Lounge Lizard
Top web design and development firm. Specializes in online marketing.
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High-end web design, SEO and e-commerce with award winning results.
247 is creative and technical development studio with a rather atypical structure; they are an open company of talented designers and programmers forming a collective, sharing projects and ideas. This in turn leads them to create work for an eclectic group of clients. This freedom to explore what they like leads to some immersive and powerful results for webdesign, multimedia and crossmedia productions. To sum up in a few words? Their Flash sites totally rock.... More
An award-winning music video and commercial director, Adam has created videos for Beck, Interpol, The Stills, and many others. He is also a renowned graphic designer, covering motion graphics, interactive, print, branding and installations design. A complete creative director of the modern age.... More
Our dear Adam Larson is an award winning designer from Boston, MA, who has worked full-time for Rykodisc, Razorfish, Toth Brand Imaging and Arnold Worldwide. When he left Arnold, where he was a Vice President, Creative Director, in December of 2007, he started up this self-titled design and illustration studio... which nicely translates into "A Damn Company". Sure, that is cute, and all... but it really should be called "Damn Nice Work". Period.... More
Agency is a techno-Cinderella sort of story; it began in a humble back room in New York in 1995, and now has a solid and still growing blue-chip client base. Their web site touts the firm's broad-based conceptual approach, which means you'll get all the buzzwords, from "user-centric approaches" to "templating, workflow and deployment." But besides the talk, Agency really outdoes itself each year, having gone public and back to private again, surviving the bursting bubble, and yet they still gain recognition after 10 years in the interactive biz... Undeniably, Agency.com has the goods and the act to prove it.... More
AKQA is a long-running global interactive agency, which in 2005 was awarded the distinction as the first-ever Interactive Agency of the Year from Advertising Age Magazine. AKQA maintains this distinction by keeping in step with the evolving marketing plans of large companies and their never-ending quest to expand their online presence with new technologies and interactive promotional strategies. From Interactive TV advertising to the secretive design of the XBOX 360 Interface, AKQA - now one of the 7 largest advertising agencies - is truly a firm that keeps pace with their clients by developing for the future of Interactive marketing and advertising.... More
Like a select few other "top design agents", graffiti piqued this typographers interest in letterforms, color and composition. Studying graphic design - at Cranbrook, no less - would add the final layer of understanding to complete the "circle of vision" and enhance his craft. Sure, natural talents are obviously in the mix too, as can be seen in Arjen's powerful print, interactive, identity and typography work. To us, he's an icon in the design world... and if you don't believe, he'll make one for you to prove us right.... More
Attik is a top notch full-service design company based in San Francisco with a great looking site, and a strong independent background (they are the designers behind all the famed NoiseLab books). Their current brand image is build around being "brand engineers", which we suppose could mean that they construct their branding work using a very technical, scientific, and methodical approach. But does that mean that they squeeze all of the emotion out of their work? Au contraire! It means they're developed the best methods to squeeze all the emotion and impact to the front of their work.... More
An interdisciplinary agency of communicators, designers, engineers and architects. Creating signage, corporate communications and exhibitions. This international office has garnered over 120 awards for their work. Fantastic typography, identity, and print design.... More
B-Reel is a Swedish full motion and interactive design company that puts the activity in creativity. As implied by their name, they do motion design, commercials and on-air promos, but they also have been in the business of crafting cutting-edge web experiences since 1999. Much of their work is for home-based Swedish clients, but rest assured, even if you don't know the language or the clients, it all shines with top-notch multimedia interactivity.... More
Behavior employs extensive strategic consulting to produce great user experience designs for the online medium. Their focus is on interactive solutions for business and culture. Great client list and work showcase.... More
Belle & Wissell, Co. is an award-winning design studio that specializes in creating new types of audience experiences - in exhibit spaces, retail environments, and on the Web. Founded by Gabe Kean in 2003 (formerly known as Gabe Kean Design), the studio focuses on content creation, a/v exhibit design, and curatorial services for museums, media companies and retail brands. Belle & Wissell embraces its diverse commissions which include complete exhibits, interactive art installations, retail environments, media kiosks, and online experiences.... More
Remember the days when films just had posters and maybe a trailer or two? Big Spaceship was one of the firms to change that. These guys are behind the websites of many of the major Hollywood films you've seen recently. We love visiting websites for movies—especially when the website is better than the movie itself. (Catwoman, we're looking your way.) But that's not where the Big Spaceship stops. They've also produced cutting edge Flash sites for Nike and Coca-Cola... well, you ask; "who hasn't?" That's true... but at least they're not one-trick-Hollywood-ponys.... More
Where popular culture and urban street art meet is where you will find Bill McMullen, a New York design talent who got his start putting together club and show flyers while he was in school in San Diego, California. Here, at his portfolio, you will find an eclectic mix of mashed-up street art, pop culture, apparel and graphic design. Previously designing hip-hop albums at Def Jam's design subsidiary "The Drawing Board" for three years, Bill more recently has been out on his own pursuing other projects like his SwishNYC label and his own art. McMullen's clients include Beastie Boys, Adidas, Criterion Collection and MTV, as well as his own projects like t-shirts, limited edition jewelry, and the vinyl 'Shuttlemax' toy with KidRobot. Of all the "mash-ups," one of our favorites is the shell-top Adidas/AD-AT from Star Wars. Bill is currently (2007) working for Burton and Adidas.... More
