Troika is a small, but influential art and design studio located in London, founded by three former students from the Royal College of Art in London. Their work can be found lately in pretty much every printed graphic design magazine, from I.D. Magazine to Creative Review, ICON to Metropolis. As a multi-disciplinary practice focused on art, design and communications, they produce some truly outstanding and original artistic ideas.... 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
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
To create, or not to create? In this case, it's two and three dimensional design that's created by a small UK firm founded by two Central St. Martin Product Design graduates. In this very sophisticated Flash site, two create shows off innovative product and packaging designs for global clients, from wooden utensils for Muji, to hand blown glass table lamps for Mathmos. Contemporary and very elegant work defines their style, which also includes some great print and identity designs. Site design by Sam Dallyn.... More
After years of keeping his silence and hiding behind a holding page (something we can all relate to), Christian Layugan has just reloaded his portfolio site and removed his trusted mask – a 7 year old splash screen. So finally, for all to see – naked for the first time in public, a collection of all the work produced by this now much older and wiser senior designer from Sydney, Australia. Currently he is working at Soap Creative, who do a large chunk of work for 20th Century Fox, and lectures part time at Billy Blue College of Design.... More
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
Built up of a three-man team, and located in Montreal Canada, studio DDI seems to be a synergistic team of talents whose work is clean, creative, colorful and captivating. Their work tends to bleed towards motion and video when possible, but their talents are rooted in incorporating all new media into cohesive, collaborative online concoctions. Quite nice!... More
From designing futuristic fuel-cell motorcycles to a range of... yes, vibrators, SeymourPowell are a ground-breaking group of innovators, product designers and product design consultants. Their portfolio exemplifies a pure, professional presentation – simply showcasing their excellent experience in product design, development and brand product analysis. Great site, built by Sennep.... More
Luis Blanco and Michael Uman two wild and funny guys! They are the warped brains behind the award-winning design and concept studio INTERspectacular. Mostly focusing on character development, and motion branding, they are the creative force behind Comedy Central's recent network identity redesign—in which they introduced edgy MTV-esque interstitials and station IDs. Meaning, they basically get to cut loose and design the craziest stuff they can imagine. Today, they are creating print and broadcast projects for some of the world's most engaging brands, from Volvo to Virgin Mobile.... More
Founded in 2003 by David Puzey and Matthew Hunt, bleach is a multi-disciplinary graphic design consultancy practiced in brand identity and development, design for print, packaging, web and motion graphics. bleach clients define the firm's diversity, ranging from youth leisure brands, and art galleries, to retail developers.... More
Mutado is a renown, but small international firm whose work includes design, animation and interactive work – from brand-supporting print and advertising to online animations, motion design and illustrations. Strong at character work, online systems and games, Mutado's focus is to enable brands to interact with their clients. Which is why, in turn, it's not really a surprise when Mutado's own client list includes the likes of Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon—brands well known for their pioneering use of animation and interaction. Great little site... simple, detail-oriented, and easy to use.... More
A very nice small Scandinavian firm with an ambitious blend of disciplines covering everything from branding to shopkeeping (they run a concept store called One), and all the many levels of design falling between graphic design and technology. They have a nice, slightly quirky approach that leans towards a mostly illustrative style. Unique looking stuff, and a great looking site.... More
