YU MANIFESTO
“Experience design is a powerful tool - one we use to shape better systems, empower communities, and build products that truly matter. We collaborate with mission-driven teams to turn purpose into action, leveraging emerging technologies like AI - responsibly and ethically. We design for accessibility. For inclusion. For sustainability. Not as afterthoughts - but as guiding principles.


This is how we work. This is why we design.”
- The Yellow Umbrella Team
OVERVIEW
8+
years of
purposeful design
Founded in New York 8 years ago by designers and engineers, with a mission to design tools for positive impact.
500+
user
sessions
User interviews led across humanitarian, medtech, healthcare, and tech sectors with CEOs, directors, volunteers, doctors, nurses, technicians, patients, teachers, students - basically, any type of user you can imagine.
40+
countries
reached
The number of countries where we have conducted user interviews - spanning every continent, with that number growing every year.
OUR TEAM
We are a dynamic, forward-thinking design agency with roots in both the creative energy of New York and the thoughtful, refined approach of Switzerland, blending these worlds to craft innovative, purposeful solutions that make a global impact.

Our international team combines diverse cultural perspectives and deep design expertise, conducting user studies across the globe to create solutions that resonate with communities worldwide. We bring a wealth of experience from every corner of the world, speaking 6 languages and representing 5 different nationalities, allowing us to understand and connect with users in ways that are both local and universal.
With team members based across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, we operate across time zones, staying close to our clients’ needs and bringing insights grounded in real-world experience and cultural fluency.

We are a global collective of marketing strategists, designers, and engineers, dedicated to building meaningful products and digital experiences that engage and inspire users worldwide.

Our expertise in designing data platforms and AI-powered tools positions us to create intuitive, impactful experiences for any user — in today’s AI-driven economy, society, and future.
EXPERTISE
Experience Design (UX/XD/UI)
Wireframing & prototyping
Experience journey mapping
Accessibility & usability analysis
Design systems & UI
AI ethics scan
Insights & Strategy
User interviews & usability testing
Data & design intelligence
Product & UX strategy
AI-ready planning
Ethical data use in design
Collaboration & Facilitation
Discovery & strategy workshops
Design thinking facilitation
Collaborative design sprints
Stakeholder alignment sessions
Event presentation & talks
“ Working with YU transformed our approach. Their collaborative process with our team and the communities we serve resulted in solutions that truly make a difference. They brought creativity, insight, and a deep understanding of our mission, all while prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability. Thanks to their research-driven design, our platform now better meets the needs of our users."
— Emma Rodriguez, Executive Director, [Organization Name]
SELECTED CLIENTS
We collaborate with forward-thinking organizations, from innovative startups to some of the world’s largest humanitarian groups.
IFRC
International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies is the world’s largest humanitarian organization.
ICRC
Leading global humanitarian aid and protection organization committed to assisting victims of conflict and disaster.
UNFPA
UN agency advancing gender equality, empowerment, and addressing gender-based violence globally.
Gates Foundation
Global philanthropic leader advancing health, education, and opportunity, empowering individuals and communities to build a better future.
EPFL
A world top Swiss tech university driving innovation through research and collaboration in science and engineering.
IDMC
Leading humanitarian source of data on internal displacement, guiding global policy and response for affected populations.
iMMAP
A nonprofit helping humanitarian actors make data-driven decisions for effective aid and emergency response.
Pristem
Medical imaging company providing equitable, sustainable access to affordable, high-quality diagnostics for all.
GRC
National Red Cross Society in Germany, historically involved in wartime policies and humanitarian aid efforts.
D&T
Product agency based in Chicago and New York helping Fortune 500s and startups build the future of digital.
GTS
Ground Truth Solutions is an international NGO empowering crisis-affected communities to improve aid delivery and trust.
PHIP
Population Health Improvement Partners is a US nonprofit that boosts capacity to improve health equity and tackle big challenges.
Urbio
Urbio is revolutionizing building efficiency to combat climate change.
Emissium
Provides data-driven solutions to track and reduce electricity-related CO₂ emissions for a cleaner energy future.
Tech4Impact
Initiative accelerating sustainable tech solutions to drive positive societal and environmental impact.
DFS
Data Friendly Space provides digital tools and data to help organizations prepare for and respond to humanitarian and climate challenges.
Building something bold?
We’d love to help you shape it.