Originally established in 2001 by Michael C. Place, Build is a print design studio focused on the creative process... And sticking to their creative guns, they have forged an international reputation as a forward-thinking graphic studio. They have an exceptional eye for detail, typography, and high quality printing techniques. Their inspirational sense of style transcends popular trends, taking us beyond graphic design, and into the realm of artistry.... More
A nice creative site for a Candian online media company whose work focuses on professional sites with high-end video integration. We quite liked their overall site which integrates brisk copy with a strong visual slideshow that unspools like a long reel of work. It's also worth checking out their company profile pages that have taken some commonplace ideas (such as the in-house web cam) to the next level. After all, they bill themselves as an "ideas studio", and this site definitely stands on its own as quite a creative accomplishment.... More
Canary is a small studio with big agency experience. Its collective members have produced work for many Fortune 500 companies in the past and they bring that knowledge to bear in a refreshingly small studio approach. Their philosophy is simple... and exactly that... they revel in simplicity and in the love of their work. To that end, they produce very professional designs, brand expressions and digital narratives. Fantastic looking site with solid portfolio projects.... More
Since 1998, Christian has proved himself across a varied range of disciplines, from identity design, branding, motion graphics, user interfaces and online communication. His work has been published numerous times, and he has also received several online awards. We found his work to successfully and artfully accomplish the goal of completing beautiful designs across several different media - which is a very desirable skill to have today. Christian is based in Dusseldorf, Germany.... More
Where would web designers be today without Clement Mok? Certainly a little less rich for experience to draw upon. Clement Mok has a fathoms deep reference of projects spanning from his days as a former creative director at Apple, and continuing on as he founded multiple successful design-related businesses — Studio Archetype, CMCD and NetObjects. Most recently he was the Chief Creative Officer of Sapient, and the president of AIGA. Put those feathers in your cap, and combine it with hundreds of design awards and success consulting on numerous technical, design and online related businesses, and you have a one of a kind visionary and digital pioneer. Even... and especially today, we owe a hats off to you, C. Mok!... More
True or False: Art directors are a dime a dozen? Well, definitely FALSE when you see it from where we are sitting. From things printed, to animated to interactive, we were pleasantly surprised to see the wealth of work in this single designers' portfolio. His selected works show a sure command of multiple medias, and the work itself is bold, clean, professional and comes with just the right touch of tongue-in-cheek playfulness to make this one superbly rounded indy designer... err... art directors portfolio. Impressive.... More
Cobra Creative is a boutique agency located in San Francisco, California. They have a strong understanding of many different design 'styles' - from illustration to branding, modern web design, motion, and more. Although essentilly a husband and wife design duo, Cobra reacts like a full agency in their ability to coordinate and work with both clients, agencies and technology to create complete professional solutions. We like their edgy style that neither trips into the trendy, nor the abstract - ensuring their designs stand the test of time.... More
createthe group is the leading full-service interactive agency with a niche approach to luxury, fashion and retail brands. They are the online experts at delivering effective and creative interactive solutions for the fashion world: world class brand and e-commerce websites, strategic online marketing campaigns and cutting edge technology tools. When it comes to developing the best Flash sites for the luxury market, createthe group – with offices in New York, Milan and London – provides highly visual, functional and often, gorgeous solutions.... More
It could never be sufficient in this small space to sum up the cornucopia of invitation design and print work done by Marc Friedland and his recent off-spring; the Creative Intelligence studio. He is literally the King of Invites—a one-of-a-kind, single-minded artist working in the field of invitations, who can boast over 2,000,000 invitations created over 20 years... And we're talking quality AND quantity here. In fact there's a 13 minute video depicting his design history that is actually pretty interesting. Yes, he's a happy fellow, because invitation are his business – and the site exudes that cheery, bright, glitzy, Hollywood feel, with just the right amount of restraint. If you are interested (at all) in print design, event branding and invitations then this is all old news to you... but if you haven't, well then... meet your invitation design royalty.... More
Critical Mass's full-bleed, animated portfolio captures the full-on sizzle of professional portfolio site. Released in early 2008, this site is still making waves in agency circles, and will probably be one of the more emulated portfolio designs before the end of the year... Of course, it helps to have an established list of high-end clients, but it's amazing how far a cool redesign with large scale photos, and some magic Flash pixie dust, can go towards making a firm look hip and desirable (Hint: check out the previous portfolio design). Very slick upgraded site for this USA, UK and Canadian-based interactive firm.... More
