Influencer Marketing Hub sets itself apart from conventional review platforms through the involvement of Web Development & Design experts such as Werner Geyser, Djanan Kasumovic, Camille Kennedy, Dave Eagle, and other notable industry figures. This expert team brings a profound understanding of the Web Development & Design landscape, assessing tools and platforms with an insider’s perspective on capabilities, experience, and industry acumen. Unlike user-generated review platforms, Influencer Marketing Hub’s evaluations are rooted in extensive firsthand experience and direct interactions with the tools and platforms in question. This ensures that the reviews are not only trustworthy but also deeply informed. High-caliber brands like SmartSites, Duck.Design, and Disruptive Advertising undergo rigorous monthly evaluations, highlighting the platform’s commitment to identifying and showcasing top-tier solutions in Web Development & Design and beyond.
Influencer Marketing Hub has consistently been recognized by leading media outlets for our authoritative data, findings, and insights within the Web Development & Design landscape. Our platform is frequently cited as a trusted source of information, demonstrating the value and impact of our work in shaping industry standards and practices.
Influencer Marketing Hub employs an expert-driven methodology to evaluate Web Development & Design agencies, ensuring that our recommendations are both reliable and comprehensive. This approach is designed to help businesses and individuals find the best agencies to meet their specific Web Development & Design needs. Here’s how we assess the various agencies like SmartSites, Duck.Design, and Disruptive Advertising:
While some companies can afford to hire an in-house graphic designer, what if you can't? Or what if your graphic design needs are limited, and it doesn't make sense for you to recruit a full-time graphic designer?
Fortunately, there are agencies that you can bring in to meet those graphic design needs without taking on the cost of another full-time employee. In this article, we will share the top graphic design agencies we've found that are skilled and ready to take on your graphic design projects.
As you can probably guess, graphic design work is highly competitive and the best graphic design agencies work doubly hard to stand out in their segment. The top graphic design agencies we've included on our list are agencies with impeccable portfolios filled with clients that range from global, multi-billion-dollar enterprises with unlimited budgets to small businesses looking for a trusted partner to help them meet their graphic design needs on a budget.
The agencies on this list are at the forefront of graphic design trends. Whether you're seeking edgy, minimalist, sophisticated, or traditional designers, you'll discover the best graphic design agency for you right here.
What Are The Top Graphic Design Agencies From Around the World?:
1. SmartSites
Location: Paramus, NJ
Min. Project Size: $1,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Small Business and Midmarket
Notable Clients: Porsche, BMW, General Motors, Mailchimp, Harvard University, Google, Rakuten
SmartSites, one of the leading Digital Marketing agencies, has carved a niche in delivering premium graphic and digital design solutions strategically tailored to elevate brand identities. Their esteemed team of award-winning designers specializes in creating powerful, message-driven graphics that encapsulate the essence of businesses with unrivaled precision. As a Google Premier and Microsoft Advertising Select Partner, the agency’s credibility is underscored by a blend of innovation and expertise.
The agency’s prowess is evident in its offerings, ranging from engaging web banners and bespoke email designs to comprehensive infographic creations and mobile app designs. You can also tap SmartSights designers for your brand style guide, logo design, and company materials, from corporate photography to business cards, brochures, packaging, and vehicle wraps. Its in-house photography specialist handles photography services at its New Jersey offices and on-location within 50 miles.
More than creating attractive and high-quality graphic design, SmartSites advocates image optimization for SEO. As project manager Tanya Pasternak succinctly puts it, a graphic designer’s role covers more than aesthetic appeal but also SEO for improved user experience.
SmartSites is active on social media, sharing thought leadership pieces on LinkedIn and X. They include announcements on its founders’ and executives’ speaking engagements. For instance, co-founder Michael Melen was among the speakers at the 2024 health marketing conference by Swaay Health where he delivered talks on SEO and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, his brother, Alex, discussed how generative AI can enhance market efficiency at the Auto Intel Summit + National Remarketing Conference.
Testimonials laud SmartSites for their great communication, seamless processes, and the tangible impact of their work, including significant revenue boosts and enhanced online presence. Rated as the top digital marketing agency by multiple platforms, SmartSites not only excels in crafting remarkable designs but also in translating visual aesthetics into measurable business growth.
Case Study
SmartSites also uses its LinkedIn account to showcase its most recent projects, one of which includes A&A Coatings. This 70-year-old New Jersey-based business specializes in customized thermal spray coating. SmartSites designed a new logo to modernize the look of this industry pioneer. Along with optimizing A&A’s website for search marketing, rebranding efforts boosted the site’s traffic to 110% and organic search traffic to 118%. Meanwhile, the site’s bounce rate declined 17%.
Forbes Advisor’s small business and personal finance expert writer Kristy Snyder said in her article, “Best Web Design Companies of 2024,”:
“But why we really like SmartSites is its local focus. It specializes in redesigning old and tired small business websites to help make them modern and mobile-optimized.”
She added that businesses can expect a “professional-looking site,” “affordability,“ and “breadth of services.“
Awards
Adweek named SmartSites one of the Fastest Growing Agencies for 2023. Recipients of this award must have shown consistent revenue growth from 2020 to 2022 and achieved a minimum revenue of $250,000 in 2020, which is also the required starting year for all businesses to be eligible for this recognition.
Also, in 2023, the company marked its seventh year as an Inc. 5000 list. In particular, SmartSites made it to Inc.’s Regionals 2024: Northeast, which consists of 198 US-based, private firms. Entities in this roster recorded minimum revenues worth $100k in 2020 and $1M in 2022 besides passing Inc.’s editorial review.
Another client-focused award was from Best Company, which included SmartSites in its list of 28 Companies to Watch.
SmartSites
Outsmart the competition with best-in-class digital marketing services. With over 1,000 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews online, SmartSites is America's #1 rated digital marketing agency. Get more traffic. Acquire more customers. Sell more stuff. SmartSites w...
50+
New Jersey
Best for:
Small and Medium Size Businesses
SmartSites
Outsmart the competition with best-in-class digital marketing services. With over 1,000 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews online, SmartSites is America's #1 rated digital marketing agency. Get more traffic. Acquire more customers. Sell more stuff. SmartSites w...
2. Duck.Design
Location: London, New York
Min. Project Size: Starts at $999
Average Hourly Rate: Monthly subscription and time-bound packages
Market Segment: Small Business, Midmarket
Notable Clients: Ventoo, Samsung, HSBC, UBS, Skycop, IronFX
Duck.Design is a creative agency boasting over 50 in-house designers, representing the top 3% of talents who apply to join the company. It creates designs for logos, infographics, banner ads, landing pages, websites, social media, and emails. The agency also produces printed collaterals, such as merchandise and clothing design, labels, and packaging.
Duck.Design can collaborate across different time zones using its proprietary always-on customer relationship management system. With its fast 12 to 24-hour turnarounds, the company is trusted by the creative and marketing teams of over 400 enterprise firms and high-growth companies.
Duck.Design’s record-breaking completion times aren’t only a result of creative minds. The agency also relies on good client communication. In a LinkedIn post, Duck.Design said that a project’s success depends on brands clarifying their preferences early on. The agency encourages clients to give concrete examples of fonts, colors, and other elements they dislike. At the same time, it also stressed that brands will benefit from trusting their design team’s suggestions and professional insight.
Duck.Design’s unique selling proposition is its transparent, budget-friendly pricing. You can outsource an unlimited number of design projects monthly from $999. Packages are also available for design work with UX/UI ($1,599) or UX/UI plus motion graphics ($1,699). Moreover, the agency offers tiered fees for projects with target completion times of 35, 65, 105, or 235 hours (priced at $1,150, $1,950, $2,940, and $6,110, respectively).
Case Studies
Duck.Design shows several examples of its work in its website’s case studies section and social channels. You’ll find details about each client’s goals and images showcasing how the agency reflected these objectives through website and app design.
