What is an AI native studio?
A studio that builds AI into every step of the process. At each phase it is clear from the start which work AI does and who makes the decision.
From research to release: how we work
An AI native studio, one that builds AI into every step of the process, designing and engineering in one team.
Four phases from research to release. One team, one point of contact.
Discover: research & listen
What we do
Every engagement starts with evidence, not assumptions. We talk to real users, study the existing product and listen to your stakeholders. The goal is to confirm that the problem in the brief is the real problem.
What AI does
It helps us analyse interview notes, work through the data and prepare the research report. Recurring themes and contradictions surface quickly.
What people decide
Our team speaks with users in person. The team decides which findings are real and which are noise. We write the research questions ourselves.
What you gain
You don't spend budget solving the wrong problem. You get evidence you can take to leadership.
Define: strategy & prototype
What we do
We turn findings into direction: strategy, information architecture and interactive prototypes. We validate the idea while changing it is still cheap.
What AI does
It generates many alternative flows and screens quickly. It gets prototypes clickable earlier.
What people decide
We choose the direction and set priorities together with you. We test prototypes with real users.
What you gain
You see options in a working prototype, not a slide deck. You get leadership sign-off early.
Deliver: design & build
What we do
Design and engineering work as one team, with no handoff between them. We build interfaces on a real design system and ship them as production code. Web, mobile, back-end and integrations sit in the same team.
What AI does
We design directly with AI tools and take the work to production ready. The path from design to a working product gets shorter.
What people decide
Our engineers make the architecture decisions, and all code is reviewed. Accessibility and security checks stay with our team.
What you gain
What is approved in design is what reaches the browser. You have one point of contact and one team accountable. You see working releases regularly throughout the project.
Read more: design to code with AI
Let's talk about taking your product through these four phases. Send your brief to hello@things.ist; we reply within 48 hours.
Grow: measure & iterate
What we do
Launch is a checkpoint, not an ending. We measure what shipped, watch how it is used and keep iterating on the results.
What AI does
It supports our data analysis. It helps us work through large volumes of usage data and feedback quickly, so we can see what works and what doesn't.
What people decide
We set priorities and the roadmap together with you.
What you gain
You are not left alone after launch. Next steps rest on measurement, not opinion.
Where we don't use AI
- AI does not run user interviews; our team does.
- No unreviewed design or code goes live.
- AI does not make the final design or engineering call; a person reviews every output.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for work produced with AI?
We are. Someone on our team reviews and approves every output AI produces.
How long does a project take?
Most projects take 10–16 weeks from kickoff to launch.
Let's talk about your product
Let's talk about taking your product through these four phases. Send your brief to hello@things.ist; we reply within 48 hours.
You can also reach us through our contact page.