When software founders and product managers consider adding artificial intelligence (AI) to a product, they often reach for a developer or an off‑the‑shelf model. That’s only half the work. Getting the user experience right is just as important. According to a global Tech Nation survey, more than 73% of organisations are either using or piloting artificial intelligence.
For design teams, the tipping point arrived when 93% of web designers reported using AI in design tasks. In this environment, an ai product design agency isn’t a luxury; it’s the difference between a technical showcase and a product people love. This article, written from my experience at Parallel, looks at ten agencies blending artificial intelligence with good product thinking.
1) Parallel
Parallel started as a group of designers and engineers running design sprints for seed‑stage startups. We learned that speed and clarity matter more than fancy deliverables. Our offerings now include discovery workshops, product design, user research and artificial intelligence experiences.
At Parallel we don’t drop a chatbot into a flow and call it a day; we map customer paths, pick the right models and prototype quickly. Early‑stage teams choose us because we work like a partner – hands‑on, collaborative and transparent.
We’ve seen teams waste months building fancy dashboards before talking to users. In our workshops, founders can test an idea in a week and decide if outside design support will help them scale.
2) Cieden
Data and interface design are Cieden’s sweet spots. Their portfolio spans business‑to‑business platforms and SaaS tools, with a focus on analytics dashboards and conversational interfaces. Superside’s report notes that Cieden is a B2B‑focused design agency offering web design, UI/UX, business analysis and even video production. They also build design systems and guidelines that help teams scale. If you’re a product leader with large datasets or planning to add machine learning to dashboards, Cieden has the skills to translate complex inputs into clear interfaces. Their client list includes Carbon Lighthouse, MedEntry and Open IQ, and review platforms such as Clutch and GoodFirms recognise their work. In other words, they’re a solid ai product design agency when you need structure and rigour.
3) Superside
Superside calls itself a creative service, but under the hood it’s an ai product design agency with serious scale. Their integrated human‑plus‑AI workflow claims to deliver projects five times faster, and a pilot programme saved clients 1,015 hours and over $81,000 in two months. A recent McKinsey survey cited in Superside’s own blog notes that artificial intelligence can improve business efficiency by up to 40% and reduce costs by 30%. Superside uses tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney and DALL‑E to generate imagery and content at speed while relying on human creatives to polish the work. If you need a high volume of marketing assets, ad concepts or brand illustrations quickly and consistently, Superside’s subscription model makes sense. Just know that you’ll be part of a production line – good for campaigns, less so for deep product strategy.
4) The Gradient
Originally known for editorial analysis of artificial intelligence research, The Gradient now partners with fintech and consumer‑technology companies. They specialise in generative interfaces that respond to user intent, such as recommendation engines or smart content feeds. Projects like video‑analytics platforms and AI coaches show their range. While not as large as some peers, The Gradient is nimble. They run lean teams of designers, data scientists and engineers who deliver prototypes quickly, then iterate based on data. For startups building consumer apps with generative features – a personal finance assistant or a streaming recommendation service – a focused AI product design agency like The Gradient can deliver both algorithm and interface.
5) Lazarev
Lazarev started in Kyiv and has grown into a global product design studio with an emphasis on SaaS and Web3. Clients often come to them with heavy datasets, complex dashboards or token‑based economies. Lazarev’s designers work closely with development teams to make sure every chart and table supports a business outcome. They build prototypes that include data visualisation, micro‑interactions and accessibility considerations. Review platforms highlight their deep bench of UX strategists, motion designers and business analysts. If your product involves large transaction volumes, real‑time analytics or decentralised tech, a product design agency can help you turn complexity into clarity.
6) Reaktor
Reaktor is a technology consultancy from Helsinki with a strong design practice and a track record in artificial intelligence. Their services span strategy, data pipelines, model selection and interface design. In 2024, the Stanford AI Index reported that private AI investment in the United States reached $109.1 billion, with 78% of organisations using AI. Reaktor’s clients want to move from pilot projects to embedded intelligent systems, and the company offers end‑to‑end support: from assessing where algorithms can add value to building production‑ready code. They’ve worked with airlines on predictive maintenance, with retail brands on personalised shopping experiences, and with media companies on content recommendation engines. For teams that need more than a prototype – for example, integrating large language models into existing infrastructure – Reaktor is a mature ai product design agency.
7) Momentum
Momentum focuses on healthcare and wellness products. They partner with med‑tech startups to speed up clinical workflows, reduce errors and improve patient experience. Healthcare is heavily regulated, so they invest time in compliance and data privacy. Drawing from industry reports, generative tools in healthcare were used by 55% of organisations in 2023 and jumped to 75% in 2024, delivering a 3.7× return on investment. That momentum is why we see more digital therapeutics and remote monitoring solutions using artificial intelligence. At Momentum, designers work alongside clinicians and data scientists to ensure that interfaces are safe, accessible and intuitive. If you’re building a telehealth platform or an AI‑driven diagnostic tool, this AI product design agency understands both technology and patient care.