Duck.Design also shared the brand colors and fonts developed for their clients in projects where branding style guides were part of their service package. The case studies for Farsight, Hulo, and Poke23 are some examples. However, no details were available on the campaign outcomes (such as the effect of graphics on website traffic and other metrics).
Recognition
Duck.Design has not yet received any reported awards. But it has achieved high review ratings, scoring 5 stars on Get Trusted.
Duck.Design
Your brand designs are too important to be left in the hands of unreliable freelancers or expensive creative agencies. Why not hire an experienced, full-time designer who knows you by name and your brand by heart?
50+
New York, London, Berlin, Hong Kong, Vilnius
Best for:
Small and Medium Companies
Duck.Design
Your brand designs are too important to be left in the hands of unreliable freelancers or expensive creative agencies. Why not hire an experienced, full-time designer who knows you by name and your brand by heart?
3. Disruptive Advertising
Location: Pleasant Grove, UT
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Businesses of all sizes
Notable Clients: Adobe, Fandango, Guitar Center, Fluent, Columbia Southern University
Disruptive Advertising excels as a powerhouse of digital creativity, dedicated to crafting scroll-stopping, compelling creatives that elevate brands into visual masterpieces. When you sign up for Disruptive’s design services, the agency assigns a dedicated designer to work on a “magnetic” landing page design and other requirements.
The agency’s design team is a mix of senior and junior-level graphic and motion designers who share a passion for creative problem-solving. They produce designs promptly to allow for testing and edits, being aware that up to 65% of visual content lingers in consumers’ memories. Moreover, the company can also assist you with developing brand identity strategies and creating video and motion ads to improve click-through rates.
Testing and understanding your campaign’s analytics are crucial as they form the company’s foundation. Jacob Baadsgaard established Disruptive after learning all about analytics while working for Adobe. When he later offered it independently as a service, he boosted his first client’s lead generation volume 15x and doubled its profitability. In his LinkedIn profile, Baadsgaard says:
Up to 76% of Google Adwords and Facebook Ads budgets go down the drain when brands don’t integrate analytics into their marketing efforts.
The “Disruptive Difference” may also stem from the company’s belief in empowering its team. The agency holds annual company-wide summits, where it flies remote staff to their headquarters. In a CMO Alliance article, Baadsgaard said that marketers can reach unexpected heights by expanding their emotional capacity to handle what life throws at them.
Along this vein, each employee gets to attend three of a dozen or so “courses” organized during the summit weekend. They include topics that enrich their professional knowledge (updates on AI and SEO) and self-leadership. The agency also networks with the industry’s younger generation of marketers, such as the Brigham Young University Marketing Association, sharing values and practices to help them succeed as professionals.
Case study
Over 90 clients have been with Disruptive for 4 years or more. The case study on KPMG Spark, facilitated by Disruptive Advertising, showcases how KPMG Spark leveraged advanced technology to enhance its bookkeeping services. Like many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), KPMG Spark faced challenges in efficiently managing bookkeeping. To tackle these issues, they implemented cutting-edge solutions to streamline and automate the bookkeeping process. This innovation not only eased the burden on SMEs but also allowed them to concentrate on business growth and strategic initiatives. The case study illustrates how KPMG Spark’s technological advancements significantly boosted operational efficiency and client satisfaction by providing real-time financial insights and reducing manual workloads.
Awards
Disruptive has an average review rating and referral rating of 4.8 stars. The company also made it to MountainWest Capital’s 2023 Utah 100, which recognizes the fastest-growing companies in the state. Meanwhile, the National Association for Business Resources included Disruptive among its Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation for summer 2023.
Disruptive Advertising
New Offer: Try before you buy! First 30 days on us, with a 90-day no risk guarantee. Only qualifying brands. AUTHENTICITY WINS™ Disruptive Advertising is the best performance marketing agency for authentic brands and marketers.
50+
Utah
Best for:
Businesses of all sizes
Disruptive Advertising
New Offer: Try before you buy! First 30 days on us, with a 90-day no risk guarantee. Only qualifying brands. AUTHENTICITY WINS™ Disruptive Advertising is the best performance marketing agency for authentic brands and marketers.
4. Sociallyin
Location: Atlanta, GA
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Businesses of all sizes
Notable Clients: TGI Friday’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, MagiQuiz, Toyota, The Winter Olympics, Samsung
Sociallyin is a social media-focused agency with an in-house studio and creative team.
It produces various content types, from static/motion graphics and illustrations to videos, AR filters, and captions. You can explore Sociallyin’s AR services to view a sample of their customized filters that can spice up your TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram content more fun and shareable.
The agency can also provide everything you need, whether you tap it for in-studio or on-site production. This covers creative direction, talents (influencer collaboration), a styled set, hair, makeup, background audio and sound effects, and professional editing. These capabilities make the agency a one-stop shop, whether your project involves a testimonial, product demo, how-to guide, or talking head.
Besides discussing your creative brief, Sociallyin’s team will also review your past social campaigns to examine the performance of your posts. Another round of analysis happens after launching a campaign to study the effectiveness of their output and make adjustments. Its clients also get access to a dashboard to view analytics reports.
Sociallyin doesn’t have minimum contract requirements. However, it believes that setting three-month-long goals for each project allows the agency and client to assess growth better and plan the next steps.
If you’re new to social media marketing and want to maximize it as a customer-generation vehicle, Sociallyin can help. It offers social selling training customized to your needs and social channels.
Case Study
Sociallyin’s creative output for Money Crashers and Fras-le shows how the agency can help brands capture attention through either organic or paid content. For Money Crashers, the agency played with the personal finance media company’s brand colors (green, yellow, and orange).
Then, it combined images with engaging copy to strengthen brand awareness and share financial literacy pieces. Facebook and Twitter engagement rose by over 3,000% and 114%, respectively. Meanwhile, profile actions on Instagram grew 212%, and over 2K LinkedIn impressions were recorded as the campaign wrapped up.
For friction material supplier Fras-le, Sociallyin first ran a full audit of its past paid ads before crafting a strategy to improve CTR in three months. The agency’s designers then created custom graphics and videos promoting their aftermarket brake pads for motorcycles, and light and commercial vehicles.
Links on Fras-le’s paid ads exceeded 5,600 clicks, while over 106,000 engagements were recorded during its year-long contract with Sociallyin. Its Facebook page likes soared over 2,100%, while post link clicks skyrocketed over 4,200%.
If you’re looking for fresh content ideas that will appeal to your social media followers, check out Sociallyin’s blog section and social channels. It packages trends, definitions, and guides in concise and attractive slide sets or witty videos on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Sociallyin CEO and founder Keith Kakadia says on LinkedIn that he’s very proud of his design team and shared this studio reel.
Awards
At the same time, the agency ranked 9th place on Agency Spotter’s “Top 100 Marketing Agencies“ report.
Sociallyin
SociallyIn offers creative content tailored to each business, offering influencer marketing, social media solutions, social media advertising & more.
50+
Atlanta
Best for:
Businesses of all sizes
Sociallyin
SociallyIn offers creative content tailored to each business, offering influencer marketing, social media solutions, social media advertising & more.
5. Directive Consulting
Location: Irvine, CA
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149 / hr
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket
Notable Clients: Cisco, WordPress VIP, Amazon, Zoom Info, Sumo Logic, Uber Freight, SentinelOne
Championing the cause of tech and SaaS brands, Directive offers a unique blend of strategic and innovative graphic design services. Their approach is rooted in the belief that impactful design can transform customer relationships, turning casual users into lifelong brand advocates. Their suite of CRO and Performance Design services includes full web design, UX/UI, landing pages, social motion and static ads, and split testing, all backed by data and expert guidance.
Do you need quick advice on a plan or idea? You can reach Directive’s experts through its Slack community. You can join the group for free by filling in the form on its website’s Society page. Once you’re in, you can pick from 16 channels, including #design_and_video.
Directive uses a five-point “customer generation” methodology for running campaigns:
- Step 1: using first-party data to identify your total addressable market (TAM) or potential revenue if no competitors exist.
