Hello, I am
Claire Smith,
I design digital products that feel simple to use and easy to trust, helping teams turn complex ideas into clear experiences.
Solo studio. Small but strong.
A look at how I work, and why staying small keeps the quality high.
Claire Smith
Good work needs focus. I keep my practice small and hands on, so every project gets real attention. Based in New York, working with teams anywhere, one product at a time.
Most of my work starts with questions. Who is this for, what do they need, and where do they get stuck. From there I move fast so the final product feels obvious in the best way.
My design journey so far.
Over 10 years of experience helping startups turn complicated ideas into products people find easy to use. I work across research, interface design, and prototyping, staying close to the details that make an experience feel effortless.
What I use in my workflow
Some clients I've worked with.
From early stage founders to established product teams, here's who I've partnered with.
2+
2+
Years of experience
85%
85%
Client satisfaction
24+
24+
Products shipped
$240K
$240K
Funding raised
What I believe.
A short list of principles that guide how I design, prototype, and ship.
Quick answers to common questions.
Everything you need to know before we start working together.
What kind of projects do you take on?
I focus on end-to-end product and web design for early-stage startups and small SaaS teams. If your project involves shaping a fuzzy idea into something polished and shippable, we'll likely be a great fit.
How long does a typical engagement last?
Most projects run four to eight weeks from kickoff to handoff. For larger scopes or ongoing work, I switch to a monthly retainer so we can move at a sustainable pace.
Do you work with teams outside your time zone?
Yes — I'm based in New York and currently collaborate with teams across Europe and the West Coast. Async by default, with a weekly sync to keep everyone aligned.
What does your design process look like?
We start with a short discovery week to align on goals, users, and constraints. From there I move in weekly design sprints with regular reviews, so you always see progress before the final handoff.
What tools and platforms do you design with?
My core stack is Figma for interface design and Framer for production-ready sites. I also use tools like Notion, Loom, and Linear to keep handoffs clean and communication async-friendly.
Can I hire you for a one-off task instead of a full project?
Absolutely. I offer day-rate sprints for focused needs like landing page refreshes, design audits, or quick prototypes. We scope it together beforehand so there are no surprises.
