[Update April 15, 2025: Here’s a great list of design studios from Creative Boom.]
This post is mostly for me—a place to collect design studios and creatives whose work I admire, so I can return to it for inspiration from time to time. That said, I’m happy to share, in case anyone else finds these as compelling as I do.
Kiss Branding (kissbranding.co.uk)
Kiss Branding is all about vibrant, playful design that doesn’t sacrifice clarity. Their work has a bold, youthful energy that feels fresh without being overwhelming.
Hey Studio (heystudio.es)
Hey Studio is all about bold colors, geometric shapes, and clean, modern typography. Their work feels playful yet structured—an incredible balance of fun and precision.
Subtraction (subtraction.com)
Khoi Vinh’s blog and design work have influenced a lot of people in the digital space. His focus on structure, grids, and simplicity is a great reminder that good design is about clarity. I’m still amazed I got to work with him on the print version of How They Got There … ten years ago!
Wolff Olins (wolffolins.com)
A powerhouse in branding, Wolff Olins consistently pushes the boundaries of identity design. Their approach is strategic, but their visual work is always exciting—big, bold, and unexpected.
Pentagram (pentagram.com)
Probably the most well-known design collective in the world. I admire Pentagram’s ability to stay innovative across different disciplines, from corporate branding to book design to environmental graphics.
Champions Design (championsdesign.com)
Formerly known as OCD, Champions Design is a great example of modern, clean branding done with precision. Their typography and layout choices always feel considered and timeless.
Threespot (threespot.com)
Threespot is a mission-driven design agency that works with nonprofits and social impact organizations. Their ability to create engaging, effective digital experiences for important causes is worth noting. I consulted with them on a project many years ago, helping bring a poetry MOOC to Harvard U.
Hoodzpah (hoodzpahdesign.com)
I love Hoodzpah’s punchy, personality-driven branding work. Their typography choices and layout compositions always have a distinctive energy that makes them stand out. I feel so lucky to have had a chance to work with them on the branding for Snowfort Books.
Order (order.design)
Order is a New York-based studio known for its minimalist, functional approach to branding and identity systems. Their work is crisp, clear, and often typographically driven, with a strong emphasis on grids and structure.
Studio Dumbar/DEPT® (studiodumbar.com)
A Dutch design studio that excels in bold, experimental identity design. They bring a lot of motion and dynamic elements into their work, making even static designs feel full of energy.
Moth Studio (moth.studio)
A small but highly creative team that specializes in animation and illustration. Their work is beautifully stylized and storytelling-driven, blending graphic design with motion in a way that always feels fresh.
LAND (land.studio)
Based in Austin, LAND has a rugged, handcrafted aesthetic that I really admire. Their branding and packaging work often has a tactile, analog feel that stands out in a digital-heavy world.
Gretel (gretelny.com)
Gretel is great at balancing strategy and aesthetics. Their branding work is often modular and flexible, creating identities that feel expansive and adaptable without losing their core essence.
Dayjob (dayjob.work)
Dayjob has a playful, irreverent approach to branding that makes everything they touch feel fun and unexpected. Their work is colorful, quirky, and full of personality—reminding me that design doesn’t always have to take itself too seriously.
Alec Tear (alectear.com)
Alec Tear’s work is often typographically driven, with a strong sense of composition and negative space. Their portfolio has a raw, experimental quality that I find really inspiring.
Debbie Millman (debbiemillman.com)
Debbie Millman is one of the most influential voices in branding and design. Her work spans strategy, storytelling, and visual identity, but she’s also an incredible interviewer—her podcast Design Matters is a must-listen for creative inspiration.
I’ll be updating this list as I discover more studios that inspire me. If you have any favorites, I’d love to hear about them!
