of working
with us on projects

Fixed Scope

Suitable for teams shipping a website, brand identity, design system, or app, with the scope and timeline locked in upfront.
SUPPORT
We work as a senior team alongside yours, focused on a single outcome against a defined brief and timeline. Either to launch a new website, deliver a rebrand, build a design system, or ship a new app.
Ways of working
  • Detailed project plan with milestones
  • Fixed timeline and budget
  • Defined deliverables
  • Regular progress updates
  • Final handoff with documentation

Fixed Scope

Suitable for teams looking for strategy, positioning, discovery, or innovation work where the path needs to emerge through research and iteration.
SUPPORT
We embed a senior team into your strategic question, running research, testing concepts, and iterating until the answer becomes clear. You finish with a direction you can build on with confidence.
Ways of working
  • Discovery workshops
  • Strategic research & insights
  • Iterative concept development
  • Flexible scope adaptation
  • Recommendations & roadmap

Not sure which fits? Tell us where you're at and we'll shape the right engagement.

Learn More
What can we help you with?

Our goal is to help companies unlock great ideas and get them to market quickly.

Business outcomes

A well run project turns a clear brief into work you can ship and measure.

An ongoing partner compounds in value as the team builds shared context over time.
Defined deliverables completed on an agreed timeline
Clear cost control within a fixed, quantified scope
A finished asset ready to launch, whether a website, identity, design system, or product
Sharper positioning and direction from focused discovery work
A clean handover so your team can run with the result
Handle
Cake
Flagship
Elevia
Spriggy
Mirvac
Tandem
Flagship
KindiCover
Sven
Kaiso
Carma
Bigger
Prophero
Tandem
Alternaleaf
Bigger
Prophero
FLA
Chris O'Brien
Prophero
Cake
Snowmelt
Carma
Who do we work with

Some of our clients

From early-stage startups to ambitious scaleups, we partner with bold teams bringing transformative ideas to life. Each collaboration reflects our passion for crafting thoughtful, impactful solutions—whether it’s building memorable brands, designing seamless digital experiences, or solving complex challenges with clarity and purpose. Together, we create work that drives progress and leaves a lasting impression.

Engagement

Other ways of 
working with us

Four ways to work with us, from one-off projects to embedded design partnerships. We'll shape the engagement around your stage, scope, and pace.

Projects

Suitable for short projects where the scope and team are well defined and the project can be accurately quantified end-to-end.

Fixed Scope

Websites, brand identities, design systems, and apps where the deliverables and timeline are locked in upfront.

Discovery

Strategy, positioning, and innovation work where the answer emerges through research and iteration, not a brief.

Retainer

Ongoing support for your business. A full functioning design team dedicated to your company.

Fixed Scope

Websites, brand identities, design systems, and apps where the deliverables and timeline are locked in upfront.

Discovery

Strategy, positioning, and innovation work where the answer emerges through research and iteration, not a brief.

Fractional

Suitable for founders that are either running fast, or have hit a snag, and need some senior support.

Fixed Scope

Websites, brand identities, design systems, and apps where the deliverables and timeline are locked in upfront.

Discovery

Strategy, positioning, and innovation work where the answer emerges through research and iteration, not a brief.
Investing in your success

Venture Investments

When it makes sense for everyone involved, we exchange our services for equity. This is typically done on a part cash, part equity basis (just think of us as a value-adding angel investor). In select cases, we will also act as the design co-founder on a new venture.

Project Based

Websites, brand identities, design systems, and apps where the deliverables and timeline are locked in upfront.

Fixed Scope

Websites, brand identities, design systems, and apps where the deliverables and timeline are locked in upfront.

Discovery

Strategy, positioning, and innovation work where the answer emerges through research and iteration, not a brief.

Not sure which fits? Tell us where you're at and we'll shape the right engagement.