- Step 2: involves financial modeling through attribution to determine capital allocation over a year.
- Step 3: set metrics for success.
- Step 4: creating an aspirational brand identity or positioning your solution as the “missing piece” your ideal customer needs to overcome their struggle.
- Step 5: implements a data-backed integrated strategy to distribute content.
Zeroing in on performance design, Directive ensures that every visual campaign detail influences the buyer through A/B testing, auditing, and iterating. Old models focus on rigid metrics and standardized processes. Meanwhile, the agency’s customer-led performance design takes a flexible approach that values personalization and continuous feedback to optimize for conversion.
Besides applying these techniques, Disruptive’s commitment to innovation has contributed to generating over $1B worth of revenues for over 200 tech clients in the past decade. It earmarks $3 million for marketing R&D yearly.
Directive loves sharing its wisdom at live events. Mehrguth discussed the power of brand storytelling at the Spryng conference, organized by B2B target market research firm Wynter. The company also joined #SaaStockUSA, where marketers engage with the industry’s operators and investors.
Case Study
Registrar Corp., a compliance platform that helps companies pass US importer and international food safety supplier requirements, chose Directive to improve its paid advertising, website design, and SEO requirements. Three months into their contract, Directive increased conversions by 36% and decreased ad expenses by 55%.
Registrar was impressed with Directive’s “open and transparent” collaboration style, compared with other vendors, who are “all show and no results.” Moreover, the agency ensured that it understood the client’s expected outcomes through questions such as “What is your ultimate goal?” “What do you want your LTV and CAC to be like?” and “How can we move your overall strategic initiatives forward?”
Meanwhile, founder and CEO Garrett Mehrguth noted in an interview that most SaaS companies use motion graphics for their ads. He pushed for the use of live-action to humanize their brands. Mehrguth specifically highlighted the success of this approach in the agency’s campaign for Calendly. However, specific performance statistics for this campaign are unavailable.
Awards
In 2023, LeanData named Directive among its OpsStars finalists. The business process software firm recognizes ops professionals, teams, or companies that achieved revenue growth based on various categories. Directive Consulting was among the OpsStars in the digital transformation category.
Directive optimizes its clients’ tech stack through its customer-led marketing ops philosophy. It ensures that clients adopt marketing software aligned with ROI goals to process data and generate analytics supporting every lifecycle stage.
Directive Consulting
The world’s largest SaaS brands trust Directive to bring their performance marketing campaigns to life across Paid Media, SEO, Creative, Strategy, Lifecycle Marketing, & Video. Directive’s proven Customer Generation methodology has generated +$1B...
50+
Irvine, California
Best for:
Midmarket, Enterprise
Directive Consulting
The world’s largest SaaS brands trust Directive to bring their performance marketing campaigns to life across Paid Media, SEO, Creative, Strategy, Lifecycle Marketing, & Video. Directive’s proven Customer Generation methodology has generated +$1B...
6. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Location: Arlington, Texas
Min. Project Size: $1,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149 / hr
Market Segment: Enterprises, Large and Small brands
Notable Clients: Nationwide Construction, The Farah Law Firm, Geoforce, Northline Express
At Thrive Agency, the focus is on creating customized designs that speak to each client’s unique identity. Whether through sophisticated web design, engaging social media graphics, or compelling infographics, their designs are tailored to enhance online presence and drive business growth.
Thrive specializes in WordPress web design and SEO. In particular, its designers create responsive (page view that adjusts its size and layout to a user’s device), ADA-compliant (for users with disabilities), and mobile-friendly interfaces.
Thrive’s design team also makes logo designs reflecting your brand’s personality. Clients get a dedicated team of project managers whom they meet regularly via video conferencing. At the same time, Thrive’s social media marketing team can help you reach your B2B or B2C audiences through its multi-market expertise.
The agency is an Inc. 5000 lister, having stayed on its roster for the past seven years until 2023. It also won a National Excellence award from UpCity in 2024 for being one of its listed service providers with the highest customer satisfaction scores. Thrive has established offices in 25 cities worldwide since it launched in 2005.
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency is a full service agency specializing in UI/UX, Web Design, Branding, SEO, PPC, Social Media Management, Link Building, and more.
50+
Arlington, Texas
Best for:
Enterprises, Large and Small brands
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency is a full service agency specializing in UI/UX, Web Design, Branding, SEO, PPC, Social Media Management, Link Building, and more.
7. Moburst
Location: New York City, San Francisco, Miami, London, Tel Aviv
Min. Project Size: 25,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Small Business, Midmarket, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Uber, Reddit, YouTube, Pfizer, Deezer, Philips, Gett, Pink Park, Calm, Vodio, Discovery
Moburst digital marketing and web development agency, offers a range of services focused on campaign conceptualization and design. It has accepted projects—over 600 websites and products—from clients in over 70 nations in the past decade.
Its concept and design experts apply best practices to ensure that brand assets—from static images to carousels, GIFs, and reels—make users act according to their client’s intended results. Moburst’s out-of-the-box creators refer to past and present performance data, optimizing content to make it shine on the platform where it’s published.
While Moburst can deliver designs for web pages, social media, and mobile apps, it is known for its mobile-first expertise as evidenced by its Digital Agency of the Year win in the 2023 edition of Mobile Marketing Association’s SMARTIES X Global and North America Awards.
Moburst
Moburst is a full-service agency that helps companies scale and become category leaders. We love user experience and truly believe in creating memorable experiences through high-end design and development. We won 32 awards for our work in 2022 as we ...
50+
New York City, San Francisco, Miami, London, Tel Aviv
Best for:
Small Business, Midmarket, Enterprise
Moburst
Moburst is a full-service agency that helps companies scale and become category leaders. We love user experience and truly believe in creating memorable experiences through high-end design and development. We won 32 awards for our work in 2022 as we ...
8. Clay
Location: San Francisco, CA
Min. Project Size: 50,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Small Business, Midmarket, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Google, Meta, Cisco, UPS, Discover, Amazon, Uber, Sony, Coinbase, T-Mobile, Slack
Clay is a UI/UX design and branding agency. They create world-class digital products, web design, and branding across all platforms. They offer a wide range of graphic design services, including art direction, illustration and graphic design (icons/2D/3D graphics), brand identity (visual and verbal), animation and video, motion design, web design and development, digital strategy, and UX/UI design and research (web and mobile).
Its cross-disciplinary team integrates AI, VR, and AR into human creativity for memorable user experiences that consistently exceed client’s targets. The result is “future-proofed” websites and products with a longevity of 5 years or more without being updated.
Several of Clay’s projects were nominated and honored at the 2024 Webby Awards, led by the end-to-end talent experience management platform Phenom (employment category nominee). Meanwhile, the Reyes Beverage Group website was among the honorees in the Best UI category. The third Webby recognition was for the Grayscale crypto asset management solution in the financial services category.
Clay
Clay is a UI/UX design and branding agency in San Francisco.
10 - 50
300 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
Best for:
Enterprise
Clay
Clay is a UI/UX design and branding agency in San Francisco.
9. DD.NYC (formerly DigitalDesign.NYC)
Location: New York City, NY
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Midmarket, Small Business, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Walmart, Forbes, CyberYachts, Chef Antoine Lours, Roommate, The Bait Shoppe
DD.NYC® is a trusted partner in the graphic design industry, renowned for its swift and reliable delivery of top-tier design solutions. The agency’s expertise lies in crafting high-impact, budget-friendly materials that align perfectly with your brand’s identity and objectives.
Its graphic design services are comprehensive, covering everything from brand/pitch decks to marketing collateral and infographics. DD.NYC’s team specializes in creating compelling investor decks, real estate showcases, investor updates, and keynote presentations. Its strategists and designers are also seasoned experts in creating online, outdoor, and vehicle ads.
The agency also offers corporate design services, creating unique logos, typography, and stationery that reflect your brand’s ethos.
The brand identity that DD.NYC created for the 50th anniversary of the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Gala in 2023 won a silver recognition at the 2024 Anthem Awards in the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Event/Fundraising Categories.
