AKQA vs Method: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Method (3.7/5) edges ahead of AKQA (3.6/5) overall. Method is the better choice for enterprises wanting design-thinking backed by GlobalLogic scale. AKQA is the stronger option for fortune 500 enterprises, design within a global agency network. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
AKQA vs Method: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | AKQA | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 | 1999 |
| HQ | London, UK | San Francisco, CA, USA (also London and New York) |
| Team size | ~6,000 | Not published (operates within GlobalLogic's global workforce) |
| Rating | 3.6 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A 6,000-person, 50-country agency network with more than half the Fortune 500's top 20 as clients, now part of WPP's AKQA Group | A quarter-century of design-thinking work for Google, Comcast, Samsung, and the BBC, now backed by GlobalLogic's engineering scale |
| Pricing model | Enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) | Enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, React | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Design systems/Storybook |
| Industries served | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Financial services / fintech | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment |
AKQA vs Method: overview
AKQA
Ajaz Ahmed launched AKQA in London in 1994 at 21, before finishing university, betting early on the commercial web. The firm stayed independent until WPP acquired it in 2012, and in 2020 WPP merged it with Grey Group to form AKQA Group — the agency now runs roughly 6,000 people across 50 countries. More than half of the Fortune 500's top 20 companies have been clients, and AKQA has broadened well past its web-agency roots into product and spatial design and, more recently, AI-driven experience work.
Method
Five founders — Kevin Farnham, David Lipkin, Patrick Newbery, Mike Abbink, and Meng Mantasoot — started Method in 1999, building a design and innovation consultancy out of San Francisco with offices in London and New York. GlobalLogic acquired Method in 2011, and in 2021 the firm merged with sister company Skookum, adding offices in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Denver. Method's client list — Google, Comcast, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, the BBC, Nissan, Nordstrom — reflects a quarter-century of user-centered design thinking work for large brands.
Services and capabilities: AKQA vs Method
| Capability | AKQA | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: AKQA vs Method
| Framework / platform | AKQA | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| Framer | N/A | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | ✓ |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | ✓ |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: AKQA vs Method
| Criterion | AKQA | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Retainer, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: AKQA vs Method
| Dimension | AKQA | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Financial services / fintech | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment |
| Best use cases | Fortune 500 digital product design bundled with brand and marketing work, Enterprise experience design backed by a large global network | Enterprise product design backed by a larger engineering organization, Media or telecom digital product redesign for a large brand |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
AKQA vs Method: pros and cons
| AKQA | |
|---|---|
| + | 6,000 people across 50 countries make it one of the largest networks in this pool |
| + | More than half of the Fortune 500's top 20 companies have been clients |
| + | Three decades of history, from an independent 1994 startup through its current WPP-backed scale |
| + | Broadened beyond web design into product, spatial, and AI-driven experience work |
| - | Fully absorbed into WPP's AKQA Group since 2020, so clients are hiring a large network agency, not an independent studio |
| - | Enterprise scale and pricing are less accessible to startups or small product teams |
| - | Broad, agency-network positioning means less concentrated product-design specialization than boutique studios |
| Method | |
|---|---|
| + | Quarter-century client history including Google, Comcast, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, and the BBC |
| + | GlobalLogic ownership since 2011 provides access to a much larger engineering organization |
| + | 2021 merger with Skookum added US office presence in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Denver |
| + | Design-thinking-led methodology with a long, publicly documented case-study history |
| - | Acquired by GlobalLogic in 2011 — no longer an independently owned design consultancy |
| - | Team size isn't published separately from GlobalLogic's much larger combined workforce |
| - | Enterprise consulting scale and pricing are less accessible to startups than boutique studios |
Who should choose AKQA?
A typical fit: fortune 500 digital product design bundled with brand and marketing work.
A 6,000-person, 50-country agency network with more than half the Fortune 500's top 20 as clients, now part of WPP's AKQA Group. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Financial services / fintech.
Who should choose Method?
A typical fit: enterprise product design backed by a larger engineering organization.
A quarter-century of design-thinking work for Google, Comcast, Samsung, and the BBC, now backed by GlobalLogic's engineering scale. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment.
Decision matrix: AKQA vs Method
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | AKQA |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | AKQA |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: AKQA (Not published) vs Method (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | AKQA |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: AKQA vs Method
| Use case | AKQA fit | Method fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortune 500 digital product design bundled with brand and marketing work | Strong | Limited | AKQA |
| Enterprise experience design backed by a large global network | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Enterprise product design backed by a larger engineering organization | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Media or telecom digital product redesign for a large brand | Limited | Strong | Method |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: AKQA vs Method
Method (3.7/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A quarter-century of design-thinking work for Google, Comcast, Samsung, and the BBC, now backed by GlobalLogic's engineering scale.
AKQA (3.6/5) is worth a look if you need enterprise experience design backed by a large global network. If your situation matches that, AKQA is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
AKQA vs Method FAQ
Is AKQA better than Method?
Method (3.7/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. AKQA's strongest advantage: 6,000 people across 50 countries make it one of the largest networks in this pool. Method's strongest advantage: quarter-century client history including Google, Comcast, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, and the BBC.
How do AKQA and Method differ in pricing?
AKQA uses enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Method uses enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: AKQA or Method?
AKQA is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between AKQA and Method?
AKQA's primary differentiator is: a 6,000-person, 50-country agency network with more than half the Fortune 500's top 20 as clients, now part of WPP's AKQA Group. Method's primary differentiator is: a quarter-century of design-thinking work for Google, Comcast, Samsung, and the BBC, now backed by GlobalLogic's engineering scale. They also differ in team size (~6,000 vs Not published (operates within GlobalLogic's global workforce)), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Enterprise transformation, Consumer products vs Enterprise transformation, Consumer products).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.