16 Best Design Thinking Consulting Agencies to Hire in 2025

Design thinking gets mixed reactions. Some see it as a useful framework. Others see it as sticky-note theater.

The truth lies in how it’s applied.

When done right, it brings structure to messy problems. It aligns teams, uncovers real user needs, and turns vague ideas into testable solutions. When done wrong, it burns time and delivers little.

This matters most in SaaS. Startups move fast. They pivot often. There’s no room for bloated processes or vague strategies. Teams need clarity, speed, and design that actually solves something, not just looks good.

That’s where Eleken comes in. We focus on SaaS products and use design thinking to help teams make better decisions, faster. It’s why we consider ourselves the top design thinking agency for our audience.

We’ll cover:

• What design thinking really means (minus the buzzwords)
• How it plays out in consulting
• And the 21 agencies we trust to do it right, from startup-savvy studios to global innovation giants

Let’s get into it.

What is design thinking (and why do people love to hate it)?

Design thinking is a structured, user-centered approach to problem solving. It helps teams move from assumptions to real insight, and from vague ideas to tested solutions. It's especially useful when the problem isn't fully defined or when innovation is the goal.

Instead of rushing to build, design thinking starts by understanding the people you're building for. It challenges teams to ask better questions, test assumptions early, and make decisions based on evidence rather than guesswork.

At its core, it’s about reducing risk, not by moving slower, but by validating faster.

The five fundamental principles of design thinking

These aren’t fixed steps you follow once. They’re phases you loop through as needed:

1. Empathize‍

Start with people. Use interviews, shadowing, and observation to understand what users truly need, not just what they say they want.‍

2. Define‍

Synthesize what you’ve learned into a clear problem s4tatement. Frame it in a way that’s focused, human-centered, and actionable.

3. Ideate‍

Generate many possible solutions. Think beyond the obvious. Encourage wild ideas, even if they seem impractical at first.

4. Prototype‍

Build quick, low-fidelity versions of ideas. These are meant to be rough. The goal is to explore, not impress.

5. Test‍

Put your prototypes in front of real users. Get feedback. Refine, discard, or completely rethink based on what you learn.

Design thinking isn’t exclusive to designers. It's a shared framework that helps cross-functional teams work better together. And while it’s easy to misuse — turning into sticky-note theater or jargon-filled workshops — when done right, it leads to better decisions and better products.

It’s not a buzzword. It’s a practical process for solving the right problems before solving them well.

Next, let’s see how this actually plays out in consulting work.

How design thinking consultants solve real problems

In the world of consulting, design thinking isn’t just a method, it’s a mindset for helping clients turn fuzzy problems into focused strategies. The design thinking consultant doesn’t come in with answers. They help uncover the right questions.

Consultants use it to align stakeholders, explore risks early, and cut through assumptions. It brings structure to fuzzy goals and helps teams avoid jumping straight into execution.

Here’s what it usually looks like in action:

• Start with people

Consultants interview users, observe behaviors, and gather insights. This builds empathy and uncovers real needs, not just business assumptions.

• Define the problem‍

Using that research, they frame a clear challenge. Often, the client’s original request changes at this stage because the root problem turns out to be something else.

• Explore solutions‍

Teams generate options through workshops and brainstorming. This phase encourages breadth before narrowing in. The goal isn’t to get it right immediately, but to explore enough to find what works.

• Prototype and test‍

Quick mockups, storyboards, or clickable demos are created and tested with users. Feedback shapes what moves forward and what gets dropped.

• Guide decisions‍

Throughout the process, the consultant’s role is to help teams make informed choices, not just design deliverables. That’s the real value.

For SaaS teams, this approach is especially valuable. Whether it's a new feature, a product pivot, or a full redesign, design thinking helps teams move fast without guessing.

The Cylynx project is one of many design thinking examples where practical application turned early concepts into usable, user-centered solutions. By auditing the UX, researching use cases, and iterating based on feedback, they restructured the platform to make complex data visualization usable for non-technical users.

IBM took design thinking even further, embedding it into company culture by training over 100,000 employees. The goal wasn’t better interfaces, but better collaboration and faster, user-centered product delivery across teams.