The assets included the anniversary event website with captivating and unique 3D motion graphics. Meanwhile, Anthem recognized the agency’s work for the non-profit Airatae. DD.NYC received a bronze award for the product announcement and landing page regarding this platform, which allows users to support social causes based on their interests.
DD.NYC (formerly DigitalDesign.NYC)
DD.NYC® is an award-winning NYC digital design agency for branding, web design, UI/UX & packaging design!
10 - 50
New York, NY
Best for:
Midmarket, Enterprise, Small Business
DD.NYC (formerly DigitalDesign.NYC)
DD.NYC® is an award-winning NYC digital design agency for branding, web design, UI/UX & packaging design!
10. Neuron
Location: San Francisco, New York, Boston, Los Angeles
Min. Project Size: $25,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 —$199
Market Segment: Midmarket, Small Business, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Jobble, Vivint, Vendr
Neuron is a UX/UI design agency that creates best-in-class digital experiences to help businesses succeed in today’s digital world. It creates responsive, cross-platform graphic design products for web apps, desktop software, mobile apps, tablet apps, and embedded apps.
The agency’s deliverables include wireframes, prototypes, and branding style guides. Neuron also offers “DesignOps” services meant to streamline your internal design workflows, maintain consistent quality, and optimize automation for prompt delivery. Neuron was #6 among Agency Spotter’s “Top 50 User Experience Design Agencies Report“ as of November 2023.
Neuron
Your UX/UI design partner for B2B workplace products.
10 - 50
San Francisco, New York, Boston, Los Angeles
Best for:
Medium Sized Brands
Neuron
Your UX/UI design partner for B2B workplace products.
11. Clever Code Lab
Location: Poltava, UA
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $25 – $49
Market Segment: Small Business, Midmarket
Notable Clients: Influencer Marketing Hub, GifYard, Finomedia, Testerheld, Tester.Club
Since its creation in 2015, Clever Code Lab has exercised design discretion for some of the most delightful brands, making bold design choices to convey brand messaging when required and not shying away from unorthodox choices.
Clever Code Lab offers artful illustrations, animations, videos, and all graphical elements to create brand identities and activate brand experiences. Visit Clever Code Lab’s Design & Art webpage to experience how its illustrators and motion designers breathe life into imaginative concepts.
If you prefer to partner with a lean team to produce simple but “boundary-pushing solutions,“ this agency is a good choice. Clever Code Lab consists of just a little over a dozen members of designers and web developers. It has handled over 40 successful projects since its establishment in 2016.
Clever Code Lab
Whether working with a startup or an established brand, Clever Code Lab is the go-to partner for creating captivating and memorable online experiences that resonate with users and drive engagement. They aim to help clients transform their digital pre...
10 - 50
UA, Poltava
Best for:
Small Business, Midmarket
Clever Code Lab
Whether working with a startup or an established brand, Clever Code Lab is the go-to partner for creating captivating and memorable online experiences that resonate with users and drive engagement. They aim to help clients transform their digital pre...
12. Pentagram
Location: New York City, Texas, London
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $50 – $99
Market Segment: Midmarket, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Planned Parenthood, NYU, Rolling Stone, Samsung, MTV, Harrods, Upworthy, Mastercard, Nesta, Saks Fifth Avenue, Starbucks
Pentagram is an independently-owned design studio that offers just about any service you may need: graphics, brand identity, products, packaging, exhibitions, installations, websites, digital experiences, advertising, communications, sound, and motion.
Pentagram has 24 partners that not only own the business, but that are all practicing designers. These owners both create the work and act as primary contacts for each client, showing a personal commitment that has continued since 1972.
Angus Hyland, a London-based Pentagram partner, and his team bagged nine awards during the 2024 Transform Awards Europe. The event recognizes companies excelling in brand strategy and rebranding. Hyland’s awards included brand strategist of the year and best overall visual identity for Quarto Publishing Group’s new logo.
13. Xhilarate
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Midmarket, Small Business, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Oakley Commercial Flooring, Drexel University, Aegis Advisory Partners, Assero, Procter & Gamble, McCormick & Co.
Xhilarate was founded in 2016 and offers services like web design, graphics, logos, print, and packaging with the aim of creating experiential brand experiences for their clients. Xhilarate works to create human-centered experiences to help brands transform and grow. Its project for Three 3’s Brewing Company won a platinum award for Best Brand Refresh during the 2024 “Crushies” Craft Beer Marketing Awards.
14. & Walsh
Location: New York, NY
Min. Project Size: Data unavailable
Average Hourly Rate: Data unavailable
Market Segment: Businesses of all sizes
Notable Clients: Google I/O, Coordinape, Lex, Jow, Kathrein Privatbank
&Walsh is a creative agency of Jessica Walsh, who worked with Stefan Sagmeister under the Sagmeister & Walsh brand from 2012 to 2019. The duo had created art and design projects for The New York Times and BMW and album covers for The Rolling Stones, Jay Z, and other artists. Sagmeister reportedly eventually stepped back from commercial work, inspiring Walsh to run her own business.
The 2015 Forbes 30 under 30 lister is still based in New York, specializing in art direction, brand strategy, design, and production across various platforms. Her team handles illustration, animation, social content creation, and advertising.
In 2024, Design and Art Direction gave the President’s Award to Walsh for “epitomizing what a modern female creative leader can be.” D&AD president Jack Renwick said her work “forms new conversations and pushes design and branding into new exciting places.” The organization annually celebrates the most outstanding commercial creative work in over 75 nations.
15. Captiva Marketing
Location: St. Louis, MO
Min. Project Size: Unspecified
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: SMBs
Notable Clients: bioMérieux, Paradigm Tax Group, Signature Kitchen & Bath, CustomCrete
Captiva Marketing is a full-service advertising agency that specializes in digital marketing, paid search, web design, social media, video production, and SEO. It looks for clients who are passionate about their own products and services and look to build long-term partnerships with their clients.
The agency has an in-house studio where it weaves its multimedia magic. Its creative design team has expertise in illustrations and animation for logos, videos, apps, social content, shopping feeds, and printed corporate materials.
Moreover, it earned the Local Excellence Award and Best of Missouri Winner from UpCity in 2023.
16. Starfish
Location: New York City, NY
Min. Project Size: $25,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket, Small Business
Notable Clients: PwC, Dunkin Donuts, Weight Watchers, RiverSpring Health Plans, Leaf Vodka, The Brooklyn Hospital Center
For Starfish, brand experience is the core of every business. Thus, it has taken a holistic approach in embarking on projects with over 500 clients since 2002. Campaigns are developed based on a comprehensive, actionable, and well-researched strategy that creates transformative customer journeys besides memorable experiences.
Starfish’s design team typically shows at least six ideas in its first round of designs. Then, it moves to rounds two and three through client feedback and collaboration. The agency’s brand identity design encompasses logos, color palette, typography, iconography, imagery, and style guide/brand book.
In 2023, Starfish won several awards for its work for fleet management service provider Holman. They include two golds—best visual identity from the transport and logistics center and best brand consolidation—and one silver, best brand evolution (business). Also, one of the agency’s creative directors, Samantha Aliferov, won Transform Magazine’s “Young Contender of the Year” award.
17. Cleveland Design
Location: Quincy, MA
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket, Startups
Notable Clients: Thomson Reuters, Honeywell, Sensitech, NBC Universal, Carrier
Cleveland Design works to turn its clients’ value propositions into visual identities that inspire confidence in your business. The agency ensures its work strengthens your brand from the inside out to generate the results you’ve set forth. Its top perk: clients get to work directly with the agency’s designers, web developers, and copywriters instead of working with account managers.
Their services cover design strategies—including brand migration solutions for mergers and acquisitions—to brand logos, branded intranet design, and digital communications (website, infographics, and social media content). Its design team also offers video creation (animation and motion graphics), print collaterals, and exhibit solutions.
