It’s official: We’re saying “Goodbye” to The Geekettez and “Hello” to BIRD UX! After nearly 15 years filled with exciting projects, amazing people, lots of fun, and ups and downs, we’ve decided it’s time for a change. And no, this decision has nothing to do with a sudden dislike for cats, although our original name was inspired by LOLcats, lolspeak, or kitty pidgin with its iconic Z-endings. But let’s start from the beginning.
How It All Began: The Origins of The Geekettez
The year was 2011. Picture a sunset in Austin, Texas, during SXSW, on a dusty food truck parking lot—it sounds like the opening scene of a road movie, doesn’t it? This is where the idea for our collaboration was born. As two UX enthusiasts—Jennifer Moss and Stefanie Kegel—we dreamed of creating a studio that was rare in Germany at the time: one that could deliver real value through user-centred design. A friend listened to us, grinned, and said, “You’re true Geekettez!” We exchanged glances, and just like that, “The Geekettez” was born. The name stuck and became a symbol of our creative journey.
Why Change the Name Now?
We love The Geekettez—no doubt about it. But after 15 years, we had to admit that not everyone understands the name (let alone can pronounce it). And while we’re confident that LOLcats will have their retro revival someday, we wanted a name that better reflects who we are, our values, and our focus. Just as technology and our field have evolved over time, so has our studio.
From (LOL)Cats to Birds: Welcome to BIRD UX
BIRD is an acronym that embodies the values we stand for in our design approach:
Better Insight, Real Design
BIRD UX emphasises rigorous user research (Better Insights) and a deep understanding of users’ needs and behaviours while focusing on actionable and user-centred design solutions (Real Design).).
Beyond Interfaces, Real Delight
We prioritise the entire user experience—the customer journey rather than just individual products (Beyond Interfaces)—and create design solutions that leave lasting positive impressions (Real Delight).
Better Inclusion, Refined Design
BIRD UX underlines our commitment to accessible and inclusive design solutions (Better Inclusion), which are well thought out and precisely designed (Refined Design) to fulfil the needs of all users.
Building Impact, Responsible Design
BIRD UX stands for creating positive change through responsible and sustainable design (Building Impact). We recognise the responsibility of design with a view to the future and its impact on society and the environment (Responsible Design).
Better Interfaces, Remarkable Design
We craft interfaces that are not only functional but also delightful, elevating the user experience to new levels.
Our Mission Remains The Same Has Grown
At BIRD UX, we remain focused on user research and sustainable design solutions. We believe in deeply understanding users’ needs and creating designs that don’t just work but inspire. Our goal remains unchanged: crafting experiences that leave lasting impressions.
Over time, both we and the global design community have broadened our understanding of user-centred design to include new dimensions. Today, we aim for what is sometimes called Humanity-Centred Design—a respectful, ethical, inclusive approach that conserves resources while addressing societal and ecological challenges with ethical responsibility.
What Else Is Changing?
Aside from our URL and email addresses, we’ve completely revamped our branding over the past few months. We’ll share more details about this transformation on our studio blog in the coming weeks.
Additionally, after deleting our Facebook and Twitter accounts, we have now also deleted our Instagram account—Meta no longer aligns with our mission. You can now find us in the Fediverse or on Bluesky under @birdUX..
Otherwise, we’re still the same creative minds with the same passion for exceptional experience design, just under a new name that better captures our journey and values.
