Building beyond expectation
As a strategic and creative partner, we build new futures from existing strengths, evolving legacies to meet the world as it evolves.
We start with yes
We approach our work with an ambitious optimism toward what could be. At Upperquad, we start every project with an open mind and a drive to make something exceptional.
We engage thoughtfully
We focus on nurturing new ideas from our team, our clients, and our partners. We invite diverse voices to the table and listen with intention, collaborating actively and sharing openly so that others feel empowered to do the same.
We relentlessly pursue
We explore, discover, think, organize and push forward. We engage with thorny questions and always ask, “why?” We push our collective capabilities, relentlessly pursuing the best possible answer— because we love what we do.
The pursuit
We are a small group of genuinely engaged and enthusiastic experts. Individually, we focus on developing our craft and defining our own career paths. Collectively, we aspire to be brave with our ideas and kind in our interactions. We feed off of each other’s passion and energy to make great work.
Initiatives
A collection of internal projects and initiatives, often launched from personal passion and intended to inspire, broaden our horizons, and challenge our existing skill sets.
FAQs
- What is Upperquad?
Upperquad is an independent creative company that combines strategy, design, and technology to bring ideas and experiences to life. As a full-service partner to ambitious brands, we turn best-in-class brand experiences into opportunities for future growth.
- Where is Upperquad located?
Upperquad is based in San Francisco, California, and operates as a distributed team. Our designers, developers, strategists, and producers collaborate remotely and gather periodically for in-person working sessions.
- What services does Upperquad offer?
Upperquad offers brand strategy, brand identity, digital experience design, and web development. Our strategy services include research, competitive analysis, brand positioning, and workshops. Our design and development capabilities span identity systems, website and app design, interaction design, front and back end development, ecommerce, and WebGL 3D experiences.
- Who are Upperquad's clients?
Upperquad partners with forward-thinking teams of all sizes, from startups to global brands. Our clients include Google DeepMind, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Patagonia, Stanford d.school, Ford Foundation, Robinhood, Lyft, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, 826 Valencia, and Jigsaw, among others.
- What industries does Upperquad specialize in?
Upperquad has deep experience across AI and machine learning, digital storytelling, platforms and commerce, and social impact. We make complex, technical subjects approachable and have built experiences for applied research platforms, digital publications, ecommerce stores, and nonprofit organizations.
- What is Upperquad's creative approach?
Our process is rooted in strategy and exploration. We start by immersing ourselves in business intelligence and consumer research, then identify commercial and cultural opportunities, and finally build brand ideas, systems, and experiences. We take a human-centered design approach, collaborating closely with our clients throughout every phase.
- Has Upperquad won any design awards?
Yes. Upperquad has received over 70 industry awards including multiple Webby Awards, Awwwards Site of the Day honors, Communication Arts Interactive Awards, and FWA Site of the Day selections. Notable awarded projects include work for Patagonia, Jigsaw, Google Santa Tracker, and Stanford d.school.