8) Fantasy
Fantasy is a two‑decade‑old design studio famous for working with brands like Netflix, Spotify and Google. According to Solute Labs’ 2025 overview, Fantasy’s team mixes design, strategy and machine learning to produce human‑centered experiences for web, mobile and emerging platforms. They work on prototypes for voice‑enabled assistants, interactive displays and cross‑platform ecosystems. Their strengths lie in concepting and storytelling – they bring emotion and polish to complex interfaces. If your goal is to make artificial intelligence invisible and intuitive for users, this ai product design agency has the track record and creative muscle to deliver.
9) Linkup Studio
Linkup Studio positions itself as a product development firm that writes production code. They blend design, engineering and product management, ensuring that prototypes turn into shipped features. Teams that have built machine‑learning models often underestimate the time it takes to integrate them into a reliable product. Linkup covers everything: market research, wireframes, proof‑of‑concepts, full‑stack development and ongoing maintenance. They are a good fit for startups who want one partner for strategy, design and development. For example, an e‑commerce platform adding an intelligent recommender could work with Linkup to design the user interface, choose the algorithm and implement it. That full‑stack capability sets them apart from design‑only studios and makes them a practical partner for founders who need production support.
10) Koncepted
Koncepted offers subscription‑based design. Clients pay a monthly fee and receive logos, branding, web and app design, motion graphics, pitch decks and even 3D artwork. Superside’s research lists Koncepted’s service range and notes that their packages cost between $3,995 and $15,995 per month. This model is attractive when you need continuous creative output without negotiating every invoice. Their roster includes gaming and fintech companies, and they have a global team spread across time zones. If your startup requires a steady stream of design assets – from product screens to investor presentations – and you’re comfortable with subscription pricing, Koncepted is a flexible partner.
Why should startups work with AI product design agencies?
Why choose any agency at all? Because smart product design improves outcomes. A McKinsey survey found that artificial intelligence can raise business efficiency by up to 40% and cut costs by 30%. Research from Founders Forum shows that nearly four out of five organisations are engaged with artificial intelligence in some form.
An Exploding Topics report notes that the global AI market is already worth around $391 billion and is projected to grow nearly five‑fold by 2030. With adoption accelerating, design teams can’t ignore automation. At the same time, tools alone are not enough. Superside’s survey reminds us that human designers still need to steer the process because AI lacks intuition and emotion. The right design partner will combine data‑driven insights with craft, giving you both speed and polish.
Conclusion
Selecting a partner isn’t just about who has the fanciest portfolio. You’re choosing partners who will shape your product’s direction, the way people use your service and how quickly you learn from real data.
In our work at Parallel, we’ve learned that early validation beats perfection, that user research should guide which machine‑learning models you build, and that a clear strategy is better than hype.
Whether you need a quick prototype, a full brand identity or a custom artificial‑intelligence feature, match your stage and goals with the agency’s strengths. When teams combine user‑focused design with machine learning, they can create products that feel natural and deliver value.
Frequently asked questions
1) What makes an agency a true AI design partner?
It’s not enough to sprinkle models into an app. A genuine AI design partner uses artificial intelligence to enhance research, inform interfaces and support strategic decisions. They build prototypes that pair machine learning with human‑centred design, automate repetitive steps and integrate models into the product roadmap.
2) How do I know if I should hire an AI design agency?
Consider hiring one when you need better UX, quicker prototyping or integration of machine‑learning features into your user flows. If your team lacks in‑house design or research expertise, or if speed and insight are crucial, an outside studio can provide structure and momentum.
3) Should early‑stage startups work with big agencies?
Not always. Smaller teams like Parallel or Cieden often match the pace and budget of startups better. If you need a steady stream of visual assets, Superside’s model offers volume at predictable cost. Larger studios may be better for established companies with complex requirements.
4) How do agencies balance artificial intelligence with human design?
Most teams treat algorithms as helpers rather than replacements. In the creative sector, Superside found that combining machine tools with human creativity saved clients significant time without sacrificing quality. Designers still make the final calls, while models handle repetitive tasks and data‑driven suggestions.
5) How much do AI‑focused agencies typically cost?
Rates vary. Cieden’s pricing depends on project scope. Koncepted’s subscription packages range from around $3,995 to $15,995 per month. Many studios start around $50–$99 per hour or require minimum project budgets near $10,000. Always clarify pricing early and align it with your stage and resources.
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