LAYERS
UK-based digital product design and development agency (Gateshead) operating a Discovery-Design-Development methodology for enterprise, mid-market, and startup clients, with a growing Health Tech vertical and two self-serve WordPress plugins.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNewcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What LAYERS does
Layers Studio Limited is a UK-based digital product design and development agency headquartered in Gateshead (Newcastle upon Tyne), founded in 2016 and operating as part of the Unusual Group. The firm delivers a three-phase Discovery-Design-Development methodology that integrates strategists, designers, and developers from project inception, covering brand identity, UX/UI design, motion graphics, and full-stack engineering using React, PHP, HTML/CSS, Node.js, TypeScript, and design tools including Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud. It also offers two self-serve WordPress plugins, GravityGrid and ContactGrid, which integrate Gravity Forms and Contact Form 7 submissions respectively with SendGrid as a CRM layer, distributed through a dedicated plugins subdomain.
The agency serves enterprise and mid-market clients across financial services, insurance, automotive, and technology (logos include Allianz, Nissan, Barclays Eagle Labs, LV, OUB, Safepoint, ROAR, Netkno), alongside a long tail of startups (OneXP, DoDays, Gavurin). GTM is primarily sales-led via direct website contact and consultations, supplemented by organic social presence on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Behance, and third-party validation through DesignRush Verified status and 5-star Google Reviews. The firm is actively expanding into Health Tech, citing demand for patient- and clinician-facing digital products with improved usability, and is pursuing that vertical alongside its broader digital product portfolio. Operations remain small (1–10 employees) with founder James Hanson and director Paula Harrison leading the business.
LAYERS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LAYERS
- Legal name
- Layers Studio Limited
- Website
- https://layers.studio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- UK-based digital product design and development agency (Gateshead) operating a Discovery-Design-Development methodology for enterprise, mid-market, and startup clients, with a growing Health Tech vertical and two self-serve WordPress plugins.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LAYERS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Product Design Services
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ)
Keywords
Where LAYERS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newcastle Upon Tyne
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
LAYERS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Digital Product Design & Development Services: Custom digital product design and development services delivered via project-based Order Forms. The agency performs creative, strategic, design, and digital services including brand assets, website design and development, and related deliverables. Services are scoped through Order Forms specifying project phases, deliverables, timelines, and fees.
- WordPress Plugin Products: WordPress plugins (GravityGrid and ContactGrid) that integrate Gravity Forms and Contact Form 7 with SendGrid CRM. These are standalone products available through the plugins subdomain.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based professional services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
LAYERS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Layers Studio is a UK-based digital product design and development agency that helps clients design and develop brands and digital products through a Discovery-Design-Development methodology, integrating strategists, designers, and developers from project inception. The agency also sells two WordPress plugins (GravityGrid and ContactGrid) that integrate Gravity Forms and Contact Form 7 submissions with SendGrid CRM. Services include brand identity, UX/UI design, motion graphics, and full-stack web development using React, PHP, Node.js, and TypeScript.
Product overview
Layers Studio is a UK-based digital product design and development agency offering three core service phases: Discovery (strategic ideation and workshops), Design (brand, UX/UI, motion graphics), and Development (digital product engineering). The agency has expanded into the Health Tech sector, securing new projects focused on user-centred digital products. The company also offers two WordPress plugins—GravityGrid and ContactGrid—which integrate form submissions (from Gravity Forms and Contact Form 7 respectively) with SendGrid CRM.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GravityGrid: WordPress plugin designed to simplify the connection between Gravity Form submissions and SendGrid as a CRM system, providing seamless integration.
- ContactGrid
Products and services
- Discovery Services Strategic discovery and ideation services combining cross-disciplinary teams of designers, developers, and strategists with client industry insight to explore innovation through workshops and discovery processes. For clients seeking early-stage strategic guidance and project ideation.
- Design Services Comprehensive design services covering brand design, UX design, UI design, and motion graphics to create unique digital experiences aligned with brand values. For clients needing purpose-driven design decisions from brand identity to user experience.
- Development Services Full-stack digital product development services using React, PHP, HTML, CSS, Node.js, and TypeScript, with planning from early stages to support both rapid iteration and long-term scale builds. For clients needing complete digital product engineering.