Now that we’ve looked at how the process works, let’s look at the agencies that do it best. While many popular web design companies mention design thinking, only a few truly integrate it into their workflow.

Top design thinking consulting firms

Not every agency that says they do design thinking actually lives it. The ones below bake it into how they research, collaborate, and prototype, turning complex problems into human-centered solutions.

We’ve selected some of the best UX agencies that don’t just talk about design thinking — they build better products with it.

Whether you're a startup founder or with a Fortune 500 team, these design consulting firms show how design thinking drives real results.

1. Eleken

Founded: 2015 (Ukraine)

Notable approach: Flat-rate subscription model — flexible, scalable, no hidden fees

Clients: SaaS startups like Cylynx, TextMagic, and Acadeum

Eleken is a ux research agency that applies ux design for startups without the theater. Their embedded designers start with user research to empathize and define real problems — then move fast through ideation, prototyping, and iteration. Every insight gets translated directly into wireframes and user flows. No bloated decks, just actionable progress.

Clutch rating: 4.9/5.0 from 100+ reviews

Why choose Eleken: If you want a UX team that thinks like strategists and works like product designers — applying design thinking with startup speed — Eleken is your match.

‍2. Clay

Founded: 2009 (USA)

Notable approach: Combines brand and product design under one roof, ensuring seamless handoff between strategy, UX, and UI

Clients: Slack, Google, Coinbase, Facebook

Clay is a San Francisco-based design thinking firm known for sleek, high-fidelity design grounded in strategy. Their design thinking process starts with deep discovery, aligning user needs with business goals before jumping into visuals. The result is consistent, branded product experiences across every screen. Clay is regularly featured among the top UI/UX design agencies for their ability to align brand and product through strategy-led design thinking.

Clutch rating: 4.9/5.0

Why choose Clay: Clay is ideal if you want UX that’s both beautiful and business-aware. They’re best for teams beyond the MVP stage who need polish, depth, and consistency at scale.

3. Adam Fard Studio 

Founded: 2016 (Germany)

Notable approach: Merges UX research and product strategy with strong process documentation

Clients: TIER Mobility, SAP, and various healthtech startups

Adam Fard Studio is a research-first design thinking consultancy that transforms insights into product decisions. Their team excels in transforming complex ideas into validated product strategies, often through structured discovery workshops, stakeholder interviews, and usability testing. Their case studies reflect a methodical UX strategy proces that informs every UX decision.

Clutch rating: 5.0/5.0

Why choose Adam Fard Studio: If you need a design partner that will challenge assumptions, structure problems, and back everything up with real research, this team delivers.

4. Momentum Design Lab 

Founded: 2002 (USA)

Notable approach: Merges design thinking with product delivery — from research to clickable prototypes and development handoff

Clients: Microsoft, PayPal, Verifone

Momentum Design Lab brings design thinking into complex enterprise environments. They focus on solving high-stakes problems through deep research, co-creation workshops, and rapid prototyping — making them a top design thinking consulting firm for enterprise UX challenges. Their team is especially strong in fintech, data-heavy apps, and enterprise software. A go-to among top US-based design consultancy firms.

Clutch rating: 4.8/5.0

Why choose Momentum: If your product is complex and you need a team that speaks both design and development fluently, Momentum is a solid bet.

5. UX studio 

Founded: 2013 (Hungary)

Notable approach: Flexible partnership model — from one-off UX audits to long-term product design support

Clients: Netflix, Google, HBO, and mid-stage SaaS companies

UX studio takes a research-first approach to design, embedding itself into design-led startups and product teams to uncover pain points and test and design a prototype in fast cycles. Their process is grounded in design thinking but stays practical — user interviews, testing, and co-creation over bloated workshops.

Clutch rating: 4.8/5.0

Why choose UX studio: They’re a great fit if you want continuous UX improvement backed by real research. Think product team extension, not agency handoff.

