ZTABS designs digital products for Riyadh companies. Arabic-first interface design with RTL layout. Islamic banking and finance UX with Shariah-compliant product flows. Vision 2030 digital transformation programmes. Government digital services aligned with DGA standards. Enterprise applications for Saudi organisations. PDPL privacy-aware design. Planning benchmarks from 2 weeks to 8 months by project scope.
In short: ZTABS designs UX and UI for Riyadh companies. Arabic-first digital products. Islamic banking and finance UX. Vision 2030 digital transformation. Government digital services. Enterprise applications. PDPL privacy awareness. RTL design. Planning benchmarks from 2 weeks to 8 months. Remote-first by design from our Houston, Texas office.
ZTABS designs digital products for Riyadh companies. We are remote-first by design, with an office in Houston, Texas.
Riyadh is the centre of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation. Vision 2030 is driving billions of riyals of investment in digital services across government, financial services, healthcare, entertainment and tourism. Saudi users interact with products from stc (the telecommunications and digital payments giant), Al Rajhi Bank (the world's largest Islamic bank by market capitalisation, setting the standard for Islamic banking UX), Absher (the government services super-app used by most Saudi residents), Tamara (buy-now-pay-later fintech) and Jahez (food delivery). These products demonstrate that Arabic-first digital products can be sophisticated, beautiful and functional. Our broader UI/UX design capabilities are on the UI/UX design services page, and planning benchmarks are in the UI/UX design cost guide.
Riyadh design is often Arabic-first. Saudi Arabia's population is predominantly Arabic-speaking, and for products whose primary audience is Arabic-speaking Saudi consumers, Arabic-first design with RTL layout is a common and effective approach. The language order (Arabic-first, English-first, or parallel) depends on the product's target audience, use context and applicable obligations. This differs from Dubai, where English is often the primary language for products targeting the international population. PDPL (Personal Data Protection Law) establishes data protection requirements with multiple lawful processing bases. SAMA (the Saudi Central Bank, renamed from Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority in 2020) regulates financial institutions. DGA (Digital Government Authority) sets standards for government digital services. The specific obligations under each framework depend on the entity, its licence and its activities.
| Industry | Design focus | What we design |
|---|---|---|
| Islamic banking | Murabaha, Mudaraba, Ijara, Takaful | Shariah-compliant financial interfaces with product clarity |
| Government | Vision 2030, DGA standards | Citizen services, employee platforms, digital transformation |
| Healthcare | National Health Information Center | Patient portals, clinician tools, health information |
| Entertainment | Tourism, hospitality, events | NEOM, Red Sea, Diriyah Gate and Saudi tourism UX |
| Enterprise | Large Saudi organisations, family offices | B2B platforms, ERP interfaces, internal tools |
Arabic-first design methodology, where the product's audience warrants it, means Arabic is the primary design language. The interface is designed in Arabic RTL first, then adapted for English LTR. This produces a different result from English-first design with translation: Arabic reading patterns are respected, Arabic typography is primary (not constrained by Latin-optimised layouts), RTL layout is the default (not a mirror of LTR), and cultural conventions for Saudi users are embedded in the core design. Whether Arabic-first, English-first with professional translation, or parallel design is appropriate depends on the product's audience, content requirements and agreed scope. Font selection prioritises Arabic readability with Latin as secondary; test actual Arabic strings at target sizes rather than assuming a fixed enlargement percentage. Professional Arabic linguistic review is separately scoped as part of the engagement.
Islamic banking UX presents unique challenges. Murabaha (cost-plus financing) requires the user to understand the purchase and resale structure. Mudaraba (profit-sharing) requires clear profit distribution visualisation. Ijara (leasing) has different payment and ownership flows. Takaful (Islamic insurance) involves surplus distribution concepts absent from conventional insurance. Users must trust the product's Shariah compliance, understand the economic structure and complete transactions confidently. SAMA (Saudi Central Bank) requirements apply to Saudi-licensed financial institutions; the Insurance Authority (established November 2023) now regulates insurance activities. The specific requirements depend on the entity's licence, category and activities.
