Freelance UX Designer Contract Template (UK 2025)
Last updated: February 2025
When You Need This Contract
UX design contracts must address the full spectrum of UX deliverables from user research and personas through wireframes and prototypes to design systems and component libraries. The contract must specify which UX design tools will be used, who owns the research data and user insights gathered, deliverable formats and handover procedures for development, and whether the designer is contributing to an existing design system or creating a new one.
Key Clauses
- IP assignment for all UX deliverables including research, wireframes, and prototypes
- Design tool specifications and file handover procedures
- User research data ownership and participant consent management
- Design system contributions and component library ownership
- Developer handover documentation and specifications
What to Watch Out For
- Not specifying design tool compatibility with the client's existing workflow
- Failing to address user research participant consent and data handling obligations
Sample Clauses
- Sample deliverable clause: 'The Designer shall deliver: user research report with findings and recommendations, user personas and journey maps, wireframes for all key user flows, interactive prototype in [Figma/tool], and developer handover documentation including specifications, assets, and interaction notes.'
- Sample research clause: 'The Designer is responsible for obtaining informed consent from all user research participants. Consent forms shall comply with GDPR requirements and shall be provided to the Client. Research data shall be anonymised in all deliverables unless participants have consented to identifiable use.'
FAQ
Who owns user research data gathered by a freelance UX designer?
The contract should assign ownership of all research data, findings, and insights to the client. However, the designer must ensure participant consent covers the client's use of the data. The designer should not retain copies of research data containing personal information after the engagement ends. Anonymised methodology learnings can be retained by the designer for professional development.
What UX deliverable formats should the contract specify?
Specify the tools and formats for each deliverable type: wireframes and prototypes in Figma or similar with edit access transferred, research reports as editable documents, design systems as structured component libraries, and developer specifications in an agreed format. Include the requirement for design tokens, style guides, and all source assets to be transferred in their native editable format.
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Get Started FreeThis is guidance for UK businesses, not legal advice. Templates are illustrative. Consult a solicitor for complex matters.
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