- GravityGrid WordPress plugin that integrates Gravity Forms submissions with SendGrid as a CRM system, enabling seamless synchronization of form data into SendGrid contacts. For WordPress website owners needing form-to-CRM integration.
- ContactGrid WordPress plugin that integrates Contact Form 7 submissions with SendGrid as a CRM system, enabling seamless synchronization of form data into SendGrid contacts. For WordPress website owners using Contact Form 7 who need CRM integration.
Quantifiable outcome
- Growing demand from Health Tech clients seeking improved usability and streamlined digital systems
Companies that use LAYERS
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LAYERS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature2 records
LAYERS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Unusual GroupcoreLayers Studio is part of the Unusual Group, as indicated by the 'Part of Unusual' logo displayed in the website footer. This indicates Layers Studio operates as a subsidiary or brand under the Unusual Group parent organization, providing strategic alignment and shared resources within the group structure.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
LAYERS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Great State: Great State is a UK digital agency focused on strategy, design, and development of digital products and platforms. Its service mix, mid-market/enterprise client focus, and UK base make it a closely comparable boutique peer to Layers.
- ustwo: ustwo is a London-headquartered digital product studio offering end-to-end design, engineering, and innovation services. It is directly comparable to Layers in the integrated design-and-development studio model and shared UK enterprise and consumer client base.
- Beyond: Beyond is a London-based digital product studio covering strategy, design, and engineering for major brands. Its scope, client mix, and integrated product delivery model position it as a direct boutique competitor to Layers in the UK.
- Code Computerlove: Code is a UK-based digital product studio specializing in design and development of digital products and services. It mirrors Layers' full-stack product design + engineering positioning and competes for similar enterprise and consumer clients in the UK.
- Work & Co: Work & Co is a global digital product studio delivering strategy, design, and engineering for brands. It overlaps with Layers on the integrated studio model and enterprise client engagement style, particularly in product design and UX-led digital builds.
Broad incumbents
- IDEO: IDEO is a global design and innovation firm known for human-centered design and product strategy. While significantly larger and broader, IDEO competes with Layers on enterprise product design engagements requiring integrated strategy, design, and prototyping.
- frog: frog is a global design and innovation consultancy working across product, brand, and experience design. It overlaps with Layers on design-led product work for enterprise clients but serves a broader portfolio and larger scale.
- R/GA: R/GA is a global digital agency offering strategy, design, and technology services across brand, product, and marketing. It operates at a larger scale than Layers but competes for many of the same enterprise digital product briefs.
- Dept Agency: Dept is a global digital agency offering end-to-end services across creativity, technology, and media. It intersects with Layers on enterprise digital product design and development but at much greater scale and broader service breadth.
Regional players
- Hedgehog Lab: Hedgehog Lab is a Newcastle-headquartered digital product studio offering strategy, design, and development services. It is a regional peer operating out of the same North East UK hub as Layers and competes for similar clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LAYERS social profiles
Digital presenceLAYERS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LAYERS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
LAYERS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LAYERS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LAYERS
What does LAYERS do?
Layers Studio is a UK-based digital product design and development agency that helps clients design and develop brands and digital products through a Discovery-Design-Development methodology, integrating strategists, designers, and developers from project inception. The agency also sells two WordPress plugins (GravityGrid and ContactGrid) that integrate Gravity Forms and Contact Form 7 submissions with SendGrid CRM. Services include brand identity, UX/UI design, motion graphics, and full-stack web development using React, PHP, Node.js, and TypeScript.
Is LAYERS a public or private company?
LAYERS is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was LAYERS founded?
LAYERS was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LAYERS based?
LAYERS is headquartered in Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does LAYERS make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Digital Product Design & Development Services are the primary driver. The others are wordPress Plugin Products.
Who are LAYERS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Great State, ustwo, Beyond, Code Computerlove and Work & Co. Broad incumbents are IDEO, frog, R/GA and Dept Agency. Hedgehog Lab is listed as a regional player.
Does LAYERS have an API?
No public API is recorded for LAYERS.
What industry is LAYERS in?
LAYERS's product category is Digital Product Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAIAJ, Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams). Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7371.