"David Carson continues to be one of the world's most distinctive typographic voices-- much imitated, but never matched," - Ellen Lupton. Well, we'd have to say that about sums it up in a nutshell. The typographic wizard himself has a site where you can explore a lifetime of showcase studies and keep tabs on the man. Most recently at this re-write, we are eagerly following the release of his latest graphic design book, titled Trek.... More
DED Associates is an international design agency. Its output is diverse, crossing print, film, websites and other visual media and featuring commissions from clients in business, publishing and the arts, as well as self-initiated projects. Founded by Jon and Nik Daughtry in 1991, DED pursues its own, ultra-contemporary path in design. Quirky graphics and typo-manipulation are product du jour – well done and expressively crisp – like the best lemonade you’ve ever had, served in a dirty glass.... More
Distant Station is the very hot branding and design portfolio of Scott Devendorf. From clean typographic choices and bold colors, to unique identities and very pleasant web site design, Scott brings the design hammer down with a light touch that parlays into very sophisticated and accessible modern designs. Inspiring... and aspiring work.... More
Domani is a full-service interactive agency specializing in branding, design and technology innovations for powerhouse creative agencies and high-end clients in the luxury, fashion, and travel and tourism industries. Domani has a very clean site that demonstrates their projects in a very accessible way - and we especially liked their interactive web banner ad campaigns for Mini-Cooper and VW. From marketing to branding to technology, if one could sum it up in a sentence, Domani Studios creates dope work that gets results for dope clients. But that would be slighting them... however only slightly. In essence, they are a laid back, fun firm that pumps out engaging and professional online work.... More
dotglu is the online marketing and interactive arm of kpb (kirshenbaum bond + partners). Focusing on the brand and customer relationships, dotglu takes the agency approach to the web, and creates comprehensive campaigns that effectively fuse print marketing and online media.... More
Oh how sweet it is! Sublime design presented in a fun and distinctive format. The introduction to this Spanish company is a playful example of the technological skills that have earned this firm the numerous awards that bounce across their intro page. The expertly planned and yet seemingly spontaneous works section holds a collection of unique web and print designs ranging from logotype to TV commercials with only one consistency – superb execution. In layman’s terms… They rock.... More
When push comes to shove, go old school: forget the hype, and think craftsmanship. Wise words from 'old school' designers e-Types, the self-described experts of visual identity programmes. e-Types, known for its typography, have developed more than 200 different fonts for logos, typography, guidelines for visual designs, magazine and newspaper design, web design and packaging design. A bit mysterious, but very serious about their graphic design, this Danish firm takes branding to new heights of sophistication, by using old school philosophy of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Much to explore and learn from here.... More
The fabulous portfolio of a prolific designer. Mostly collages and mixed media designs. A very talented and tasteful illustrator. His personal portfolio is Misprinted Type (link). Gorgeous eye candy and illustrated compositions.... More
A very sublime and classic Chicago design firm made up of a small team of three founders. This beautiful dynamically driven portfolio site really allows their print, interactive and identity design to shine and we loved the crisp and minimal graphic design they produce for their clients. Highly professional work like this really makes our mouths water. Kudos!... More
Firstborn does really lovely, effective work that isn't limited to websites—they reach all the way to the relatively antique advertising method known as printing brochures. You know, the kind of thing that uses paper? Check out their website for more info on who they are, what they do, why you'd want to work with them, etc. You'll join an impressive, eclectic bunch: Bacardi, Calvin Klein, Madonna, Columbia University. Sounds like a great party.... More
How do you sum up a company like Fitch? For over 30 years, with 20 studios in 12 countries, Fitch is a true globe-trotter with an extraordinary range of design capabilities. Their online home base is a powerhouse worth an extended visit. Projects range fom developing an Automatic Public Toilet with a self-cleaning floor (for Adshel) to an award-winning recruitment film for the British Army to the packaging design for Ben&Jerry's.... More
These guys are just plain cool – they have the product and they aren’t afraid to make a song & dance of it – literally. Websites, video, audio (their favorite media/pastime), a dash of print and a liberal sprinkling of branding over all. It’s also worth mentioning that the products are styled to suit the individual clients. Stick a Fork in it – it’s done.... More
Futurefarmers is cultivating your consciousness with a bevy of animated critters, wry humor, and a brand that has propelled founder Amy Franceschini to designer stardom. It has also captured such clients as Adobe, The New York Times, Swatch, and a creative cache of hip San Francisco galleries. The web site sports an impressive corporate portfolio and an array of visual stimuli, "for-fun" projects, and web dramas. The latter range from "Deface the President" to a Kosovo Elf shoot 'em up game. The firm's fascinating book, Harvest, is available for purchase, too. These folks never sleep... and we want some o' what they use!... More
One of the premiere web design firms and Flash developers in Brazil—Grafikonstruct specializes in the design of Flash-powered sites for the fashion industry and other purveryors of style. These are the guys to go to if you want to engage your audience with sophisticaed graphics and interactive sites... Our only critique was the awkwardness of their site—in the quest to make an uber-Flashy showcase, they lost sight of usability and the power of basic copy. In the end, the work speaks for itself, and until they redesign, the latest projects are one click away on the homepage.... More