Learn More

FAQs

Why work with a Sydney-based web design agency like UntilNow?
Local expertise matters. As a Sydney web design agency, we understand the local market while delivering global-standard design, branding, and development solutions.
Will you provide training and support on how to update my website?
Absolutely. We believe in empowering clients. Whether it’s CMS training or ongoing support, we ensure you’re confident managing and growing your digital presence.
Do you build AI-powered digital products and automation tools?
Yes. As an AI automation agency, we design AI-driven tools, digital products, and strategies that help businesses save time, reduce costs, and scale smarter.
Why do businesses invest in branding?
Branding builds trust, differentiation, and long-term growth. A strong brand identity ensures you stand out in competitive markets and connects your business with the right audience.
How should I approach UX design for my business?
Start with your users. Through UX audits, user testing, and journey mapping, we identify friction points and opportunities, then design solutions that make your product intuitive and effective.
Why is UX design so important?
Because great UX design improves engagement, conversion, and loyalty. A user-centred design approach ensures your customers have a seamless journey – making them more likely to stay, return, and recommend.
What industries and businesses do you typically work with?
We work with startups, scaleups, and ambitious organisations across tech, finance, health, and consumer products – anyone ready to scale with the right design and development partner.
How long does it usually take to design and build a website or app?
Timelines depend on project scope, but a typical website development project takes 6–10 weeks, while apps may take longer depending on complexity. We always start with clear milestones and regular updates.
Why should you choose UntilNow as your web design, branding, and UX/UI partner?
Because we bring strategy and execution together. Unlike other creative agencies, we partner with you from idea validation to launch, ensuring every step drives measurable growth.
How do you ensure a scalable codebase?
We follow best practices, use modular components, and optimise performance for long-term growth.
Can you integrate with an existing development team?
Yes! We collaborate with internal and external dev teams to ensure a smooth handoff.
What technologies do you work with?
We specialise in modern frameworks like React, Next.js, and Webflow, among others.
How do you measure success?
We work with a selection of trusted partners to track engagement, conversion rates, and audience growth to refine strategies over time.
Do you offer content creation services?
Yes, we create branded content, from social media visuals to campaigns to long-form storytelling.
What platforms do you focus on for audience growth?
We can tailor strategies for websites, social media, email marketing, and community engagement.
Can you help with redesigning an existing product?
Yes! We can refine your existing product’s UX/UI to improve usability and engagement. This is often where we can add the most value.
How do you ensure great user experience (UX)?
We conduct user research, usability testing, and iterative design to optimise user journeys.
Do you design for web, mobile, or both?
We design for web apps, mobile apps, and multi-platform experiences. Whatever you need!
Can you help with deciding what to design/build?
Yes. This is one of our core value adds. We have been there and done it multiple times. We can help you decide what is going to have the biggest impact at each stage of your journey.
Can you refresh an existing brand?
Absolutely! We specialise in evolving brands while preserving their core identity.
How long does the branding process take?
Most branding projects take 6–8 weeks, depending on scope and complexity.
What if I want to keep part of my brand and change the rest?
Not a problem. We can refine and modernise specific elements while maintaining the others
What’s included in your brand-building services?
We create brand strategy, naming, visual identity, messaging, and guidelines to ensure a cohesive brand experience.
Do you offer service-for-equity to everyone?
Not every business is a good candidate for a variety of reasons. We work with a select number of companies each year when it makes sense for everyone involved.
How much equity do you take?
Very little. We simply convert our discount on fees into equity at the current valuation. Typically this converts at less than 1% equity.
How do you choose which startups to invest in?
We look for innovative ideas, strong founding teams, and alignment with our expertise in brand and product design. We also highly value introductions from our trusted partners.
What is a venture studio?
It can mean different things. In our case, it means that when it makes sense for everyone involved, we provide a portion of our services in exchange for equity.
How does fractional differ from a retainer?
Fractional services focus on leadership and strategy, while retainers are more execution-based.
How is a fractional engagement structured?
We work with you for a set number of hours per week, integrating into your team like an internal hire.
Who is fractional design best suited for?
Startups and growing businesses that need expert design leadership but aren’t ready to hire full-time.
What is a fractional design service?
We act as your part-time design advisor, providing strategic and executional support without the cost of hiring in-house.
What is the minimum retainer commitment?
Our minimum commitment is three months to ensure we deliver meaningful impact.
Can I adjust the scope each month?
Yes, we can shift priorities based on your evolving needs.
When does a project make sense?
When the outcome and deliverables are well defined. When it is a bit more ambiguous, a retainer can be a better option.
How long does a typical project take?
Timelines vary depending on scope, but most projects take between 4 to 12 weeks.
Do you provide post-launch support?
Yes, we can offer ongoing support to refine and optimise your product after launch if needed.
What is a design retainer, and how does it work?
A retainer gives you access to our team on an ongoing basis for a set number of days per month.
What are the benefits of a retainer vs. a project?
A retainer provides flexibility, continuous improvements, and a dedicated team that understands your brand and product.
How we do it

Startup pace

You want to move fast. So do we. We operate as a nimble, high-powered team working hand-in-hand with early-stage founders. We know your world and understand the tradeoffs. We help you to prioritise design tasks to have the greatest impact.

Shared tools and face-2-face interactions

Right from the project kick-off, we'll establish a working rhythm that matches the needs of your team using common tools like Figma and Slack.

Sydney-based, globally powered

We have built an incredible network of incredibly talented designers and thinkers - both locally and globally. Each person in team is hand-selected based on expertise and project chemistry to bring your product vision to life.

Business Goals

We’re allergic to agency overhead, bureaucracy, and process. We evaluate our work based on business results, not industry awards. We’re proud of the growth we’ve helped create.

Highly collaborative

Expect stand-ups, shared tools, workshops and ceremonies to keep you in the loop. We’ll involve you as much as you’d like to be involved this also extends towards any advisors, or others who you would like to bring along on the journey.


Strategy with execution

Exploring the right questions is as important speed of delivery.  We seek to understand the problem you aim to solve, and how design is best leverage to boost business impact. This informs how we build the product now to efficiently achieve your future goals.

Case Studies

Arkeus
Arkeus
A website built with the same precision as the technology it sells.
Deeligence
Deeligence
Harnessing AI to streamline how law firms provide due diligence.
Sven
Sven
Taking the pain out of temporary work

Recent News