Hotlist 2025: the 25 most popular design studios, as voted for by their peers

In a world overflowing with creativity and design innovation, there are thousands of outstanding design studios to be inspired by. Some of these make a lot of effort to publicise their work; some tend to hide their light under a bushel. Others, meanwhile, would love to shout about what they've created, but their clients frustratingly forbid it.

In short, any attempt to compile a list of the "best" design studios based on our own personal preferences would be highly subjective and wildly controversial. So, instead, we decided to keep our personal opinions to ourselves and ask hundreds of designers across the industry to vote for their favourite graphic design studios today.

The results are now in, and here they are. We've listed the design studios that received the most love in order of popularity, and we also give honourable mentions to those that narrowly missed making the list of 25.

We share these names not to ruffle feathers or suggest that any studio not on this list is unworthy (that would be crazy!). We just feel it's nice to give praise where praise is due and highlight some top agencies doing outstanding work and inspiring their peers. Hopefully, their work will inspire you too.

1. Pentagram

Founded in London in 1972, Pentagram is a global design studio run as a cooperative of partners, each leader in their own right. Paula Scher, Michael Bierut, Marina Willer, Samar Maakaroun, Eddie Opara and others have led some of the most iconic branding and design projects of our time, and it's ultimately Pentagram's ability to evolve while maintaining high standards of creativity that's led them to top our list.

Most recently, the studio led a rebrand for John Lewis, which unified the UK retailer's branding and visual identity across channels, while their work for animal charity Battersea created an inclusive brand identity that connects with pet lovers everywhere. We also loved their collaboration with Pink Floyd, which helped the rock band celebrate the Dark Side of the Moon's 50th anniversary in style. And the recent update for Paypal, which stirred much debate in the creative community.

2. PORTO ROCHA

Based in New York, PORTO ROCHA was founded by Brazilians Felipe Rocha and Leo Porto in 2019. The studio fuses strategy with design to create dynamic and culturally relevant work. Known for its visually arresting identities for tech, entertainment, and cultural brands, including projects for Twitch, W Hotels, Vevo and Robinhood, its forward-thinking, culturally aware approach ensures it remains at the cutting edge of the design world.

Standout recent projects include a stunning rebrand for Nike Run, recharging Nike by going back to its roots: running as the soul of Nike, and an identity refresh for Vevo, which reinforced the world's largest music video network as both an expert in the space and a champion of the artists it showcases.

3. Ragged Edge

Ragged Edge, founded in London in 2007, has fast earned a reputation for rebranding and strategic design. Their philosophy is all about challenging the status quo, and they like to work with anybody who "believes branding has the power to change organisations, change industries, change perceptions, and change behaviours".

Three recent projects show their ability to put meat on those bones. Their recent rebrand for Wise brought the idea of ’The World’s Money’ to life across every part of the brand experience, their new identity for Papier showcased the magical power of stationery, and their transformation of pet product brand Omlet included a charmingly tactile illustration style.

4. Mouthwash Studio

Founded in Los Angeles in 2019 and led by partners Abraham Campillo, Mackenzie Freemire, Ben Mingo, and Alex Tan, Mouthwash Studio stands out for its contemporary, future-forward design philosophy. Partnering with leading brands and industry innovators across a variety of sectors, including fashion, architecture, and technology, the studio is known for its holistic approach to creating new ideas and defining experiences.

Notable recent projects include the space they created for Thom Browne during New York Fashion Week, which hosted celebrities including Martha Stewart, Leon Bridges and Addison Rae, an intuitive motion system for Rimowa Design Prize, as well as their work for Barcelona-based studio Mesura, evolving the architecture practice into an exhaustive model for creativity.

5. Hey Studio

Based in Barcelona and founded by Verònica Fuerte in 2007, Hey Studio is known for both its all-female team and its clean, bold designs, characterised by vibrant colours and geometric shapes. Their portfolio spans collaborations with tech giants like Google and Apple, as well as smaller creative projects.

In recent years, they've successfully expanded the studio's footprint while staying true to their distinct design approach. We particularly loved their work for Thalby travel guidebooks , which turned the humble circle into a versatile yet uniform piece of branding.

6. Hoodzpah

Founded by twin sisters Amy and Jennifer Hood, Hoodzpah is a progressive brand identity studio headquartered in Orange County, California. They bring a playful and personal touch to every project they undertake and are known for their unique, relatable designs and their commitment to authenticity.

Hoodzpah's design work spans branding to type design and is often characterised by a cheeky, whimsical style. Their bold and fearless approach has earned them collaborations with clients across a variety of industries, from tech to hospitality. Recent projects have included their new brand identity for The California Classic NBA Summer League event and packaging designs for a limited-edition Barbie collaboration with Nettie, a woman-owned and Cincinnati-based pickleball brand.

7. &Walsh

Founded in New York in 2019 by Jessica Walsh, formerly of Sagmeister & Walsh, &Walsh is known for its out-of-the-box creative thinking and often provocative approach. The studio is widely celebrated for its bold use of colour, form and typography, pushing the boundaries of what branding and design can achieve. This year, they've also launched a sister agency focused on typography and type design, called Type of Feeling.