Government digital services design for Riyadh addresses Vision 2030 digital transformation programmes, DGA digital service standards (specific requirements depend on the government entity), citizen service portals (building on the Absher and Tawakkalna precedent of comprehensive digital government), employee productivity platforms and smart city interfaces. Arabic is the primary language for government services targeting Saudi citizens and residents.
Healthcare UX for Riyadh addresses the National Health Information Center standards, hospital information systems, patient portals with Arabic-first design, telemedicine platforms and clinical decision support. Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector is investing in digital transformation as part of Vision 2030's quality of life programme. The specific health data requirements depend on the healthcare entity's classification and the applicable NHIC standards.
Share your product concept, Arabic-first requirements and target users. We will reply with a design approach, methodology and applicable cost range.
Our design methodology for Riyadh projects combines Arabic-first design, Islamic finance understanding and Saudi cultural sensitivity.
Discovery (2 to 3 weeks, illustrative) involves user research with Saudi and expatriate participants, cultural context analysis (Saudi social norms, business practices and digital behaviour), competitive analysis against regional leaders (Al Rajhi, stc, Absher), and regulatory requirements mapping (SAMA, PDPL, DGA as applicable). Research is conducted in participants' preferred language.
Design and prototyping (4 to 8 weeks, illustrative) produces Arabic-first design systems: component library in Figma with RTL as the primary direction and LTR as the secondary variant, Arabic typography system optimised for Saudi audiences, design tokens supporting both directions, responsive behaviour, and accessibility specifications. Interactive Figma prototypes in Arabic for primary stakeholder review and English for secondary review.
Our usual stack: Next.js and React with i18n and RTL support, Node.js for backend services, Tailwind CSS with RTL utilities, and Storybook for component documentation. Technology choices depend on the client's existing stack.
A SAMA-licensed Islamic bank in Riyadh serving retail and SME customers would approach a mobile banking app redesign as follows. The UX challenges: complex Islamic finance products presented with excessive jargon, Murabaha financing application with a high abandonment rate due to documentation complexity, account dashboard not distinguishing between current account, savings (Mudaraba) and financing (Murabaha) balances clearly, and poor Arabic typography making extended reading difficult. The redesign would include: product education integrated into transaction flows (explaining the Murabaha structure visually at the point of commitment), unified account dashboard with clear product-type distinction using colour coding and iconography, financing application redesigned as a guided multi-step flow with document upload and real-time status, and Arabic-first typography system optimised for mobile reading.
Planning assumptions: Comprehensive Redesign tier ($60K to $100K over 12 to 20 weeks) as a starting planning benchmark. Actual scope depends on the number of banking products, integration complexity with core banking systems and SAMA regulatory requirements for the specific entity. UX testing provides evidence for design decisions; application completion and engagement improvements should be validated through post-implementation measurement.
This is a hypothetical scenario for illustration. Actual scope, timeline and cost depend on your requirements.
These are planning benchmarks from our published UI/UX design cost guide in USD.
| Project scope | Cost range | Timeline | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic UI Design | $5K to $15K | 2 to 4 weeks | Visual design for defined screens, style guide basics |
| Mid-Range UX/UI | $15K to $60K | 4 to 12 weeks | User research, wireframes, visual design, prototyping, testing |
| Comprehensive Redesign | $60K to $100K | 12 to 20 weeks | Full UX audit, research, information architecture, design system, prototyping, testing, handoff |
| Enterprise Design System | $100K to $150K+ | 5 to 8 months | Design system, component library, documentation, governance, multi-product consistency |
These are scope-based benchmarks. Arabic-first design with RTL support adds to design effort for dual-direction design and Arabic content. Saudi Arabia's 0% personal income tax environment affects employment cost calculations but not project pricing benchmarks. See the full cost breakdown.
Tell us about your product, user segments and Islamic finance requirements. We will outline an Arabic-first design approach with RTL methodology.
| Option | Best for | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| ZTABS (remote-first, Houston office) | Arabic-first product design with Islamic banking, government and Vision 2030 awareness | Remote-first by design |
| Dribbble/Upwork freelancer ($40-$90/hr) | Visual polish for defined screens | Ask about Arabic-first RTL design, Islamic finance UX and Saudi regulatory understanding |
| Boutique design agency ($120-$200/hr) | Mid-size projects with research and strategy | Ask about Arabic-first methodology and compare total project cost for equivalent deliverables |
| Top-tier design studio ($250-$500/hr) | Brand transformation and premium product design | Ask about project fit for your scope and compare total cost for equivalent deliverables |
| In-house senior designer ($130K-$180K/yr) | Ongoing design needs with deep product context | Recruitment time and single point of failure |
| Design subscription ($3K-$6K/mo) | Ongoing visual design tasks | Ask about Arabic RTL design, Islamic finance UX and SAMA regulatory experience |
This comparison is for a 25-screen SaaS application with two rounds of user research, design system, clickable Figma prototype and developer handoff. Rates reflect 2026 generic mid-market US/EU benchmarks from our published cost guide.
Arabic-first design systems reverse the typical approach. The primary component library is designed in Arabic RTL. English LTR becomes the adaptation. This produces better Arabic UX because layout decisions, spacing and visual hierarchy are optimised for Arabic reading patterns. The design token system includes: Arabic and Latin type scales (Arabic requires different sizing and line height), directional design tokens (spacing that adapts to text direction), colour tokens (consistent across directions), and elevation tokens. Components are built RTL-first and tested in Arabic before English adaptation.
Islamic calendar integration is important for many Riyadh products. Saudi users frequently reference Hijri dates for religious observances, government deadlines and personal milestones. Date pickers should support both Hijri and Gregorian calendars where the product audience requires it. Financial products may display Hijri calendar dates alongside Gregorian for profit distribution schedules and investment maturity dates. Whether both calendar systems are needed depends on the product's audience and use context.
Mobile design for Saudi Arabia's young, mobile-first population requires: thumb-zone optimisation for RTL (the natural thumb zone on a right-handed phone use is different when the interface reads right-to-left), Arabic keyboard integration testing (the Arabic keyboard layout affects form input speed and common typos), and performance optimisation for mobile networks. Saudi Arabia has high smartphone penetration and 5G coverage, but products must still perform well on varying network conditions across the country.
Saudi entertainment and tourism are creating new design demand. NEOM, Red Sea Global (formerly Red Sea Development Company), Diriyah Gate, Qiddiya and the entertainment sector are generating requirements for tourism platforms, event booking, hospitality experiences and destination marketing. These products serve both Saudi audiences (Arabic-first) and international tourists (English and other languages), requiring sophisticated multi-language design systems.
Saudi Arabia's young population drives expectations for modern digital experiences. This demographic is accustomed to TikTok, Snapchat (Saudi Arabia is one of the largest Snapchat markets globally) and mobile-first interactions. Products for this audience must be visually contemporary, performant on mobile and designed for the patterns this generation expects.
The Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) establishes requirements for personal data processing that affect UX design. PDPL provides multiple lawful bases for processing (Article 6 conditions), not only consent. Where consent-based processing applies: consent collection must clearly specify the purpose and scope of data processing, privacy settings must be accessible and understandable, data subject rights (access, correction, deletion) must be supported through the interface, and cross-border transfer requirements apply where data is processed outside Saudi Arabia. The specific PDPL obligations depend on the organisation, the data type, whether exemptions apply and the implementing regulations issued by SDAIA (Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority). Compliance guidance should come from qualified Saudi counsel.
| Risk | How we address it |
|---|---|
| Arabic-first UX quality | Arabic-first design where audience warrants it; tested with representative users from the target audience |
| Islamic finance product complexity | Product education integrated into transaction flows with visual explanations |
| PDPL data protection requirements | Privacy-aware consent and data handling patterns; PDPL obligations depend on entity and data |
| Vision 2030 programme alignment | Design aligned with DGA standards for the specific entity and programme |
| Young population expectations | Modern visual design optimised for mobile, aligned with Saudi digital behaviour |
After design delivery, the product moves to implementation. Arabic-first design systems include RTL component specifications and Arabic typography guidelines. RTL CSS must be validated during development. For Islamic banking products, Shariah compliance interfaces must be maintained. For government products, DGA standards must be preserved as requirements evolve. Ongoing design maintenance can be scoped as a retainer engagement. Phase plans are illustrative and agreed during scoping.