18. Digital Silk
Location: New York City, Miami, San Diego, Chicago
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket
Notable Clients: IBM, Xerox, Sony, Puma Energy, Analyst1, Northwestern University, G2 eSports
Digital Silk focuses on creating superior digital experiences for its clients through cutting-edge brand strategies, websites, apps, and marketing campaigns and strategies. Its branding services include logo, book, packaging, and marketing collateral design for B2B, B2C, and eCommerce companies. Its staff consists of top industry experts who take a results-driven, proactive approach.
Each team member has a branding/design career spanning at least 10 years. One of the agency’s recent successes is the website revamp of Productside, an online provider of product management certification courses. You can find other projects on its LinkedIn page.
19. The Bureau of Small Projects
Location: Rolling Hills Estates, CA; Brooklyn, NY
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Midmarket, Large Business, Enterprise
Notable Clients: AmyriAD, AUX Architecture, Happy Monkey, Kahn Media, Pocari Sweat, Sensei Biotech
The Bureau of Small Projects began as an incubator of a bigger firm, which worked exclusively with big brands and Fortune 500 businesses. Inspired by the 2010 science article “Kindness is Contagious,” the parent agency went on a mission to help non-profits, healthcare organizations, and small businesses with their marketing needs. That incubator has since grown to become one of the most preferred graphic design agencies of various industries.
The Bureau is part of the Inc. 5000.
20. Landor
Location: London, UK (HQ)
Min. Project Size: Unspecified
Average Hourly Rate: Unspecified
Market Segment: Enterprise, Institutions, Large Business
Notable Clients: Kellogg’s, Waltermart, Imperia, Lego, Microsoft, Nike, Procter & Gamble, Singtel
Walter Landor was a brand design pioneer who established Landor Associates in 1941. The original Coca-Cola, Shell Oil, and General Electric logos are some of his famous creations.
The new blue logo it launched in 2023 pays tribute to its business origins. The agency held its first office on a converted ferryboat docked at San Francisco’s Pier 5. You’ll find the ship icon on the footer of the agency website’s pages.
Landor—which belongs to the UK-based advertising giant WPP—has expertise in brand architecture, brand strategy, customer journey mapping, customer segmentation, agile adaptation, and a whole lot more. Among its top 2023 projects were the refreshed brands of Hippo Harvest, Castrol, and the Milan Symphony Orchestra.
21. The Yard Creative (TYC)
Location: London, UK
Min. Project Size: $25,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket, Small Business
Notable Clients: Christy, Converse, Talou, Lolea, GB Railfreight, JFK Airport
The Yard Creative (TYC) describes itself as an evidential design studio whose core services are research, strategy, and branding. TYC combines market and social analysis with emotional mapping of customer journeys. Then, it crafts seamless experiences across all touchpoints—websites, apps, tactile digital experiences, and augmented reality. In 2019, the agency became part of RSBG UK, which aligns with TYC’s values of promoting environmental and economic change.
In 2023, its work for teen beauty brand indu won a bronze award from Transform Magazine Europe under the category “Best strategic or creative development of a new brand.“
22. Wolff Olins
Location: New York City, NY
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket, Small Business
Notable Clients: Instacart, Decathlon, LG Electronics, GSK, The Met, TikTok, Uber
Another veteran in modern branding design, Wolff Olins, believes that creating transformative brands and campaigns is a non-linear journey characterized by diverse perspectives and experimentation. This sense of innovation and adventurism is tempered by the agency’s other core pillars of precision and strategic rigor. Its new logo—launched in 2023—aimed to capture all these traits through the squiggly letter W and the solid letter O.
Since its inception in 1965, Wolff Olins has grown to a global team of around 200 designers, strategists, technologists, program managers, and educators. The agency is among Ad Age’s 2024 “Best Places to Work.“
In 2024, Wolff Olins celebrated its D&AD Pencil award for the New York Botanical Garden. Meanwhile, its logo refresh for Bite Back, a movement against junk food consumption among kids, was shortlisted.
23. 2Novas
Location: St. Louis, MO
Min. Project Size: $1,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Banks and credit unions of various sizes
Notable Clients: Dewitt Savings Bank, The Atlanta National Bank, Midwest BankCentre, Missouri Housing Development Commission
2Novas is one of the best graphic design agencies for generating leads and building long-term relationships with customers in the banking and credit sectors. Although a majority of its online portfolio consists of video campaigns, 2Novas’ creative team also handles digital (PPC, social — including Facebook post graphics, and programmatic) ads.
2Novas also offers an intensive 12-week Bank Accelerator workshop to help executives iron out branding inconsistencies across bank branches. The program also seeks to identify and act on internal operational bottlenecks.
In 2024, the agency partnered with predictive analytics solution Insait IO, sharpening audience targeting for all types of campaigns. 2Novas owner Dan Novalis, a sought-after speaker on financial podcasts and forums, joined the company as the head of US growth.
24. Lounge Lizard
Location: New York City, NY
Min. Project Size: $25,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Midmarket, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Sur4ces, Sachem Public Library, Agilant Solutions, Website Closers, HIVE
Lounge Lizard’s “Mixologists” craft digital branding elements, while its “Brandtenders” serve up design-forward, SEO-enhanced, and revenue-driving websites. The company started as an ad firm in 1998 and evolved into a full-service digital marketing agency serving businesses worldwide. The company’s marketing “lizards” ensure that their creations will take their clients’ audiences from awareness to action in seven seconds.
Among Built In NYC’s “Top 15 NYC Design Agencies You Should Know.“ The agency took the top spot in Web Design Rankings’ “The 30 Best Web Design Companies of 2024.”
25. Shikatani Lacroix Design (SLD)
Locations: Toronto, Shanghai
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: Data unavailable
Market Segment: Large Business, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Child Development Institute, Achev, Flow, PepsiCo Food & Beverages, Cox Communications, Nu Skin
According to SLD’s ThinkBlink philosophy, effective designs and marketing should create emotional connections that prompt consumers to act in seconds—in the blink of an eye. This “ThinkBlink factor” has guided the company since 1990, from its brand strategy development and positioning to digital experiences. Visual identity design, brand architecture, style guides, and out-of-home marketing are among the primary offerings of its brand design suite.
In 2024, SLD won two Good Design awards under the graphic design category. One is for TATA Consumer Products’ Tetley Live Teas, and the other is for Kraft Heinz’s Renée’s Dips. Meanwhile, its Giant Tiger packaging design for Giant Value was a nominee to the 2024 PAC Global Awards (revitalized food brand).
26. DePersico Creative
Location: West Chester, PA
Min. Project Size: $1,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $155
Market Segment: Small Business, Midmarket
Notable Clients: Ball Park Buns & Rolls, Davinci Signature, Idahoan, Sea Best Family Favorites
DePersico Creative specializes in food and beverage marketing, offering packaging design since 1977. Its services include logo/label design, brand revitalization, naming, and positioning. Visual identity projects begin with a SWIFI (Strengths, Weaknesses, and Ideas For Improvement) analysis to ensure maximum shelf appeal amid the competition. The family-owned agency’s naming consultants use creative linguistics to match your imagery with an equally impactful copy.
Depersico is #2 in Top Branding Companies’ list of “Top Product Packaging Design Companies.“
27. BMG Media Co.
Location: Birmingham, MI
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Businesses of all sizes
Notable Clients: Palltronics, Airspace Link, D&B Grocers, Neptix
BMG Media Co. started as one of the go-to graphic design agencies among local businesses and has since expanded to 1000 companies worldwide. Established in 2009, BMG Media primarily customizes web design but has creative design expertise spanning branding, illustrations, animation, and 3D rendering.
Its team can execute digital marketing tactics. It works mostly with businesses across various industries from general contracting, CBD, consumer goods, and gaming to like healthcare, medicine, real estate, and restaurants, hospitality, insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Overseas, the company operates from Morocco and Poland.