Some of our favourite projects have included their branding for Bombay 99, based on a single droplet of the mixer drink; their rebrand for sustainable indoor vertical farming company Plenty, featuring an approachable custom font inspired by plants; and their disruption of the wine space with a 'non-snobby' identity for subscription service Stompy.

8. Interbrand

Interbrand has been a leading brand consultancy for five decades, having pioneered iconic work and forged many of the brand-building tools that are commonplace in the industry today. Currently led by CEO Gonzalo Brujó, the company is known for creating some of the world's most iconic and enduring brand identities, including Bugatti, Bodyform, GE Vernova, Juventus, Sydney Opera House, and Haleon.

The studio's emphasis on evolving brand experiences has helped numerous global businesses navigate changing markets successfully. This is well demonstrated by the striking new identity they helped create for The LEGO Group, which is designed to make play more accessible. In collaboration with the world's leading brands, Interbrand's global team of 'thinkers and makers' believes it is pioneering the future of brand building.

9. Edit

Based in Manchester, Edit was founded in 2017 by Karen Hughes and Khadija Kapacee. This studio focuses on cultural inclusivity and collaboration, creating meaningful work that speaks to diverse audiences. Edit recently gained attention for their rebranding work for Salford's Lowry Theatre and the National Portrait Gallery, projects that underscored their commitment to driving community engagement through design.

10. DixonBaxi

Founded by Simon Dixon and Aporva Baxi, DixonBaxi is celebrated for its bold, visually striking branding and storytelling that challenges the status quo. From their studios in London and LA, they focus on crafting immersive brand experiences that connect emotionally, driven by the belief that creativity has the power to shape culture, inspire action, and challenge perspectives.

Recent highlights include transforming ITV, rebooting the VMAs, rebranding Samsung Gaming, and unifying music tech company distinctive identity for music tech company Roli with a distinctive, cohesive identity.

11. Wolff Olins

Established in 1965 by Michael Wolff and Wally Olins, Wolff Olins has a storied legacy of creating groundbreaking brand identities for nearly 60 years. With a focus on big ideas and bold execution, it continues to be at the forefront of design innovation, creating transformative brands that move businesses, people and the world forward.

With offices in London, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, it has a diverse roster of clients worldwide, ranging in industry and size, including Lloyds, Decathlon, LG Electronics, New York Botanical Gardens, and more.

12. Studio DBD

Founded by David Sedgwick and based in Manchester, Studio DBD has made waves with its bold, often unconventional approach to design. We particularly loved their identity for the STOCKROOM – a new library and cultural space opening in Stockport along with the work the studio consistently produces for Foilco.

13. Need

Founded in 2019, Need is a purpose-driven design studio based in Glasgow that works with cultural clients across the globe. Led by Strategy Director Laura Thomson and Creative Director Edward Watt, the studio specialises in architecture, arts, education and charity – telling brand stories to challenge assumptions and make meaningful connections with audiences.

Standout projects include their branding for Akin, a black, female-owned collective of builders dedicated to crafting community-centric spaces, and an updated brand and website for RELM, an urban landscape architecture practice based in downtown LA.

14. Little Troop

Led by creative directors Noemie Le Coz and Jeremy Elliot, Little Troop describes itself as "a design studio driven by craft, culture and imagination". Founded in 2019 in New York, they aim to push past mediocrity and create work with true cultural relevance. This approach is immediately evident in projects such as their fun identity for Nik Bentel Studio and a retrofuturist logo for home storage brand Cliik.

15. Studio Feixen

Led by Felix Pfäffli, Studio Feixen is renowned for its boundary-pushing work in graphic design, animation and typography. Founded in 2009 and based in Lucerne, Switzerland, their avant-garde and experimental style makes them both distinct and in demand.

We love how amid all their branding work, they've also established a type foundry, where Felix and Robin Eberwein create the fonts "they always hoped for" as graphic designers. One of their most recent releases is Ease, a variable typeface that can be customised in countless ways. They also recently launched the Graphic Design Workflow, a working tool that aims to streamline the creative process and improve efficiency.

In addition, Studio Feixen has made its debut in furniture design with the release of the Crocodile Chair, a collaboration with Indian furniture manufacturer Phantom Hands. Its playful and bold design reflects the studio's distinctive approach to form, fun and function, bringing their creative vision into the world of furniture.

16. Studio MPLS

Founded by Dan Olson in 2009, Studio MPLS specialises in brand design, packaging, and illustration. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, their elegant and visually striking designs have attracted clients like Target and PepsiCo, with a particular focus on the food and beverage industries. They first grabbed our attention with their superb branding for farmstead brewery River St. Joe, which took the idea of "farm-to-table" and translated it into "grain-to-glass".

17. Studio Dumbar/DEPT

Studio Dumbar/DEPT is a global creative studio with a Dutch heritage that specialises in identity, motion, and sound. Founded by Gert Dumbar in 1977 in the Hague, they later moved to Rotterdam. Today, they're known for consistently pushing the creative boundaries of visual communication. For example, during the pandemic they redesigned the D&AD Annual as a digital-only publication, in a way that gave more access to images and video content than had been possible in print.

