A design-driven studio focused on clarity, usability, and strong brands.

Based Studios combines strong design, thoughtful strategy, and clean execution to help brands grow online. We create digital experiences that communicate clearly and feel visually timeless. No noise - just work that makes sense.

Learn about BASED

BASED Studios is a design-led network founded and owned by Shelly. The studio is run as a focused one-woman business, working closely with a trusted group of developers and creative partners on a project basis. This setup allows us to stay lean, flexible, and highly involved in every project while bringing in additional expertise only when it adds real value.

We design and build websites, logos, and complete brand identities, covering everything a business needs to present itself professionally and consistently - from digital presence to print assets like business cards, flyers and brand materials. We work with startups, growing companies, and SaaS teams that want clarity, structure, and design that actually supports their business.

Our role is to turn ideas into cohesive systems, help brands show up with confidence, and create digital foundations that scale.

10+

Years of Experience

200+

Completed Projects

84

Happy Clients

0

Crap 😌

Meet the team

Founder @ BASED STUDIOS

Shelly

CEO & Digital Designer
based-studios.com
Partner

Trang

Branding Designer
tra-ng.de
Partner

Paul

Full Stack Developer
paulpopus.dev
Partner

Chris

Graphic Designer
Partner

Per

Web Developer
perstarke-webdev.de
Partner

Christoph

Web Developer
digitalewege.de

Words from the founder

Hi, it’s Shelly! I’m a creative digital product designer and the founder of BASED Studios. My focus has always been clarity, clean execution, and straightforward communication - both in my design work and in the way I partner with clients and collaborators. After more than a decade in UX/UI and web design, I built BASED not just as a studio, but as a network of talented freelancers I collaborate with on larger, multi-disciplinary projects. Today, I work closely with a trusted circle of designers, developers, strategists, and content creators. This allows me to scale when needed, bring in the right expertise, and deliver high-quality work without the overhead or chaos of a traditional agency.
Shelly
Digital Designer & Founder @ BASED STUDIOS

Everything we create has a purpose: to clarify your message, strengthen your brand, and give your business the digital presence it deserves.

What our Clients say

"We’ve been working with Shelly for several years now - and honestly, we’re blown away every single time. She consistently hits the mark with her designs, working in a modern, structured, and highly creative way. Collaborating with her doesn’t just lead to outstanding results, it’s genuinely a pleasure. What really sets Shelly apart, though, is who she is as a person: incredibly kind, empathetic, attentive, honest, and reliable. This kind of collaboration is sadly far too rare these days."
Andreas Lehnert
CEO @UnitedCreation
"As a development studio, we regularly need strong design expertise for creating wireframes all the way to high-fidelity prototypes for web projects. For multiple client projects as well as for our own website, we’ve relied on Shelly’s support - and every single time she impressed us with outstanding quality and a unique approach tailored to each project. We’re excited for all upcoming projects with Shelly and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for something truly special."
Christoph Geier
CEO @ digitalewege GmbH
"Working with Shelly was a fantastic experience from start to finish. As an architectural artist, it’s important to me that my digital presence reflects the same level of thought and detail that goes into my work. Shelly immediately understood that and translated it into a website that feels both modern and personal."
Florian Schluifer
Artist @ FS Studio
"We’ve been working together for over five years now — and that kind of consistency only exists when both the collaboration and the results are genuinely great. Shelly always delivers above expectations. I’d recommend absolutely recommend her and her partners to anyone!"
Frank Müller
CEO @ Hamburg Digital
"I’ve been working with Shelly for two years now, and she’s been nothing short of exceptional. She’s highly professional, brings a ton of energy to every project, and consistently delivers outstanding results. She always takes the time to understand what I want and turns those ideas into something even better. I can recommend her without hesitation."
Liyana Benedict
Founder @ Beauty Studio by Liyana

Frequently Asked Questions

We know you’ve got questions. So here are a few answers that actually matter to you.

Who is "We"?

“Based” is led by me, Shelly - a UX/UI designer and creative director with over a decade of experience working with brands, startups, and SaaS products across Europe. When I say we, I’m not talking about a faceless agency or a room full of juniors. I work with a curated network of trusted partners: developers, strategists, and specialists I’ve collaborated with for years.

That means:
You get one main point of contact (me).Your project stays focused, personal, and hands-on. And only when extra expertise is needed, the right people join - not whoever happens to be available.

Think studio mindset, not agency bloat. Small by design, flexible by default, and scaled only when your project actually needs it.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Cyprus and work with clients and partners across Europe and internationally. Time zones haven’t been an issue so far - good structure beats geography every time.

How much does a project cost?

Every project is priced individually based on scope, complexity, and goals. Template-based work can be done for €1.000. Individually created web projects usually start around €5,000 and can go up to €30,000+ for larger or more complex builds. After a short call, you’ll get a clear, fixed quote - no surprises, no mystery math.

How long does a project take?

Most projects take 6–12 weeks from kickoff to launch.Bigger platforms, SaaS products, or branding-heavy projects can take longer. Timelines are always defined upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

Longterm collaborations over years are also possible and very common!

What kind of clients do you work with?

Primarily B2B clients: startups, scale-ups, SaaS companies, and established brands.That said, if you’re a private client with a strong vision and a serious project, we’re open to that too.

Do you offer fixed prices or hourly rates?

Mostly fixed project prices - we believe in clarity on both sides. For ongoing work, we also offer monthly retainers or day rates, depending on what makes most sense for the collaboration.

Do you only do design, or also development?

Both.
I handle UX/UI design, branding, and Webflow development in-house. For more complex setups, I collaborate with trusted developers while staying responsible for the overall experience and quality.

Can I update my website myself after launch?

Yes. Your site is built so you can update content easily without breaking anything. If you want, we’ll also walk you through it or provide ongoing support.