28. MetaDesign
Location: San Francisco, New York, Beijing, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Lausanne, Zürich
Min. Project Size: Unspecified
Average Hourly Rate: Unspecified
Market Segment: Large Business, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Volkswagen, Siemens, Lacoste, ChatWork, Embark, Fuze
MetaDesign consists of the MDX unit, which focuses on product design, and the MetaSpaces division, which handles spatial design projects. MDX’s services include product/experience strategy, product and service development, physical product development, and UI/UX design.
“German font god” Erik Spiekermann set up MetaDesign in 1979, together with three other partners. He designed the typography of Audi and “The Economist.” MetaDesign won the honorary Agency of the Year award from Red Dot in 2022. Validating the design firm’s esteemed image, Cannes Lions chose MetaDesign China managing director Mauro Marescialli as a juror for the 2024 International Festival of Creativity.
29. Huncwot
Location: Warsaw, POL
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $50 – $99
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket
Notable Clients: IKEA, Harvard University, Meta, AT&T, PepsiCo, PayPal, Rolex
Łukasz Knasiecki and Arek Romański started the business in 2007. Nearly two decades later, it has evolved into a multi-awarded design agency with close to 200 completed projects. Their work includes corporate identities, multimedia websites, mobile apps, and social media campaigns.
Huncwot has noble pursuits in contrast to the literal meaning of its business name (scoundrel in Polish). In particular, it is passionate about cultural projects. Penderecki’s Garden—a website dedicated to Polish musical composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki—won Awwwards’ Site of the Day and Developer Award in 2021. The agency had collected bigger honors earlier, including a Webby (2020) and a gold and silver at the European Design Awards (2013 and 2019).
30. House Industries
Location: Yorklyn, DE
Min. Project Size: Unspecified
Average Hourly Rate: Unspecified
Market Segment: Enterprise, Entrepreneurs, Institutions
Notable Clients: Jimmy Kimmel Live, The New Yorker, Uniqlo, Hermes, Muji, Herman Miller
House Industries opened in 1993 mainly as a type foundry or a company that creates and distributes custom typefaces. The design studio is behind the iconic Chalet, Neutraface, and United fonts. Later, it developed its merchandise line that included design books, home decor, prints, and shirts.
House Industries offers font licensing, customized fonts, and customized logos. In 2024, the updated logo it made for Sandals & Beaches Resorts became the Type Director’s Club winner for lettering.
31. DELT
Location: St. Louis, MO
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Small Business, Midmarket
Notable Clients: Brantley Hotel, Tenth Life, Volpe Accounting, Locoz Tacoz, The Land Market
DELT’s branding services range from logo and print designs to full-service brand strategy and development. Expertise.com includes the agency in its 2024 list of “Best Web Designers in St. Louis.“ Its operations began in 2014. Founder Matt McKenna named the company after the initials of his dear childhood friends Dominik Elking and Tyler Sindelar, who became his inspiration after their passing at a young age.
32. The Chase
Location: Manchester, ENG
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket, Small Business
Notable Clients: Apple, Black & Decker, Sainsbury’s, Fujitsu, M&S
The Chase has nearly 40 years of industry experience—since 1986—and over 350 national and international awards, making them one of the most decorated creative consultancies in the UK and the world. It produces graphic designs for branding (logos and symbols), content corporate stationery and promotional items, posters, calendars, packaging, and exhibition/outdoor projects.
Design Week recognized The Chase as the UK’s most creative agency in 2013. More recently, its “150 Years of The FA Cup stamps” for Royal Mail Stamps and Collectibles won gold in The 2022 Shark Awards’ print communication category. This same project was shortlisted for the 2023 Design Week’s print communications category. It also won a gold for creating the marquee for Chain House Brewing Co. Meanwhile, the company received a nomination for graphic design in the 2024 D&AD Awards for its 3 Kings Christmas card.
33. Metalab
Location: Victoria, BC
Min. Project Size: $100,000+
Average Hourly Rate: Unspecified
Market Segment: Startups, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Midjourney, Patreon, Pitch, Tempest, Slack, Notarize, Headspace, Waking Up
Born in British Columbia in 2006, Metalab’s team boasts of being masters of interface design, development, and testing. It has worked with almost all commonly used sites and apps, from Google to Uber and Tinder. However, the agency’s focus has widened to include branding, product and UX research, strategy, development, and testing.
Metalab’s talent network has grown to a workforce representing 17 nations across 14 time zones. In 2024, Awwwards recognized Metalab as Site of the Day amid a refreshed company logo. From a typeset style, its logo is now a 3D star that moves and changes form.
34. Urban Insight
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Min. Project Size: $50,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Enterprise, Institution
Notable Clients: American Library Association, Gilcrease Museum of Art, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Broad
Urban Insights has successfully launched over 500 websites since it began operations in 2000. A capable design team deep-dives into buyer personas to back up its Drupal and WordPress specialists in providing the most engaging and impactful user experiences. Entities in urban planning, legal aid services, higher education, and cultural arts have so far relied on their expertise.
In 2023, Urban Insight received the California State Master Service Award. This award signifies its extensive experience and resources in digital, data, and tech consulting, opening up future collaborations with other state agencies.
35. Charlie Smith Design (CSD)
Location: London, UK
Min. Project Size: Unspecified
Average Hourly Rate: Unspecified
Market Segment: Midmarket, Small Business, Entrepreneurs
Notable Clients: Unicef, Cadogan Estates, Morrisons, YouTime.Online, John Lewis & Partners, NewRiver, V&A Publishing
Charlie Smith Design (CSD) has enriched the visual identities of cultural, food, retail, and property brands since 2003. Its team creates logos and designs for the web, books, corporate print collaterals, packaging, and outdoor signages.
Founder and creative director Charlie Smith started her career with Pentagram. Her team’s work for Byron Burgers was a Bar winner at the You Can Now Professional Awards for illustration. In 2023, CSD was busy with the “Gabrielle Chanel Fashion Manifesto” exhibition and Chelsea in Bloom, London’s largest and most prestigious floral art show that’s free to the public.
36. Happy Cog
Location: New York City, NY
Min. Project Size: Unspecified
Average Hourly Rate: Unspecified
Market Segment: Midmarket
Notable Clients: Door Controls USA, Newmark: Brandhub, Jovia, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Papa John’s
Entrepreneur, designer, and web standards pioneer Jeffrey Zeldman owned the original business named Happy Cog in 1999. In 2018, Matthew Weinberg and his friend, Lee Goldberg—who established Vector Media in 2002 as high school buddies—acquired Happy Cog. The duo had quit their day jobs after college to focus on website development and marketing as they got more gigs.
From just web development, digital marketing, and site/app design, the agency has branched out to include market/consumer research, strategy, analytics, and optimization. Its “People-First” slogan emphasizes its commitment to research-backed design that targets the right audience.
Happy Cog’s work for Yoga International was a best content site finalist in the 2021 Agency Awards of Gatsby, the company behind the open source, frontend framework. Meanwhile, Stripe chose Happy Cog to be among its inaugural Services Implementation Specialized Partners in 2024. The online payment company only chose 11 worldwide to be a part of its launch group.
37. VerdanaBold
Location: Chicago, IL
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Midmarket, Enterprise, Institution
Notable Clients: Cardinal Health, Chicago Public Library, Hyatt, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Kellogg School of Management
VerdanaBold’s design services can give an extra oomph to your sales pitches, keynote addresses, product demonstrations, and seminars. Its expertise in PowerPoint and other tools can help you create memorable and compelling slides, infographics, and training materials for online and in-person purposes.
Marketing agencies had sought the expertise of VerdanaBold’s founders for their sales presentations. The agency was founded in 2016 to meet the visual aids of professionals across industries, whether they’re C-suite execs or presenting for the first time. Its team also offers presentation guides and training.
38. Leo Burnett
Locations: Chicago, IL (HQ); offices in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Enterprise
Notable Clients: Pizza Hut, NBA, Gatorade, Fiat, Kellogg’s, Emirates NBD Bank
Leo Burnett is named after its founder who started running the agency in 1935. The company now has 96 offices in 85 countries. The agency is behind trailblazing campaigns, such as P&G Always’ “#LikeAGirl,” Samsung Gear VR’s first live-streamed virtual reality birth, and McDonald’s 24 hours of joy involving 24 cities.