6. IDEO 

Founded: 1991 (USA)

Notable approach: Deep ethnographic research + prototyping to drive innovation

Clients: Ford, Mayo Clinic, IKEA, and dozens of Fortune 500 firms

IDEO coined the modern idea of design thinking, and they still lead the way in applying it across industries. Their approach involves deep user research, visual storytelling, ideation workshops, and testing prototypes with real users. They don’t just redesign products — they help organizations rethink entire business models. A legendary design thinking agency by reputation and results.

Why choose IDEO: If you’re looking for a partner to help spark radical innovation from the inside out, IDEO sets the benchmark.

7. McKinsey Design 

Founded: 2018 (Design arm of McKinsey, Global)

Notable approach: Combines classic business consulting with human-centered design to align stakeholders

Clients: Global Fortune 500 companies across industries like healthcare, finance, and logistics

McKinsey Design helps large organizations move from strategy slides to product outcomes. They use design thinking to uncover user needs, align exec teams, and build roadmaps that drive measurable results. Expect more strategy facilitation than hands-on UI work — but their frameworks bring clarity to messy, cross-functional challenges.

Why choose McKinsey Design: Ideal for large-scale digital initiatives where internal alignment and executive buy-in are as critical as the product itself.

8. IBM iX

Founded: 2014 (Global)

Notable approach: Enterprise-wide DT adoption — over 100K employees trained in IBM’s own design framework

Clients: Lufthansa, Sprint, GE, and major global banks

IBM iX blends design, tech, and consulting to solve enterprise-wide challenges. Their version of design thinking focuses on multidisciplinary teams, real-time prototyping, and aligning user needs with large system architecture. They’re among the most recognized design consulting firms for large-scale transformation.

Why choose IBM iX: Choose them when you need not just a great UX, but a shift in how your company solves problems and builds products.

9. Fjord / Accenture Song

Founded: 2001 (acquired by Accenture in 2013, now Accenture Song)

Notable approach: Focus on service design, not just screens — mapping entire customer journeys

Clients: BMW, Aegon, European banks, telecoms, and public services

Fjord (now part of Accenture Song) takes a holistic view of design, combining digital, physical, and organizational touchpoints into cohesive service experiences. They’re strong on cross-channel strategy, CX transformation, and human-centered service ecosystems.

Why choose Fjord: Great if you’re a large org tackling customer pain points across multiple platforms and departments.‍

10. BCG Digital Ventures 

Founded: 2014 (Global)

Notable approach: Embeds venture teams into client orgs — from research to MVP launch

Clients: Global brands in finance, mobility, healthcare, and energy

BCG Digital Ventures helps enterprises build and launch new products like a startup — but with corporate backing. Their process integrates lean startup, design thinking, and agile delivery to validate ideas and bring them to life quickly. The firm handles everything from ethnographic research to go-to-market plans. Their human-centered approach places them among today’s most practical and impactful design thinking firms.

Why choose BCG DV: A strong pick for companies that want to test bold ideas without risking their core business, and need an experienced team to build fast.

11. Designit 

Founded: 1991 (Denmark, now part of Wipro)

Notable approach: Agile DT applied to enterprise innovation — from products to service ecosystems

Clients: Mercedes-Benz, Telefónica, pharma, and healthcare companies

Designit operates at the intersection of business, technology, and design. With an agile, research-led process and multidisciplinary teams, they stand out among global design thinking companies. Their methods support high-impact change from leadership strategy to frontline UX.

Why choose Designit: Choose them when you need strategic design with real reach, capable of influencing C-level roadmaps and frontline experience alike.

12. Frog 

Founded: 1969 (now part of Capgemini Invent)

Notable approach: Deep ethnographic research + industrial + service design

Clients: Apple, Disney, GE, Google, Volvo

Frog is a design consultancy known for turning big ideas into iconic experiences. Their design thinking process starts with in-depth user research and generates bold, future-forward concepts. Now part of Capgemini, Frog can deliver at global scale — from smart devices to enterprise UX.

Why choose Frog: For high-impact innovation that blends product strategy, UX, and standout aesthetics, Frog is hard to beat.

