Hello Monday

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

Also posted under best of breed, usa based firms, international firms, Denmark.

Hello Monday

James Adamé

Newly updated site for an outstanding typographic and motion design kid wonder. James is currently ACD and Head Designer at Arnold Worldwide, so he has a wee bit of street cred. Nice range of work from 3-D to advertising, to typography and illustration.... More

Also posted under usa based portfolios, graphic design, multimedia.

James Adamé

FRANK.

Being FRANK is just a state of mind. It's the same thing with being successful. So, when it comes to integrated advertising, FRANK doesn't mince words. They get directly to creating award-winning work for agencies in the fields of print, marketing, and interactive design. Bold, honest, blunt, and simply FRANK.... More

Also posted under usa based firms.

FRANK.

Studio Grafik

Studio Grafik is the home of Serbian graphic designer Vladimir Mijatovic, who – while working in agency teams – has created some outstanding corporate identity projects. This portfolio has a very minimal, yet large presentation format... And we loved discovering that you can "mouse wheel" up and down through projects. Logos and visual branding are certainly his strong points, and this website showcases his talents beautifully.... More

Also posted under international portfolios, Serbia.

Studio Grafik

Brandwide

Brandwide is an inspiring design firm from Poland that specializes in creating visual identification systems for brands and products. What we really liked the raw minimal look to their site, which gives the allusion to a simple light box or cutting board. In turn, the portfolio samples are surprisingly strong, creating an advantageous contrast between the work and the deconstructed site design. This "undersell" continues on to their marketing, where they say on their site: "Brandwide is competent to offer a good design". Hey, we get it... they're great at what they do, and modest too!... More

Also posted under international firms, multimedia, Poland.

Brandwide

DixonBaxi

Über talented motion design firm based in London founded by two award winning directors, has updated it site from the olden golden... If you've ever turned on a TV, you've seen their work, which has included such wonders as "helping MTV find its balls again" to the on screen graphics of Formula 1 racing sports. Truly, not enough can be said about the work of this duo, and perhaps enough has already been said. Check out the work, and let the images do the talking.... More

Also posted under motion design, tv & branding, United Kingdom.

dixonbaxi

MRA Group

If this is a temporary site (which thay ALL are, aren't they!?) then we're not gonna hold our breath waiting for the full-blown site... Why? Because we can see right through this tongue and cheek attempt to be funny, styling, edgy, and full of attitude. Yep. We're calling you guys on it... 'cause we know there's no plans to make a new site at all! And that's funny part of this branding and advertising firm... they're actually trying to make their site appear incomplete. Kudos for that.... More

MRA Group

FutureBrand

FutureBrand doesn’t ask whether it’s possible or not, but rather how to make the product and how to make it BETTER. And their projects run the entire range from the branding of colossal city projects, to banks, consumer goods and beauty products. With this worldwide, think-tank of a company that caters to clients such as Nissan, Exxon, Dove and DuPont, as well as the Dubai Waterfront project and the Mexican Tourism Board, that super cool thing that we all thought would never come into existence just might!... More

FutureBrand Worldwide

Colle+McVoy

Colle+McVoy, located in the capital of the advertising state (Minneapolis, MN, of course!), is a prime example that you don't have to be a small firm to maintain a quirky, fun, and personable approach to design. In fact, they've made a rather large business out of staying true to "small-studio" style designs, using guerrila and non-traditional marketing as one of their many creative outlets. Great, youthful approach to a site for an ad agency that employs 170 creatives (2007), and was founded in 1935.... More

Colle McVoy

MetaDesign

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

Also posted under best of breed.

MetaDesign

Studio Output

An excellent design portfolio of a print, graphics and identity design firm. Although they do not specialize in web design, they had their friends (AllofUs.org) put together a truly magnificent minimal Flash portfolio that really puts the ideas and work first. Yes, the graphic design campaigns inside are excellent, yet its even easier to appreciate because the site makes you read (and think) a little first, instead of just quick-clicking through everything. Very nice indeed.... More

Also posted under graphic design, United Kingdom.

Studio Output

Tank Design

Is there anything this small studio-style firm cannot do? Tank is an interdisciplinary design group that integrates strategy, design and technology to create memorable and meaningful branding and communications programs. From annual reports to print ads, packaging and web sites, Tank bristles with accomplishments in a wide swath of projects for a number of respected clients.... More

Also posted under usa based firms, multimedia.

Tank Design

Büro North

Büro North is a strong multi-disciplinary design studio that specializes in 2D and 3D graphic design, covering industrial design and signage as well as traditional graphic identity and brand design. With award winning work coming from a very young team, director and founder Soren Luckins is 28 and several staff members fall under the 25 year category... all signs point to Büro North as a hot firm to watch for many years to come.... More

Also posted under graphic design, multimedia, Australia.

Büro North

St.Francis

A gorgeous little website for this Italian multimedia studio, St.Francis uses a very fun connect-the-dots motif to draw us into their portfolio. Their work spans from advertising to web, including print and packaging. We also enjoyed their pattern design area—which in our experience is a very overlooked field of design. Overall, a very nice treat – showing a fun and playful design mind is putting all the right pieces together.... More

Also posted under international firms, multimedia, Italy.

St.Francis

Block Branding

Block is a tight team of 5 Australian designers with different backgrounds who have come together in the belief that "all design is a form of advertising". This allows them to tackle each project as a unique branding opportunity, and create an effect beyond the products' immediate purpose. Great philosophy and solid work from this crew based in Perth, AU.... More

Also posted under international firms, Australia.

Block Branding

mono

Working from the tag line that "the future belongs to the simpleminded", mono is a unique branding and design firm with a minimalist philosophical approach to both process and design. There are no department heads here - only talented professionals - who create powerful, singular voices for their brands. As they say... "Something is lost with every layer added". Yet, to prove or perhaps disprove that, they also created a little something called 'monoface' that makes us say in response... "I see scary people". Funny and smart... hmm.... More

mono

Otherway

Portfolio of Czech design portfolio of designer & art director Miroslav Roubicek. You can see some great cultural work in the forms of posters, stamps and books or ads and design for important Czech and foreign ad agencies. Eitherway, Otherway designs for theatre festivals, logotypes, books, campaign for ad companies, and has it's own unique little flavor for that unique part of Europe.... More

Also posted under international portfolios, Czech Republic.

Otherway

Tolleson Design

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

Also posted under best of breed, usa based firms.

Tolleson Design

Lost Boys Icon

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

Also posted under best of breed, international firms, multimedia, Netherlands, Sweden.

Lost Boys Icon

A Brand Above

A Brand Above is a multi-disciplinary advertising company thats creates some very refined solutions with graphic design, art and creative direction. Based in Vancouver, Canada, A Brand Above has a real strength in crafting outstanding identity and logo designs, which on screen look like finished museum pieces. They also have an ongoing relationship with Wired Magazine illustrating and designing editorial spreads. Cap that off with some nice custom typography design, and you have a firm that really appeals to our inner design child. Jealous we are!... More

Also posted under multimedia, Canada.

A Brand Above

Domani Studios

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

Also posted under best of breed.

Domani Studios

Aegis

Red is the color of passion. And in the website for a branding design firm based in Toronto, Aegis shows us a passion for simplicity and sophistication with a minimal selection of colors and a clearly defined philosophy on design. This passion and depth of experience in design filters down to their work, which largely involves branding and the creation of communications for leading international clients. We really liked the large photo samples in their case-studies which is driven more by copy than by an array of images (the images form the background). It's a nice twist, and a fresh way to deliver the message of this strong branding design company.... More

Also posted under Canada.

Aegis

Make Creative

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

Also posted under best of breed.

Make Creative

AKQA

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

Also posted under best of breed, usa based firms, United Kingdom.

AKQA

Blonk Raphael

We're using an inefficient and crappy American typewriter, and are unable to add the necessary umulet -- you know, those two little dots -- over the e in Raphael's name. Still, we'd never have thought of enlarging the name so that this top half of the letter and the umulet itself turn into an exclaiming smiley-style face. That's the kind of simple and creative design you'll find at this branding firm... or as they put it: 'fresh ideas' that lead to 'winning deals'.... More

Also posted under Netherlands.

Blonk Raphael

studio aka

Construction paper cutouts and ‘primitive’ pen marks run rampant at the studio aka site. Some nice illustrations, but after perusing the sample pages, we have to say, um, "been there, done that." Sure, they've won awards, but if the London based production company doesn’t inject a little variety (and reach out from the UK), their days may be numbered. That being said, they can probably use the ‘singular style’ style for identity recognition, aka "branding."... More

Also posted under illustration, motion design, tv & branding, United Kingdom.

studio aka

Kilter

We're still not sure where Generation X ends and Generation Y begins, but Kilter knows. They specialize in brand experience for Generation Y. Beautiful people, flashy images, sportswear with logos. If you're Generation Y (or if you're Generation X, and want to feel younger)keep an eye out for Kilter's work. They make stuff especially for you.... More

Kilter

If Your Mind Was A Room

The very name of If Your Mind Was A Room suggests constraints, four walls, boundaries, etc. This UK-based firm, however, is the antithesis of that concept. As they so eloquently put it, choosing them for your advertising campaign is like walking through a dull grey market in a rainbow colored suit -- i.e. they'll give you a branded identity in the advertising world that's different from anyone else, while still maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the very best campaigns. They'll also provide you with furniture. We're not kidding. Check out their site.... More

If Your Mind Was A Room

Segura Inc.

This is where you'd turn if you want those very accomplished Segura folks to cook you up a print campaign, custom font or corporate identity. The famed Chicago based firm has an uncommonly deep portfolio comprising scores and scores of pages of work—which makes it a great adventure to explore. Their contemporary style has been the envy of many clients, and the list is varied and quite deep... from print campaigns to comic book covers, TV titles and logos... Segura does it all.... More

Also posted under usa based firms, graphic design.

Segura Inc.

Seven Worldwide

Seven's up! Oh, and include Dr. Pepper, Kellogg's, and a slew of other big clients in Seven's lofty corporate roster. Having recently expanded to Asian and the Hong Kong area, a full global conquest appears to be within Seven's radar. However, some of their portfolio pieces are so difficult to navigate, we longed for a detailed map. The overly simplistic construction and lack of flash at the firm's web site suggest some more work might be explored in-house.... More

Also posted under multimedia.

Seven Worldwide

Interbrand

Interbrand proudly crafts brands and empowers them to create combustible results. Forty offices in 25 countries solidify the staying power of this brand maker.... More

Interbrand

Factor Design

Hearkening back to the height of the Industrial Age, the emergence of the wireless Internet world has spawned the new age of the Factory. Displaying its work in a scrolling format reminiscent of the assembly line, each project comes handcrafted with the finest factory-backed detail. With two perfectly engineered processes for branding and web development in place, this company should remain a Factor for a while.... More

Also posted under international firms, Denmark.

Factor Design

Clementina Presentation

The future has come, and it is bright. Clementina Presentation drags you into a world of tomorrow with their touch-screen this and their interactive that. Big names like HBO, Philips, and Fox are already doting on them, but soon enough they'll find their way into your own home. The touch-screen menu on your next refridgerator will come courtesy of these time-travelers. And twenty years down the line, what won't have a touch-screen on it? Think cell phones. Think dashboards. Think public toilets. These are the people who will lead the index-finger revolution. Sit back. Relax. Feel yourself getting fatter and lazier as the years go by. These guys are dragging us into the future, so thank your lucky stars they're doing it in style. The future is at our fingertips, literally. Think...moist toweletes.... More

Also posted under international firms.

Clementina Presentation

Anonymous

Design, communications and web marketing all wrapped up in Color Theory 101. A fun site, chock full of information and examples, although the portfolio display doesn’t provide a particularly good view of their most prized branding, marketing and interface design projects - and shoots the color theory lesson in the kneecap. All in all, they take care of business with a web presence that’s fun – excuse the portfolio section with a menu that’s as awkward as a junior high dance. Apparently bright and seemingly competent with a heavy accent on jovial ‘ad man’ banter.... More

Also posted under usa based firms.

Anonymous

The Designory

Although they dabble in sneakers and entertainment, the designory seems to traffic mostly in cars: Porsche, Isuzu, Mercedes... but they seem exceptionally proud of the Nissan campaign as it is the one extensively and exclusively laid out on their web site. You see the sunlight glinting on the hood, you see a couple screen shots from the DVD, you see the car from every angle. You see, they help your brand grow "geometrically" -- and quite capably.... More

The Designory

Media-Screen

In order to filter the torrential waves of Internet information, customers turn to Media-Screen, an all-purpose source for nailing specific branding information. While the San Francisco company’s presentation resembles an early Powerpoint template (enough with the rainbow format, okay, kids?), we can still glean they have high standards and offer very professional stuff.... More

Also posted under usa based firms.

Media-Screen