Leo Burnett offers design, omnichannel advertising, data and analytics, digital/interactive, direct/CRM, eCommerce marketing, social media marketing, event production, research, and strategic planning. The agency—which belongs to the Publicis Groupe—runs on the “HumanKind Operating System,” which uses Epsilon consumer data and analytics for strategy and campaign development.
Leo Burnett’s awards prove it delivers results based on its HumanKind credo of making brands more valuable to its markets. 2023 was an eventful year as the agency won 30 Cannes Lions. Three of these honors were gold awards. Moreover, it won six ADC Awards and 28 One Asia Creative Awards. Moreover, Leo Burnett Indonesia won Creative Agency of the Year at the 2023 SMARTIES APAC Awards (Asia-Pacific).
39. Pearlfisher
Location: London, UK; New York City, NY
Min. Project Size: $10,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Midmarket, Large Business, Enterprise
Notable Clients: McDonald’s, Coppertone, Colgate, Kotex, Seedlip, Love Ocean, General Mills
Pearlfisher is another leading UK-based branding company whose visionary team includes “futurists and realizers.” Its design team “creates desire at every touchpoint” through visual identity, digital design, CGI and motion, sustainable design, structural design, and packaging design services.
Operating since 1992, Pearlfisher secured a gold award from Pentawards in 2023 for its rebranding of the vegan meal delivery service allplants. It won 9 honors from the same award-giving body two years prior. In the same year, the agency’s rebrand of Eichhof Beer also won gold at the 2023 Design Business Association’s Design Effectiveness Awards. Meanwhile, leading marketing website The Drum awarded Pearlfisher as the Agency of the Year in 2022.
40. Frog Design
Location: San Francisco, CA, New York, NY; several offices in the US and around the world
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Large Business, Institutions, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Unilever, Hyliko, MeMed, Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation, Norwegian Sea Rescue Society
Frog Design started as Esslinger Design, established by industrial designer Hartmut Esslinger in Germany in 1969. It’s famous for its designs for WEGA—the German TV and electronics brand—and Sony, which acquired the former in 1975. Esslinger changed his agency’s name to Frog in 1982 upon transferring to California, where he designed Apple products for Steve Jobs. Between 1999 and 2009, Frog collaborated with Microsoft, Disney, and GE, creating new software, mobile apps, and connected experiences.
The design studio looks at businesses holistically, introducing clients to intelligent systems, VR, and AI in brand strategy and design projects. A member of Capgemini Invent management consultancy, Frog’s work for immune response tech firm MeMed won the Red Dot for High Design Quality in 2021. Meanwhile, the finance mobile app developed for Odeabank won the 2024 iF Design Award.
41. ArtVersion®
Location: Chicago, IL
Min. Project Size: $5,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket, Small Business
Notable Clients: Mack Trucks, Gilson, Hilton, Jetro, TransUnion
ArtVersion has provided graphic and interactive design services since 1999. Its team designs logos, corporate identities, infographics, catalogs, packaging, annual reports, impact reports, white papers, marketing collateral, and trade show graphics. Due to its popularity in UX design, The Internet Society tapped ArtVersion in 2023 for its Internet Hall of Fame website, which honors personalities with significant contributions to the Internet’s accessibility and safety.
An earlier collaboration with the Society—The 2021 Impact Report—landed ArtVersion a gold award for the cause awareness category in the 2022 w3 Awards. ArtVersion also won gold and silver in w3’s art and cultural institution categories for its work for the Virginia A. Groot Foundation. The foundation’s website also gave the agency a gold award in the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards under the website category. Meanwhile, at the 2024 Davey Awards, ArtVersion won four golds and two silver Davey Awards for its work on redesigning Legat Architects’ website.
42. Mucho
Location: San Francisco, CA; offices in various countries (AUS, FR, ESP)
Min. Project Size: $50,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $25 – $49
Market Segment: Enterprise, Midmarket
Notable Clients: Visa, Aeromexico, PayPal, Kodak, Bash, The Puig Women’s America’s Cup
Mucho’s multi-cultural team of strategists and designers—over a dozen nations represented—collaborate with businesses for their brand strategy, brand identity, brand management, design, and art direction needs. This branding and design firm opened in Barcelona in 2002.
Its recent accomplishments include gold (2023) and silver (2024) cubes in brand and communication design at the ADC Global Awards & Club for The University of California Investments’ 2022 and 2023 annual reports. The publication also won an honorable mention at the Creative Review Annual Awards 2024. Meanwhile, its project for fishing trips and excursions business Big C Charters won in D&AD 2023 (brand refresh and typography).
43. Polar Creative
Location: London, UK; Chelmsford, Essex
Min. Project Size: $25,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149
Market Segment: Midmarket, Enterprise, Small Business
Notable Clients: Prospect, Ignite, Flexidao, Sagic, Uplift, Wagtails, Arcon Yachts
Polar chose its business name to describe its “open, free, and engaging” creative process and its team that’s unafraid to do the “polar opposite” of what’s familiar. To borrow their own words, the agency doesn’t work like your “average bear.”
A certified B Corp and Webflow professional partner founded in 2013, the agency offers branding, graphic design, video/animation production, web design, and UX/UI design. Polar won the Best Creative Agency in the UK award at the 2022 UK Agency Awards. It was a finalist for the same award in the event’s 2023 edition. The agency has also received a nomination for the Creative Agency of the Year category at the Global Agency Awards.
44. Dessein
Location: Perth, AUS
Min. Project Size: $1,000 – $10,000
Average Hourly Rate: $170+
Market Segment: Large Business, Institution, Enterprise
Notable Clients: Meluka Australia, Kailis Australian Pearls, Cadbury, Joey Zaza’s, Magic Abalone, Beerland Brewing
Print design, specifically product packaging, is Dessein’s field of expertise. It focused on food styling, creative photography, and structural packaging when it started in 1987. However, its services have since expanded to include branding, web design, and way-finding signages.
Dessein’s quality output has made it a favorite among local businesses (based on UpCity’s “Top Graphic Designers in Perth”) and award-giving bodies beyond Australia. In 2024, The World Brand Design Society gave the agency a silver award in the brand redesign category for its rebranding of Margaret River Natural Spring Water. Meanwhile, its work for EFM audio and device protection products bagged a silver for inclusive and accessible design at the 2023 Pentawards.
Industry Expert Insights: What to Look for in a Graphic Design Agency
In the United States alone, there are over 133,600 graphic design companies. This figure does not account for freelance designers and creative businesses. Among the many choices available, there are undoubtedly suitable options for your brand. The critical question is finding the one that will fit your business seamlessly.
But before diving into your search for a graphic design agency, it’s crucial to define your project’s specifics. How much is your budget? What type of graphic design services do you need? Are you looking for a logo, banners, illustrations, or a complete brand design package? Set clear goals. What do you want to achieve with your design – increased awareness or higher sales? Take the time to document all the project details. The more precise your brief is, the more effectively the agency can assist you.
To facilitate communication, gather examples of designs you admire and share them with the designers you plan to collaborate with. This can be a valuable tool in choosing the right partner firm. If it has experience creating designs in a style that resonates with you, that company is more likely to align with your vision.
You can begin your search for a graphic design agency with a comprehensive brief. Here are some key insights on what to consider in your search.
Updated Portfolio
Start by visiting their websites and exploring their portfolios and case studies. You must pay close attention to how frequently they update their website. A regularly updated site with new portfolio projects, blog posts, or other updates indicates an engaged and active agency committed to staying current and relevant.
Look at their past and current work on their portfolio. The graphic design portfolio offers an initial look into their work, helping determine if their style aligns with your needs. Reviewing their past designs and brand partnerships is a key indicator of a reliable graphic design agency.