Outstanding in print and music packaging, this firm offers art direction for web and broadcast too. But mostly print for music, art, fashion clients, this work is a notch above the rest. Recognized by Print, ID and the Smithsonian Institute.... More
In the world of online freelance designers Jorge Calleja's portfolio stands tall as tour-de-force in interactive Flash, 3D design and motion graphics. His work for some of the top new media firms like Juxt, Exoplolis and Group W consists of only the cream of the crop projects. Apparently, whatever this proudly Mexican designer/artist gets his hands on, turns into bright, multimedia gold.... More
Hello Design doesn't present a box overflowing with bells and whistles, but who needs them when your works is as clean and accessible as this? They do have a list of impressive clients, SONY, National Geographic, The Smithsonian, Neutrogena, and others among them, and it also has a hand in AIWA TV. Say "Hello" to great design. Pull up a seat and sit a spell.... More
Hello indeed. And what a welcome! Hello Hikimori is a tight-knit French design studio focusing on "global new media design". As you might expect, this means mostly web, print and motion design, and includes everything from a luxury cosmetics site to designer t-shirts. For a two person studio, HKI pumps out some really amazing print work. But what really struck us is the inspiring Flash-based design of their portfolio. The site establishes a new paradigm for interaction by mimicking a browser, with a right scroller, yet throws in some really sexy details. It's really fun to play with, very sticky, and we predict that this type of design will be copied by many other companies in the future. Truly novel thinking and interaction that sets the bar higher for all portfolio websites to come.... More
Hellllo Monday! Welcome to a new week, and a new start with this pure creative agency with a strong line of professional digital and analogue work. Designing for some of the top clients in the industry, and based in New York, Copenhagen and Aarhus (first time we heard of that city too), Hello Monday is an awarded agency that focuses on web design, demos, print and identity design. We especially liked their featured work for Lego and Google... and overall, their portfolio from top to bottom is showcase of highly polished work.... More
The sites of hi-res! are truly multisensory explorations, immersing you somewhere between experimental web art and a fantastic dream. The rich worlds they create encourage both personal interaction and unique interpretation. This firm's site and portfolio are constantly in a state of innovation. This brings us big grins and makes our hearts go boom-boom-boom.... More
HUGE has been the central planning and product definition hub for some of the largest and most complex projects online. This includes brand, technology and design for clients such as JetBlue, IKEA and AOL. Ultimately, this has led to a whole different kind of agency culture. Simply banging out seductive visual design doesn’t count as a job well done here. It's all part of a meta-process and management culture. We like the philosopy, and the results speak for themselves.... More
Definitely one of the more exceptional portfolios of 2007, from top to bottom it will surely blow you away with high quality design. Originally a Film & Animation student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, John Slabyk shines brightest when creating identity and logo designs. But, as you could guess, he also produces high-impact motion designs, print, sports-team logos, and just some of the crispiest websites around. We could spend a few days in here disecting this marvel of work... but we could never, ever imitate it.... More
Very refreshing and larger than life, this full-on Flash portfolio is the home of multidiscipliary designer Nessim Higson. Multidisciplinary; that means he rocks at print as much as he does at new media work... and typography, and t-shirts, and posters, and identities, and well... pretty much everything! All the work is really progressive, using hand-drawn fonts and type—some with collage assembly, but some with clean and contemporary designs that are sophisticated, yet bursting with color and composition. We really enjoy this innovative, unique and randomized presentation.... More
Founded in 1987, IconNicholson (at the time, NicholsonNY) was the first big interactive agency in New York City. Today, the firm is part of the larger IconMedialab umbrella which also includes Lost Boys and Metadesign. Among their many interactive ventures, their offerings also include in-store services for the new Manhattan Prada (with Rem Koolhaas), an online store for the Museum of Modern Art, and the Rebirth Project—tracking the ongoing reconstruction at Ground Zero. A solid new media and interactive design firm.... More
A strong graphic design boutique, specializing in urban prints and graffiti inspired illustrations. Great work for from poster work and t-shirts for Nike to environment billboards for Pepsi. From large scale, to small... A great team of graphic design innovators.... More
Ladies and Gentleman, Digitalthread is pleased to present, The Big Boys. With offices peppered over Europe, Asia and North America, strategic location is merely a hint at the skills this communication catch-all holds. Indulge us for a moment, you're a corporation looking for some design firepower and we're a wise-guy reviewer. You want brand experience events and environments? Check. New media presentations for financial roadshows? Check. Perhaps, film, websites, live performance or even interior design? Check, check, check, check. You get the point? The projects are as impressive as the client list - but we have the sneaky suspicion they don't do missing dog flyers. (Snobs.)... More
In2media was Denmarks first web agency, starting in 1994, and the experience really shows... The site, which uses dynamic flash with motion graphics to show selected portfolio pieces feels like it took over ten years of experimentation to realize... It's that good! Honestly, the portfolio - which also has a mouse and keyboard friendly navigation - just feels refined and considered to such a degree that you just know their work is going to be top notch. And we were proven right, as the showcase pieces - from motion, to web and digital advertising, also display an highly tuned and professional finishing that we've come to expect from only a few select firms. Lots of nice projects for the fashion industry, and some nice little surprises await inside.... More