Other recent projects include the Dutch Railways visual identity, Utah Jazz's motion language, Instagram's motion identity, the refresh of the Van Gogh museum identity, and the initiating and designing of DEMO, the largest design in motion festival in the world.

18. Rocket & Wink

A Hamburg-based design studio founded by two anonymous creatives, Rocket & Wink is known for its bold, humorous and often edgy approach to design, as showcased in their incendiary artbook Rainbow Fantasy Popart Adventure.

Blending wit and creativity, their unique and instantly recognisably work has attracted everyone from major brands like fritz-kola to niche outfits like Fontwerk. They also work for major record labels (Warner Music) and in the field of culture, such as the Deutsche Schauspielhaus.

19. Jamhot

Glasgow-based Jamhot helps brands navigate change through creative design, words and ideas. Known for their expertise in brand transformation and impactful campaigns, they've worked with clients across multiple industries.

We particularly loved their identity for specialist coffee company Hokum, based around a pastel-palette comic strip, and their brand & bottle design for Levenbank Distillery inspired by the master distillers who take the time to create some of Scotland's finest single malts. They also run a creative get-together in their home city called Gab, which is worth checking out.

20. Dutch Scot

This London-based studio has gained recognition for its clean, sophisticated approach to branding and packaging design. Their attention to detail and craft is obvious in projects such as the rich visual and verbal identity they created for restaurant and bar brand LPM.

21. Bulletproof

Established in 1998 by Gush Mundae, Bulletproof is an independent brand agency, combining "unrivalled creativity with global reach". With offices worldwide, its diverse portfolio spans innovation, 3D environments, motion, digital, voice and more.

It works in partnership with clients of all sizes across various industries – from Mondelēz International, Diageo, and The Heineken Company, to Booking.com, Tate & Lyle and Ultima. In particular, we found their rebrand of Cadbury Mini Eggs, which drew out the nostalgic value of the Easter egg hunt, to be quite delightful.

22. Locomotive

Montreal-based Locomotive is a digital design agency that has garnered numerous awards for its innovative web design and development, including named Agency of the Year in Awwwards six times. Known for creating visually compelling digital experiences, the studio is a leader in user-centric design.

Of their recent projects, we particularly admired the website they designed for Stenger-Bike and movie director Hervé Baillargeon. Recent clients include Lowe's Innovation Labs, Lightship, Unity, Merrell, and Populous.

23. Wonderkind

Wonderkind is a branding and design studio known for its thoughtful, storytelling-driven approach. Working across design, photography, Instagram and TikTok, they specialise in emotive content that builds strong connections between brands and audiences.

A favourite recent project is their work for Asian spice brand Jahan, which translated the client's desire for a non-traditional approach using typography inspired by Afghan culture, patterns with unique glyphs, and zestful colours that highlight the founder's heritage.

24. Collins

Co-founded by Brian Collins in 2008, this eponymous studio operates out of New York and San Francisco and is known for its transformative branding work for Spotify and Dropbox, among others. Its work often blends bold visual design with strategic storytelling, creating memorable brand identities that resonate on a global scale.

Recent projects that have jumped onto our radar have included their rebrand of KALW, a storied public radio brand, and a refresh of media network CNET, inspired by the 'golden age' of the printing press.

25. Smith & Diction

Smith & Diction was founded in 2015 by Mike Smith, who was inspired by the idea of making things rather than just focusing on making money. The Philadelphia studio creates "thoughtful identities for imaginative clients" and has recently been working with Solana, a blockchain built for mass adoption.

Honourable mentions

Too Gallus

Too Gallus is a Glasgow-based multidisciplinary creative agency working with clients worldwide. From Nike and Pizza Punks to Red Bull and Gal Pal, it describes itself as a "future-forward" studio that specialises in creating impactful work designed to help clients stand out. "We create brands who generate massive impact," it says. Founded by Barrington Reeves in 2020, Too Gallus has fast become a global player in the creative industry.

Kiln

Located in Cornwall, Kiln is a creative practice that operates across brand, digital, and motion. Founded in 2022, it collaborates with brands, institutions, and individuals, bringing life to playful concepts that connect. A landmark recent project was the branding, visual identity, and motion design for Alexander, a mobile app devoted to nonfiction stories.

Buck

Based in Los Angeles, Buck has spent the years since its founding in 2004 building a home for "talented dreamers, makers, and doers". They pride themselves on a collaborative, ego-free culture that breeds partnership and creative ambition. Recent projects include a partnership with Canva to create a new set of emojis that are bursting with personality.

Brand Brothers

Launched in 2010, this Paris-based studio has garnered international acclaim for its fresh and dynamic approach to branding and typographic identities. Recent work for the Union of Music Libraries, Mercury Group and Grow Deal showcase their ability to create flexible, modern identities that resonate across digital and physical spaces.

The Collected Works

An independent studio based in New York and New Orleans, The Collected Works has built a reputation for crafting thoughtful, research-driven identities. We were particularly impressed with their visual designs for the heart disease organisation Prolalio and their work on Dropbox's website redesign campaign.