13. Deloitte Doblin

Founded: 1981 (now part of Deloitte)

Notable approach: The “Ten Types of Innovation” framework blends human-centered design with business model innovation

Clients: Banks, insurers, healthcare providers, public sector institutions

Doblin, now Deloitte’s innovation arm, pioneered the application of design thinking beyond product UX — helping companies reimagine customer experiences, services, and revenue models. Their process starts with ethnographic research and journey mapping, often guided by strong product vision examples, and goes further to validate ideas against financial, operational, and strategic metrics.

Why choose Doblin: Ideal for organizations that need more than just design — Doblin helps decide what to innovate and why, not just how. Their structured, strategic approach makes them especially effective with executive stakeholders and enterprise-scale change.

14. Fantasy 

Founded: 1999 (USA)

Notable approach: Futuristic UI/UX concepts grounded in human-centered research and storytelling

Clients: Tesla, Google, CNBC, Marriott, Dolby, Facebook

Fantasy is a boutique product design studio known for creating forward-thinking digital experiences. Their design thinking process blends user research with imagination, producing polished prototypes and motion studies that push creative boundaries while staying usable and on-brand. They specialize in turning complex enterprise tools into elegant, intuitive interfaces. Their work often tackles design and friction in high-stakes UX — showing how even a mobile app design agency can use design thinking to ground bold ideas in user needs..

Why choose Fantasy: If you want an interface that turns heads and elevates your brand, Fantasy brings the vision, polish, and depth to make your product unforgettable.

15. EPAM Continuum 

Founded: Originally as Continuum (1981), acquired by EPAM in 2018. 

Notable approach: Integrates service design, product innovation, and tech execution through human-centered research

Clients: Procter & Gamble, Bank of America, Reebok, global telecoms, and healthcare providers

EPAM Continuum blends service and digital innovation, evolving from a physical product studio into a full-spectrum product design company. They uncover user needs through field research, then prototype and test full-service experiences from hardware to apps to in-store flows. Their legacy includes the Swiffer, the Reebok Pump, and Bank of America’s “Keep the Change” program. Now as part of EPAM, they can take ideas from insight to fully built solutions.

Why choose EPAM Continuum: A great choice when your innovation challenge spans digital, physical, and operational layers — they connect the dots between vision and execution, design and delivery.

16. Work & Co

Founded: 2013 (Brooklyn, USA)

Notable approach: Small, senior teams working in close collaboration with clients; rapid prototyping and continuous testing

Clients: Apple, IKEA, Nike, Gatorade, MTA, Planned Parenthood, Givenchy

Work & Co is a digital product agency that emphasizes close collaboration and iterative design. Their teams — designers, developers, and strategists — work as one with client teams, ensuring every decision is tied to user needs. It’s an approach grounded in design-driven development, where code, design, and strategy evolve in sync. Whether you're aiming to design an app or reinvent a full digital platform, Work & Co delivers thoughtful, testable solutions with clarity and speed.

Why choose Work & Co: Ideal for organizations seeking a partner that integrates strategy, design, and development to deliver impactful digital products through a collaborative, design thinking-driven process.

Each agency we’ve listed brings its own flavor to design thinking from fast-moving SaaS specialists to enterprise-scale innovation consultants. What they share is a commitment to solving the right problems, not just designing polished screens.

So what does all this mean for the future of design and consulting?

Conclusion: Design thinking as the new consulting superpower

Design thinking isn’t just a creative process, it’s a mindset that’s reshaping how companies solve problems, explore new ideas, and build products that matter. In the hands of the right agency, it turns vague challenges into real solutions through empathy, experimentation, and iteration.

As businesses face faster change and rising complexity, the role of designers is evolving. They’re no longer just crafting interfaces, they’re facilitating alignment, driving innovation, and helping organizations make smarter decisions. In other words, they’re becoming strategic consultants with the tools to turn insight into action.

Design thinking is no longer optional. It’s the difference between building what users want and guessing. And with the right design thinking experts by your side, your next product or service won’t just meet expectations — it’ll exceed them.

Looking for a partner that delivers real outcomes, fast? Talk to Eleken and let’s build something great together.