Contrary to initial impressions, IOWA is actually located in the heart of sea-side California, near Marina Del Rey. They specialize in identity design, DVD/CD-Roms and they seem especially proficient in creating clean, uncluttered web site designs for their clients... usually in Flash... and usually for the advertising agencies, marketing firms and audio designers who are too busy making their own magic to bother with making their own web sites... And who would bother anyway, when you have these pros on your team?... More
Merging both classicly informed styles and new conceptual work, Jonathan Harris is a new breed of modern day artist working primarily on the Internet. His creative work involves the study and understanding of humans through the artifacts we leave behind on the Web. Harris has explored these ideas in such projects as 10x10, WordCount, Understanding Vorn, and justcurio.us—while his commercial work centers around strong identity work and branding. Originally from northern Vermont, Harris now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Explore openly, read critically, and 'njoy thoroughly.... More
An impressive portfolio, with an immersive, interactive, illustrated interface, from a Malaysian individual who integrates Far-Eastern and Western design influences. Enough alliterations already? We're just getting warmed up. This splendid designer from Singapore splashes the waters with his subtle brush, which reveals a subdued, but sophisticated style. Don't be shy! Just dive into the deep waters of this dynamic portfolio to discover some very distinctive identity designs.... More
Really sharp portfolio of work from an upcoming industrial and interactive designer. Really great and simple site layout shows just enough to tease, and comes loaded heavy with project details if you want more. From sketches, to an amazing student-based mobile platform design, this is a true talent with a portfolio that will not disappoint.... More
Whether it be communication design, corporate campaigns, film, book design or stamps, Jung and Pfeffer (a small firm of about 10 people and two offices) is one of the top graphic design firms in Bremen and Amsterdam. This well-awarded agency has talent, smarts and great graphic design work under its belt... as they should, since both of the partners are professors of design (Eckhard Jung - visual design at HfG, Karlsruhe, and Florian Pfeffer - communication design at College of Art, Bremen). They delicately and professionally treat each one of their projects as "treasures", and the output shows a rich and refined graphic and contemporary sensibility that looks to the future at every opportunity. Great work.... More
In this version of Juxt Interactive's site, or of their many refined Flash projects, it's obvious there is a meticulous attention to detail—and, hence, design. Which is probably why, year-after-year, we list a hefty postion of their portfolio in our webdesign gallery. Whether you seek web design or Juxt's individual brand of art, you'll find high quality, awarded, fun Flash design and interactive promotions. Great stuff. Again: Great. Stuff.... More
One of the more impressive sites and portfolios we've seen from a design agency in a while, KentLyons is a specialist in print and identity campaings that demand clean typography and classic, modern graphic interpretations. They are no slouches at interactive web design either, but their style in collateral and print campaigns are definitely their shining beacon. Solid, clean, minimal and exceptional.... More
Kind Company is a tidy operation, consisting of a small group of independent web and print designers in an office in Brooklyn, New York. From art galleries to non-profit associations, restaurants to retailers, and many local business in NYC, they have executed some highly impressive logo designs, print, and identities using highly refined typographic and typesetting skills. There's a lot to love about their work.... More
In the work and not work of Chris Erickson, we don't find a lot not to love... (pause, absorb). Yes, his work is really nice. And we totally dig the compressed minimalist Flash UI—it gives us a very easy framework from which to view a showcase of his print, identity, packaging and industrial design talents. Set into a grey background, the web and print projects really pop, yet they all still fit snugly on a laptop screen. Now, getting back to the work, it's important that you also don't sleep on the "not work" (play) which unveils a compassionate and down-to-earth side to this talented multimedia designer. Great stuff there, not here.... More
Knowawall puts together content with imaginative technical aspects to create refined digital online experiences. Mostly specializing in portfolio sites for professional photographers and architects, their navigation schemes are simple and solid... And because Knowawall puts extra effort, energy and knowledge into each web site they build, you always get something unique. They often build in content management or e-commerce into their Flash sites... going the extra mile so there is always more than meets the eye... Geez. Just like little know-it-alls.... More
Kudos to Mr. Kyle Meyer, who is a young and upcoming web designer with a promising future in the industry. His work (and play) projects have an outstanding level of refinement and polish to them. The work is clean, minimal and well organized, and the typography is simple and effective. There's not really much else to desire, is there?... More
The online home of Less Rain is energized by all the rich media you could name. It's a powerhouse of design prototypes, which is especially impressive from such a small company. Less Rain has a particular ethos: "making a few design elements work more intelligently, unusually, and organically." Their portfolio is a rich compendium of web works for clients like Red Bull and Hennessy, but offline works include the world's largest victory monument for the Nike Scorpion Football Event. This firm can do anything. Anything.... More