Take a look at The Logo Creative's Case Study Portfolio. It's a comprehensive page showcasing the agency's successful projects arranged by logo designs, brand identities, rebrands, logo redesigns, and graphic and web design work. Each category has multiple case studies with a thorough discussion of the challenge, the solution, and the project result.
Additionally, delve into case studies that reveal concrete results. For example, a design agency that significantly increased a client's website click-through rates through a redesign demonstrates its effectiveness.
Technical Skills
In today's tech-driven landscape, graphic design relies heavily on advanced software and tools. When selecting a graphic design agency, these technical skills are paramount:
- Web Design: Proficiency in CSS, HTML, and coding languages like JavaScript for effective web design.
- Graphic Design Software: Mastery of visual content creation tools such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, and Photoshop.
- Typography: Deep knowledge of fonts and typefaces enhancing the visual appeal of text.
- Design Fundamentals: Solid understanding of color theory, composition, balance, and visual hierarchy for effective design.
- UI/UX, Branding, Print: Expertise in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, branding, and print design for diverse solutions.
- Vector Graphics: Skill in vector graphics software like Adobe Illustrator for high-quality, scalable graphics.
- 3D Modeling and Rendering: Proficiency in working with 3D modeling and rendering software, such as 3ds Max and Corona, for creating detailed three-dimensional digital projects. This expertise enables the execution of complex designs and realistic visualizations in various digital contexts.
- Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla for seamless website integration.
- Video Editing and Animation: Proficiency in video editing and animation software for multimedia content creation, including Adobe Premiere and After Effects.
These technical skills collectively equip a graphic design agency to excel in various design projects.
Industry Experience
The more diverse and experienced agency, the better. It's important to know which companies or businesses it has collaborated with. Sometimes, you might come across highly skilled graphic designers, but they need to gain more experience in your specific industry.
For example, if you're a startup, seek a graphic design agency tailored to startups like Digital Uncut. If you're in the B2B industry, opt for a B2B-centric agency like Moburst. A medical graphic design agency like Intrepy is a good choice if you belong to the healthcare sector. For service-oriented businesses like the legal sector, consider agencies like Pentagram, which is esteemed among law firms, showcasing a deep understanding of the industry’s needs.
Choosing an agency with a proven track record in your industry ensures that its designers can enhance your brand identity and message effectiveness. It's a strategic decision that guarantees a meaningful and lasting impact in the marketplace.
Communication and Constructive Criticism
In graphic design, two critical elements are vital for project success: effective communication and embracing constructive criticism.
Effective communication is the cornerstone of any client and design agency project. Both parties need strong listening and comprehension skills. These two points are crucial for several reasons:
- Client Collaboration: Your graphic design agency must understand your vision and brand messaging. They should actively listen and ask the right questions.
- Timely Updates: Effective communication ensures you receive project updates and drafts promptly.
- Feedback Integration: The agency should be receptive to your feedback.
Ideas and designs thrive through open and accessible communication channels, making agencies with these qualities the optimal choice.
In the creative process, accepting constructive criticism is equally indispensable. Graphic design often requires revisions, rework, and modifications. Only some initial designs are a hit; some ideas need fine-tuning, irrespective of the designer's skills.
A good agency knows how to handle criticism and feedback gracefully. It accepts client-requested changes and incorporates them without offense. This adaptability and responsiveness to feedback are hallmarks of top-notch designers.
Pricing
Cost is a crucial consideration when choosing a design agency. Budget constraints are a reality, but don't make it your sole focus. Balance cost-effectiveness with quality. Here's what to consider:
- Transparency: Seek agencies with clear pricing structures and avoid those with hidden fees or vague cost breakdowns.
- Value for Money: Examine past work to ensure their pricing matches the quality of their designs. For example, if a web design agency charges more but delivers high-converting designs that boost your ROI, it's a wise investment.
- Scalability: Think long-term. A design agency offering scalable pricing can handle your expanding marketing needs without steep cost increases.
- Package Customization: Some agencies offer flexible packages. You might start with a base fee for a logo and add extras like social media graphics or brochures as needed.
- Industry Standards: Understand industry-specific pricing norms. Resources like the Graphic Artists Guild offer insights into standard rates for various design services.
- Negotiation: Don't be afraid to negotiate; many agencies are open to discussions and may offer discounts, particularly for long-term contracts.
- ROI Analysis: Remember, it's not just about upfront cost but the return on investment. A lower-priced agency may cost more if its designs fail to yield results in the long run.
Navigating Your Decision: Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Graphic Design Agency
Savvy digital marketers, discerning marketing managers, and astute business owners understand the importance of a strategic partnership with a graphic design agency. To guide your selection process, consider the following questions:
Experience Matters
- How long have you been in business?
- What's your level of experience in the field?
- Can you provide examples of your work and portfolio to demonstrate your expertise?
Industry Relevance
- Have you worked with clients in my specific industry or a similar one?
- Can you show me relevant projects you've handled?
Ownership of Artwork
- What is the ownership arrangement for the design work upon completion?
Software Proficiency
- Which design software and design tools are you proficient with?
- Do you use industry-standard software for design projects?
Efficient Timelines
- What is the typical timeline for completing a design project?
- Can you provide a detailed proposal outlining the project's start-to-finish timeline?
Designer Transparency
- Who will be working on my project?
- Do you have an in-house team, or do you outsource your designers?
- Can you share their portfolio and their track record with deadlines?
Sustaining Creativity
- How do your designers stay creative?
- How do you ensure your designs remain fresh and aligned with market demands?
Revisions and Changes
- What is your policy regarding revisions and change requests?
- Do you have a minimum change order or any additional charges for revisions?
Project Deliverables
- What file types do you recommend for archiving and future use?
- What training or instructions will you provide regarding source files?
Final Thoughts
There you have it, our picks for the top graphic design agencies in the industry right now — and bonus insights on what to look for in a graphic design agency. No matter what you're looking for, these agencies have your graphic design needs covered, and most can offer you a complete marketing experience to get great results. If you're interested in building a cohesive, branded experience for your customers, the graphic design agencies on this list can make it happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a graphic design agency do?
A graphic design agency creates visual content, like logos, brochures, websites, and marketing materials, to enhance brands and connect businesses with their audience.
What is the biggest design agency in the world?
Pentagram is the world's largest independently owned design studio, with equal ownership and management shared among its 24 partners.
Can you name some of the top graphic design agencies in London?
You can, for example, check out Charlie Smith Design or Pearlfisher. Charlie Smith Design boasts 20 years of experience and offers a wide range of graphic design services that include book design, packaging, and identity design. Pearlfisher is an independent graphic design agency with offices in London and boasts over 30 years of experience. Their team can help brands connect with the changing desires and needs and bring their ideas to life through experiences.
Can you name some of the best graphic design agencies in New York?
You can, for example, look at Starfish and Happy Cog. Starfish is an independent branding agency that can help you build, deliver, and maintain your brand experience. Its services include marketing, consulting, advertising, and branding. Meanwhile, Happy Cog is a full-service digital agency that offers design, analytics, optimization, marketing, and promotion.
Can you name some of the top graphic design agencies for smaller businesses?
2Novas and BMG Media Co. are two of the top graphic design agencies that regularly work with smaller businesses. While 2Novas concentrates mainly on digital advertising and video, it boasts a skilled graphic design team that can take care of daily graphic design needs like fliers, banners, Facebook post graphics, and brochures. BMG Media Co. boasts more than 10 years of experience and works with different industries such as real estate, healthcare and restaurants. In addition to graphic design, they also offer content management.
Are there any good graphic design agencies in Chicago?
Some of Chicago’s excellent graphic design agencies include Leo Burnett, ArtVersion®, and VerdanaBold. Leo Burnett is among America’s pioneer graphic design agencies. The multi-awarded firm continues to set a high bar for itself using an internal evaluation system called the "7+ HumanKind GPC Scale." Meanwhile, ArtVersion is another seasoned design studio whose UX/UI bent has pleased startups, Fortune 500 firms, and awards bodies. VerdanaBold is a smaller and younger—formed in 2016—agency, specializing in graphic design for presentation documents.
