Studio MAWA

Studio MAWA was founded in 2018 as a UX/UI design studio in Istanbul. In 2021, co-founders Bige Ergez and Hande Turkmen expanded to Berlin, establishing Studio MAWA GmbH. Bige brings 16 years of experience in content strategy and digitalization; Hande has 12 years in UX/UI and communication design. The studio operates across Istanbul and Berlin, serving clients across Europe, the USA, and beyond. They've worked with over 30 brands and completed projects for UNHCR, PeP Digital Banking, Nikon SLM Solutions, M.A.R.S. Technology, and others. The team integrates UX/UI designers, researchers, branding experts, and developers.

Services and capabilities

Studio MAWA offers MVP creation, UX/UI design, front-end development, back-end development, e-commerce solutions, and brand identity design. On the e-commerce side, they work with Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, handling website design, payment gateway integration, inventory management, shipping, logistics, and SEO. They are a Stripe Technology Partner, which gives them access to Stripe's latest payment processing tools. For front-end work, they build responsive, user-friendly interfaces across devices. Back-end services cover user authentication, database management, and scalable infrastructure. MVP development includes business validation and investor-ready positioning during early development cycles.

The studio takes a holistic approach to digital transformation, integrating AI and automation into their processes. On the design side, they emphasize crafting digital experiences through what they call a "unique and modular blend of innovative technologies, captivating storytelling, and exquisite design."

Notable work

Studio MAWA's portfolio includes platform work for Nikon SLM Solutions (UX/UI and web/mobile development for a corporate web platform), content strategy and platform design for Karaca Focus, and a web and mobile platform for PeP Digital Banking that improved navigation across multiple products. They created a custom software tool for UNHCR that "increased user engagement, service accessibility, response times, and resource allocation," according to Levent Eksi, Associate IM Officer at UNHCR. Other clients include Cinema8 (UX/UI and web development), Seesaw, Solus International, and Cooklife (WooCommerce development). M.A.R.S. Technology has maintained a long-term partnership with MAWA for UX/UI design across multiple products.

The studio reports 3 million monthly users engaged on platforms they've created, with an average session duration of 8 minutes. They've built 27 web and mobile apps, completed 12 e-commerce shops, and empowered 8 startups. Client satisfaction stands at 99%.

How they work

Studio MAWA emphasizes clear communication, timely updates, and on-time, on-budget delivery. They work closely with clients to determine which platform or approach best fits business needs—whether that's Shopify for quick launches or custom bespoke solutions for unique requirements. They offer training and support alongside implementations. Budget ranges are flexible, from under €10,000 to €500,000+, and they accept project briefs via their quote form.

Team and credentials

Co-founders Bige Ergez and Hande Turkmen lead the studio. Bige's healthcare startup CoreSleep was accelerated in the Hardtech Innovation Program at MotionLab Berlin. The team operates from two offices: Istanbul (Silahsör Caddesi, Birahane Sk. No:1) and Berlin (c/o MotionLab ML, Bouchestr. 12 Halle 20). Studio MAWA is a Stripe Technology Partner and works with sound branding and motion graphics partners to expand capabilities. The source does not specify overall team size, certifications (ISO, SOC 2, etc.), or G2/Clutch ratings.