LB (Lost Boys) cranks out award-winning business solutions, such as website make-overs and fully interactive retail sales enhancements, as if it were child's play. They also supply a little cutting-edge technology, in case the world-class design and usability gets tedious. These magic tricks include things like real-time inventory checks by sales associates, and then there's the dressing room touchscreens for adding products to a personalized profile... and that's just a sampling of some their abilities.... More
This top-of-the-froth design firm has recently (and finally) updated its website. Now we can all discover how MCD, working across a wide spectrum of clients, is known for its smart, clear thinking and precise design execution. If you really want the scoop, and you're on their insider list, they put together a entire graphic design book of their work almost every year - an impressive portfolio for a company that really flies under the radar.... More
Make is a freshly established design studio with 'cohesive experience' in the creation of visual solutions. Essentially a professional studio run by two natural talents, Make creates visual identities and packaging solutions across multiple medias that introduce new concepts or products to market while maintaining smart design and a fresh approach. That approach that has crafted some of the more memorable software packaging designs in recent years, and build an impressive client list. Simple and solid work that speaks for itself.... More
You know you've stumbled onto something special when you sense a light breeze tickling your screen. Very sensuous, slightly feminine, and with a clearly Eastern influence, MAP (previously DesignUnion, est. 2002) is a relatively new boutique with impressive and sophisticated clients. Paul Lee is the man; he majored in Rhetoric at Berkeley (who knew that would prove so marketable?), with an MFA from Yale. A bonus: he is fluent in Korean. And more than fluent in spare and lovely design. Go see. You'll feel rinsed.... More
When it boils down to the science of branding, design systems and business strategy, there are few that hold a torch up to bright light that is MetaDesign. Stationed in San Francisco, Meta eats, sleeps and breathes clean, pure and practical design systems. From the ground up, or laterally and vertically, MetaDesign helps moves business into the future through top notch branding. Excellent company site (since last time that we looked), with a very minimal, and close-to-the-vest portfolio.... More
When you're doing work for the premiere graphic design/multimedia software companies, you gotta have the skills to push their software to the limits... so it's no surprise that Method has top of their class portfolio that includes a variety of big names in addition to Adobe and Macromedia. Their other clients range from the artistic (Lincoln Film Society) to the corporate (Merril Lynch), and they cover everything from website design and branding to printing and user research. One-stop shopping, right here.... More
Dreaming Everyday About Design, the portfolio of Mike Kus, gives us a wide sampling of "big print" style web design. Contained in the UK-based portfolio is an outstanding example of framework-breaking, large scale, and full screen design work that catches the eye, and uses the full scale of web and print media with typographic finesse. A very inspirational merger of traditional and modern styles making a large scale impact.... More
Mook is a very visually driven creative digital consultancy based in the UK. Their work revolves around digital communications, be it advertising, marketing or technology... and the results are quite powerful. Even their home site runs like a series of ads for a number of top products - from Diesel to PSP, mook has their finger on the pulse of digital media and invigorates it with new ideas from a powerful team of creative specialists.... More
Famous across Asia and the West for her analog music videos, art and creative direction, Nagi Noda recently passed away at age 35 from complications after a car accident. Her work brought her from Japan to NY, most recently being signed to Partizan as a music video and commercial director. Her avant garde explorations in the digital and analog mediums were as powerful and symbolically rich in metaphor, as in their impact. Here are some more links: A news article, A fashion video, Her fashion line, A short film.... More
What do you get when creativity and marketing are blended, watered, nurtured and harvested at its prime? At odopod – a strong Flash design and UI innovation studio in the San Francisco area – the product is highly artistic, merging illustration, animation and clean interface design to create a perfect modern mash-up of storytelling and functional usability. Working mostly in Flash, their bread and butter is a slew of work for Nike, creating many of their "yo-factor" sports websites. Hip, current, media and technology savvy—the sky's the limit for this medium-sized firm.... More
As one of the few large firms that survived the iBubble (as we like to call it), Organic has shown how adapting and changing into a full service digital media firm can be successful, given the right environment. Their work these days is focused largely on the auto industry with development of Jeep and Dodge sites coming from their strong relationship with DaimlerChrysler (as of this posting). But with 5 offices in the USA and Canada, Organic is a big presence in the world of online media—and with unique marketing advancements like their "persona rooms" and "experience labs", they continue to lead, not only in experience, but with their branding "experiences".... More
Shining, and sparking, and shaded, and every thing nice, Paul Lee's design come across with a futuristic twist and a silver touch. Chock-full of great examples, this portfolio shows a wide range of modern, colorful and fun designs and illustrations for web, interface, and interactive projects. Great looking eye candy here.... More
Paul Snowden is our kind of designer... A true designer for the new millenium. So, forget what you know and enter a world where design is based around simple shapes, complex ideas and good solutions. Be sure to check out the various projects - there are bold type solutions and a theme of strong graphic attitude that runs through his work. And that's what's cool to us.... More
