Freelance UI/UX Designer & Product Design Lead in Dubai
I’m Karim Muhtar, a freelance UI/UX designer and product design lead working with companies in Dubai and across the UAE. I’ve lived and worked in Dubai, and for 16+ years I’ve designed and led the design of web platforms and mobile apps that people find easy to use.
Today I work with UAE teams from Beirut, just one to two hours behind Dubai time, and join on-site when a project needs it. I work in English and Arabic.
UI/UX and product design services for UAE companies
- UX design: user research, user flows, information architecture, wireframes and interactive prototypes
- UI design: polished, modern interfaces for iOS, Android and the web, built to the quality UAE users expect
- Bilingual Arabic and English products: right-to-left layouts designed properly from the start, which most UAE products need
- Product design leadership: I can lead your design team or act as your product design lead, from discovery to developer handoff
- Design systems: reusable Figma component libraries that keep large products and multiple teams consistent
- UX audits and redesigns: I review your existing app or platform, find what frustrates users and fix it
Why Dubai companies hire a senior freelance UX designer
- Senior-level without a senior salary. 16+ years in design and 20+ years across design, business and startups, available hourly, weekly, on a monthly retainer or per project instead of as a full-time hire.
- I know the UAE market. Having lived and worked in Dubai, I understand how the region’s users, businesses and bilingual products work.
- Built for fast-moving teams. As a co-founder of 6+ startups, I’m used to tight timelines and designing with business goals in mind, not only screens.
- Easy to work with across borders. Beirut is only one to two hours behind Dubai, so we share almost the whole working day. I work remotely and can join on-site for workshops and kickoffs.
Industries I’ve designed for
Fintech, banking and mobile payments, proptech, telco, entertainment, e-sports, games, events and ticketing, social media and messaging apps, e-commerce and grocery delivery, logistics and courier services, travel and hospitality, mobility and parking, restaurants, Web3 and investment platforms, media, AI-powered apps, and more.
How I work
I combine the Double Diamond with design thinking, adapted to your team’s pace:
- Discover: empathize with your users and study your business, competitors and the UAE market
- Define: pin down the real problem, personas and user journeys
- Develop: ideate and prototype solutions, from wireframes to high-fidelity UI in English and Arabic
- Deliver: test with real users, refine, and hand off a developer-ready design
Flexible ways to hire me
Hourly, weekly, on a monthly retainer (full-time or part-time, as an ongoing design lead for your team) or per project. Tell me what you need and I’ll suggest the setup that fits your budget and timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Are you based in Dubai?
I lived and worked in Dubai, and I’m now based in Beirut, one to two hours behind UAE time. I work with Dubai companies remotely every day and can join on-site when a project needs it.
How much does a freelance UI/UX designer in Dubai cost?
It depends on scope: a UX audit differs from designing a full app. I work hourly, weekly, on a monthly retainer or per project. Send me a short brief and I’ll reply with a clear quote.
Can you join our team as a freelance UX/UI design lead?
Yes. I regularly join companies as a freelance UI/UX design lead or product design lead, guiding in-house designers and working with developers and product managers.
Do you design bilingual Arabic and English apps?
Yes. I design Arabic and English interfaces for web and mobile, with right-to-left layouts planned from the start, not mirrored at the end.
Are you a UX designer or a product designer?
Both. UX design, UI design and product design overlap heavily. I cover the full range, from research and strategy to final visuals.
What do you need to get started?
A short description of your product, your goals and your timeline. A 20-minute call is usually enough to define the next steps.
Let’s talk about your project
Looking for a UI/UX designer or product design lead in Dubai? Message me on WhatsApp, email me or call.
Phone: