A small studio, by design.
karenlee was founded in 2014 to build the kind of Apple-platform apps the founders wanted to use themselves — quiet, considered, and the right shape for the device they live on.
We work with founders, design-led product teams and engineering organizations that need Apple-platform expertise without hiring a permanent iOS or Mac team. We've shipped on every Apple platform since iPhone OS 3, and on every new platform within the launch quarter — including Apple Watch in 2015 and Apple Vision Pro in 2024.
The studio is intentionally small. One senior designer, three senior engineers, a project lead and a network of long-time collaborators we bring in for specialised work: animation, audio, computer vision, motion capture, and accessibility. We take on six to ten projects a year.
We don't subcontract overseas, we don't outsource App Review, and we don't use cross-platform frameworks. The work is made by the people whose names are on the proposal, and it ships under Apple's stack — because that's how it survives a decade of OS releases.
How we make decisions.
Native is the brief
Apple's frameworks are the floor we start from, not a constraint to work around. Every decision is informed by what the platform makes easy.
Accessibility is not a phase
VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, Reduce Motion, Switch Control, AssistiveTouch — included from the first build, not retrofitted before launch.
Privacy is a feature
On-device intelligence when we can, Secure Enclave for secrets, end-to-end encryption for user data. Apple's privacy stack is a competitive advantage.
Small surface area
An app that does five things well is better than one that does fifty things. We ship deliberately, and we leave things out on purpose.
Built to outlive us
We hand over codebases other engineers can pick up. Documented architecture, tests, sensible naming, no clever frameworks of our own.
Honest about scope
We say no to projects that aren't a fit, and we'll tell you when an idea needs to be smaller. The first call is always free.
Where to find us.
Studio
1221 E Lancaster Ave
Downingtown, PA
United States