Share your current interface and we will provide initial observations on Arabic UX, RTL quality and improvement opportunities.
Verified reviews from real client engagements.
My experience is throughout positive. Communication, service, the short response times and the flawless execution of a challenging topic was absolutely great. ZTABS is definitely my first choice again.
Christian Neff
Bank Software Advisory · Bank Software Advisory
Fintech
Fantastic Agency! I couldn't fault them even if I tried. They always go above and beyond to meet your expectations and always produces quality work. Thank you ZTABS.
Stephanie Kal
CEO · Beauty Finder Australia
Marketplace
It has been great working with ZTABS. They bounce off the ideas along the way. Amazing Experience.
Joel Rowe
CEO · Drill Quoter
Marketplace
We don't just contract. We ship and operate our own software. 23 products in production.
Common questions about UI/UX design for Riyadh businesses
Yes. For products whose primary audience is Arabic-speaking, Arabic-first design means the primary design is in Arabic with RTL layout, not English-first with Arabic translation. This is the appropriate approach for Riyadh products where the majority of users are Arabic-speaking Saudis. Arabic-first means the information architecture, reading patterns, navigation and interaction flows are designed for Arabic users. English becomes the secondary version. Font selection and sizing are validated through testing actual Arabic strings at target sizes. Whether Arabic-first or English-first is appropriate depends on the product's target audience and use context. Bilingual quality depends on professional Arabic UX writing.
ZTABS designs user interfaces and experiences for Houston enterprises and startups. Energy sector SCADA and HMI design following ISA-101 principles. Healthcare UX for TMC-area clinical workflows. Port and logistics dashboard design. Enterprise software for oil and gas, petrochemical and maritime industries. Planning benchmarks from 2 weeks to 8 months by project scope.
UI/UX Design in New York, NYZTABS designs user interfaces and experiences for New York enterprises and startups. Fintech UX with SEC and FINRA compliance awareness. Enterprise SaaS design systems. Healthcare UX with HIPAA awareness. Media and publishing platforms. ADA and WCAG 2.1 AA as accessibility targets. Planning benchmarks from 2 weeks to 8 months by project scope.
UI/UX Design in Los Angeles, CAZTABS designs user interfaces and experiences for Los Angeles enterprises and startups. Streaming and media content discovery. Mobility and multimodal transportation UX. Fintech trust design. Wellness and lifestyle product interfaces. CCPA and CPRA privacy-aware design. Multilingual design for LA's diverse population. Planning benchmarks from 2 weeks to 8 months by project scope.
Web Development in Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaZTABS delivers web development for Riyadh enterprises: government e-service portals with Nafath single sign-on, Arabic-first RTL web platforms for Saudi consumers, and enterprise web applications integrating ZATCA e-invoicing, Absher verification and the Saudi payment ecosystem.
Web Design in Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaZTABS designs websites for Riyadh organisations. Vision 2030 entities and giga-projects requiring world-class digital presence, government platforms aligned with DGA standards, financial services firms navigating Saudi regulatory requirements, and corporate entities establishing or expanding in the Kingdom. Arabic-first RTL design, PDPL privacy compliance and mobile-first architecture. Remote-first by design from our Houston, Texas office.
AI Development in Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaZTABS builds production AI systems for Riyadh enterprises: energy optimisation for oil and gas, Arabic NLP with Saudi dialect processing, government digital transformation, financial services ML, and custom white-label AI products clients can brand and resell. PDPL data protection, NDMO data classification, SDAIA governance alignment. Remote-first by design from our Houston, Texas office.
UI/UX DesignLearn more about our UI/UX design services nationwide.
Partner with ZTABS for expert UI/UX design in Riyadh. Get a free consultation today.
