Photo of Selfridges in Bullring, Birmingham

Hello, we’re 16by9

We’re a small web studio based in the West Midlands, UK. We design and build thoughtful websites for charities, non-profits, cultural institutions, and mission-led organisations.

For over a decade, we’ve helped clients improve their online presence by delivering fast, accessible, and user-focused experiences.

Our aim is simple: make the web better, one project at a time.

Photo of Marc Jenkins leading a workshop

Meet Marc

16by9 is led by Marc Jenkins, a designer and developer who’s been building for the web since the early 2000s.

Marc has worked with agencies, in-house teams, and direct clients across a wide range of sectors. He brings a calm, collaborative approach and helps teams navigate complexity, solve problems, and focus on what matters.

When he’s not at the desk, he’s likely behind a camera capturing the world one photo at a time.

Photo of Stuart Chaffe leading a workshop

A flexible partner model

For each project, we build a custom team from our trusted network of freelancers. We bring the exact skills needed for your project.

This means we don't have the bloat or unnecessary overheads of a traditional agency. We can offer better value and flexibility while providing direct access to the people doing the work.

What we believe

The values that shape our work

 
  1. Put people first

    We lead with empathy: for users, clients, and stakeholders. Our work is informed by research and accessibility best practices.

  2. Clear communication

    No jargon. No buzzwords. Just open, honest conversations and regular updates.

  3. Empower our clients

    You’ll own every part of your site from logins to hosting. No lock-ins, no restrictions, no surprises. If you ever decide to move on, you take everything with you.

  4. Care about the craft

    We sweat the small stuff: thoughtful design, clean code, clear words. It all adds up to something that works better and lasts longer.

  5. Prioritise simplicity

    We keep things simple. That means removing noise, reducing friction, and focusing on what really matters to your users and your organisation.

  6. Work without unnecessary layers

    No account managers, bloated teams or convoluted processes. You work directly with the people doing the work.

  7. Adapt thoughtfully

    Change is constant. We stay curious, keep learning, and pay attention to what’s shifting. But we’re cautious not to chase trends for the sake of it.

  8. Share what we learn

    We’re always learning from the generosity of others, and so we try to do the same. A good example is The Website Redesign Handbook: everything we know about the redesign process, shared for free.

  9. Build a better web

    We care about usability, accessibility, sustainability, and joy. Every project is a chance to make the web a better place.