Independent creative designers with offices in London and New York. Focused on fashion, but branching out through solid relationships and referrals. Great sites and Flash designs, produced with passion. One of UK's fastest growing agencies.... More
PS is a new media firm with a solid swath of projects from identity design to web and print that shows their dedication to the big picture and passion for the creative details. They are dreamers of sorts, and appropriately their work hits the artistic side of the client base, with projects for architecture firms, design schools, advertising agencies, as well as e-commerce for other creatives who want to sell their products. Their philosophy speaks volumes, and the results speak for themselves.... More
An award-winning interactive design firm based in Paris, France, Publicis creates strong visually-driven online sites with an advertising slant. Balancing between being both edgy, yet classic at the same time, Publicis provides that refined corporate feel with a large pinch of verve that attracts big clients. Especially those who want their brands to stand out from the crowd in the online market. Outstanding portfolio from an impressive looking French web design firm.... More
These guys have been playing the digital branding game since 1992. They use words like "segmentation," "methodology," and (our favorite) "solutions," and talk about things like "work flow" and "implementation"... but what it all boils down to is that they are a very technology savvy firm. They have a winning roster of corporate websites and advertising campaigns, for clients ranging from IBM to Bed, Bath And Beyond. If you dig a little deeper into their site, you'll learn that before they got into online material, they pioneered motion graphic technology for films like Superman and Alien. Currently, their showcase work (and largest exclusive client) is the interactive Nike+ site for runners.... More
Brazilian designers have all the fun, it seems! Not only do they live in a vibrant and passionate country, but they get to translate that colorful love into their design projects. Ricardo is no exception... he is the rule. Working across many mini and "hot-sites", games and Flash sites, Mr. Landim creates immersive experience designs that always have a rich, vibrant, conceptual edge. Plus, his portfolio is so completely thorough, you never even need leave to view the actual sites.... More
Renowned as one of the top creative typographers in the design business, Stephen Sagmesiter's self-named firm and online portfolio is (as usual for the boundary breaking artist) a site with a twist. Dive right in and enjoy his unique takes on branding, identity design, and the manipulation of letter forms. Cool type, new ideas and big buttons... Yes!... More
Trail-blazing through dense tumbleweeds of misinformation and a world or irrelevant marketing, Sapient is a trim, efficient machine. The company aims to “have great wisdom and discernment," and continue to nourish fine talent. Once the leader of the web design pack, this company would probably be the best source of classic corporate web sites today if the bubble hadn’t burst. They continue to aim high with large scale branding and business strategy design for high-end clients in energy & utilities, financial services, hospitality, and entertainment industries.... More
Sarkissian Mason is an accomplished full service media agency with three offices across USA. Establised in 1998, SM's big clients (at the moment of this posting) are Mazda and Boeing, for whom they've conceived video-rich, innovative online promotions—featuring some pretty slick technological additions. Additionally their new full-screen video portfolio works pretty well; it's clean and easy to use above all else. In the end, this is a well-awarded and respected firm whose work is constantly pushing technological barriers, so we look forward to featuring some of their sites in our Webgallery in the years to come.... More
Schematic is a top agency who value their success in their ability to be cross-disciplinary, and by excelling equally at a network of interwoven fields. They specialize in everything from strategy to QA, copy writing to design, and technology to user experience. In other words, everything a great agency needs to keep expanding in today's advanced new media marketplace.... More
Over the last decade the Portland-based Second Story team of creatives has developed over 80 award-winning interactive projects for the world's outstanding museums, media and cultural institutions. The designers and architects of such wonders as the AIGA Design Archives — their hallmark style is seeped in graphically rich, yet highly-detailed information architecture (IA), where they excel in providing clear and intuitive access to archives and artifacts as well as staging compelling storytelling features for the Web, kiosks and other digital media displays.... More
An interpretive design studio that produces beautiful interactive educational experiences… And they do it well – with a beautifully structured, richly ambient web presence that mirrors the award winning projects they’ve completed. Experts in storytelling and specializing in highly interactive online exhibits built from databases on up, Terra Incognita provides the destination as well as the journey—like public broadcasting 24/7.... More
Okay, you have to admit that Burger King's Subservient Chicken website is a riot. You know the one—the psuedo live video feed of a guy in a chicken suit who will do anything you want? It's hilarious and brilliant (and got over one billion hits), which is why we are excited to learn that barbarian group was the firm behind it. Their entire modus operandi, while exceedingly professional, is to create unique and surprising online advertising. Visit their website. You'll find links to a host of large projects, and not just games... but Flash specialty marketing, hotsites, and online advertising... but also a whole slew of cool online games. Marketing made fun.... More
There's just something we love about this small Seattle based firm. We keep going back to time and time again to marvel at their beautiful and clean design for inspiration. We're sure that this client list must be growing strong since the last posting, and we can't wait to see what else they have been working on recently. Great look. Great work.... More
The collaborative studio of Rick Valicenti - founder of Thirst (1981) and Thirstype (1993) - Thirst/3ST is small collective of designers, typographers, writers, illustrators and programmers with a large span of successful graphic design work. Known for their playful, curious spirit, and intelligent risk-taking, the collective of work could easily fill a few design books. In fact, their portfolio site is a simple digital reference to flipping through large print pages. Very professional images throughout the work, and play, found inside.... More
Tnop Wangsillapakun – the man with one of the most unique names in design – has struck out to make a (new) name for himself... He has truly gone off the deep end and commited himself to focus on his bePOS|+|VE design studio, as well as do more of experimental and conceptual design work that he really enjoys. Formerly a senior designer with Carlos Segura at Segura, Inc. (Chicago), Tnop is originally from Bangkok, Thailand, and was schooled in the States at the Savannah College of Art and Design. His unique work and experimental print designs definitely put him at the forefront of today's contemporary artists and designers.... More
Tolleson Design is a very well rounded studio with strong design values... Their established team creates powerful identity systems, has unique expertise in pushing the boundaries of print manufacturing, and also creates premium product packaging. But it doesn't stop there... Tolleson also creates professional, clean, interactive web sites and even physical environmental designs. Overall an A+ from every angle.... More
Trevor Jackson is a London based creative force who began a convoluted career in music and the arts by designing record sleeves. He currently works in graphic design, art direction, moving image, music writing, remixing, installations and performance arts. In the "design world", he has created many iconic and classic record cover sleeves, bus is also just as well known in the "music world" for his eclectic remixes and his record label OUTPUT, and in turn, he creates most of the artwork for the musical artists on the label. His design artwork has been shown in the Guggenheim Museum.... More
A top notch interactive agency based in Japan, TYO-ID spares no yen in the development of highly immersive online adverts. Their specialty is bringing electronic products to life onscreen interactively, using Flash and refined graphics to create unique, professional virtual experiences. And they work closely with select advertising agencies and worldwide web agencies in creating these designs for products around the globe. These are the creators of Flash designs that reach out and grab you... or in many cases, make you want to reach out and grab what's on the screen.... More
Human centered design and innovation seems to be the obvious direction to take for a planet filled with humans... Right? At U PLEAT, in Korea, designers focus on usability and innovation together, creating artistic and commercial experiences, with a focus on "Human Love". They certainly spared no expense to develop fantastic, professional (production level) portfolio site. A very interesting design agency from Korea, and one to watch.... More
Ultra16 is an interactive multimedia company with offices in NYC and San Francisco. Their strategy is: "Communicate, Relate, Succeed," and underneath each of those headings one can find a specific plan... in fact, their rules are so well honed, they've painted them on the walls in their hallways. Their specialties right now are web design for the media/entertainment and fashion/beauty industries—and this work for clients in the public eye will continue to push Ultra16 into the limelight as they continue to grow.... More
Coming across a great design studio we neglected for years feels like... discovering the account number to a Swiss bank account we forgot existed. The interest is crazy! And these guys are nuts too. Not many agencies in their level produce as much high quality design and illustration work. Based in Barcelona, Spain, Vasava does design, illustration, motion graphics, interactive and exhibitions. Custom typographer Alex Trochut (link) worked there for two years. They also have a gallery in front of their shop called Vallery (link), where they have exhibitions with well known artists like Non-Format, Parra, Rinzen, Mario Hugo, Kozyndan, Emil Kozak, and others! They also edited the 1 x 1: Pixel-Based Illustration & Design book (buy it: $37.96) and the Place Project Book. Most recently they just did the posters and logotype in the latest Gnarls Barkley Video. Ah... Please withdraw one billion dollars!... More
Wolff Olins is clearly and consistently one of the world's most influential branding agencies. Started in 1965 (and now part of Omnicom) they have an impressive client list, and over 180 employees in London and New York (at this posting). In a world of caution and conservatism, they are courting new ideas, and breaking new ground, for new clients. In a time of anxiety and cynicism, they are designing with an optimistic outlook for the world. Excellent work for the London 2012 Olympics, bringing back color, spunk, and new wave freshness. Ripe, clean, colorful, innovative and passionate branding that is positively... positive.... More
Taking their name in part from a quote by a famous science fiction writer, WSDIA (We Should Do It All) is a Brooklyn, New York-based graphic, interactive, and architecture multi-disciplinary design studio. Sticking with that simple theme of diversity, WSDIA designs, develops and mediates interactive, print, motion and architecture projects for clients in a wide array of professions - such as the arts, architecture, advertising, fashion, and media. Truly one to watch, their work has very crisp, and futuristic egde - from the typography choices to the themes and clients, each project rings out with a clean, bright and youthful appeal. Therefore, it's no surprise that WSDIA was recently named to The Art Director’s Club, 'Young Guns 5' for 2006. The future is certainly bright for this talented collective and company who are ready to take on whatever comes their way.... More
Yugo Nakamura is a creative director, designer and engineer exploring various forms of interactive system in digital and networked environment. Exhibited, awarded, and lectured in Asia, U.S.A and Europe.... More
