15 Most Famous Graphic Design Companies Across The Globe

Knowing which global graphic design companies lead the industry is essential for clients and designers seeking expertise and inspiration. The more names you know, the easier it is to pick the right company for future design projects. And for the graphic designers out there, this isn’t just about admiring the work of the best in the business—it’s about drawing visual inspiration and dreaming big. As your skills develop, these industry leaders could be where your career finds its next big challenge.

To quickly figure out who is who, here is our list of the top fifteen well-known design agencies and brands.

The list of top 15 graphic design companies:

Pentagram
Sagmeister & Walsh
Canva
Studio Dumbar
Landor
MetaDesign
Wolff Olins
Mucho
Anagrama
Leo Burnett
Happy Cog
SocioDesign
Triboro
Charlie Smith Design
Spin

1. Pentagram

Pentagram calls itself “a multidisciplinary, independently owned graphic design agency.” It has been on the market for over five decades, working with different clients and industries. The agency’s owners not only manage Pentagram but also work as designers there, creating diverse images and brand identities and helping brands with visual positioning.

Founder: Theo Crosby, Alan Fletcher, Kenneth Grange, Colin Forbes, and Mervyn Kurlansky
Founded: 1972
Headquarters: London
Locations: London, New York, San Francisco, Berlin and Austin, Texas
Notable clients: Warner Brothers, Windows, Starbucks, Verizon
Services offered: brand identity, signage and environmental graphics, book design, campaigns, data-driven design, digital design, editorial design, exhibition design, film and motion graphics, industrial/product design, interiors and architecture, naming, packaging, sound design, typography
Best for: distinct and vivid brand identity and visual positioning

2. Sagmeister & Walsh

Sagmeister & Walsh was one of the best graphic design companies of this century. Founded in 2010, the agency collaborated with various well-known names and brands, such as Jay-Z and New York Times. In 2019, the creative duo consisting of Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh decided to part ways. Nowadays, Stefan focuses more on non-commercial work, while Jessica runs her own design studio &Walsh. The agency’s website is currently promoting its book called Beauty, which is a great source of inspiration for many designers worldwide.

Founder: Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh
Founded: 2010
Headquarters: New York
Locations: New York
Notable clients: Levi’s, Adobe, BMW, Snapchat, New York Times
Services offered: brand identity, advertising, websites, apps, films, books and objects
Best for: design inspiration

Source: Behance

3. Canva

Technically speaking, Canva wouldn’t be listed among the graphic design studios out there today. Still, it made this list because currently, it’s the most popular design tool used by marketers, influencers, and content creators around the world. Canva offers easily customizable design templates that are incredibly intuitive and help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups create visuals for their brands.

Founder: Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, Cameron Adams
Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Locations: online
Notable clients: FedEx, Zoom and Starbucks
Services offered: customizable design templates for ads, social media, presentations, and brand identity
Best for: quick and easy design solutions for those who aren’t familiar with graphic design software

4. Studio Dumbar

Studio Dumbar is a Netherlands-based graphic design company that creates “curious and driven” solutions utilizing visuals, motion, sound, creative coding, and AI tools. This studio is part of DEPT, a pioneering company in the field of technology and marketing services that has 4,000+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on five continents.

Founder: Gert Dumbar
Founded: 1977
Headquarters: Rotterdam
Locations: Rotterdam
Notable clients: Adidas, Van Gogh Museum, The Dutch Government
Services offered: strategic positioning, visual identity, motion identity, sound identity, integrated branding
Best for: visual and motion brand positioning

Source: Studiodumbar

5. Landor

Landor is one of the oldest graphic design agencies on the market. It was founded in 1941 by Walter Landor, a pioneer of visual branding and consumer research techniques that are widely used even today. The agency successfully combines its legacy with modern design trends and the adoption of new technology.

Founder: Walter Landor
Founded: 1941
Headquarters: San Francisco
Locations: Istanbul, Munich, Milan, Geneva, Berlin, Hamburg, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Oslo, Dubai, Delhi, Mumbai, New York, Toronto, Beijing, Columbus, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cape Town, Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Jakarta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Melbourne, Sydney
Notable clients: Nike, Renault, Walmart
Services offered: business strategy, visual, verbal, sonic, and motion design, brand-led customer and employee experiences
Best for: brand design and consulting

6. MetaDesign

MetaDesign is one of the top graphic design companies worldwide. It has been creating branding solutions for leading organizations since 1979. The MetaDesign team operates in seven locations and uses their creative skills to “transform businesses for the better”. However, it can be difficult to ensure a collaboration with them – being a well-known company across the globe, MetaDesign selects its projects very carefully.

Founder: Erik Spiekermann
Founded: 1979
Headquarters: San Francisco
Locations: Beijing, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lausanne, New York, San Francisco, Zurich
Notable clients: Apple, Henkel, Volkswagen, DHL
Services offered: brand strategy, brand experience, brand creation, brand activation, product design, and spatial design
Best for: powerful and visually appealing branding

Source: Metadesign

7. Wolff Olins

Wolff Olins calls itself “a global brand consultancy that’s ambitious for the work and optimistic for the world.” They are one of the graphic and web design companies that have helped shape so many famous modern brands, such as eBay, TikTok, and Google. However, this experience comes with a price: for instance, their version of the Olympic Games logo made the Guinness Record list for being the most expensive: its price reached $645.645.

Founder: Wally Olins, Michael Wolff
Founded: 1965
Headquarters: London
Locations: London, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles
Notable clients: Apple, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Spotify, Uber
Services offered: brand identity, brand strategy, brand experience, and brand culture
Best for: creating memorable brand identity and experience

8. Mucho

Mucho is a creative design agency that believes that behind every great design is a great idea that “speaks to your head and your heart.” They strive to turn these ideas into meaningful designs that make brands successful. The Mucho team consists of 35+ designers and strategists. Having a clear and detailed strategy is generally essential for this agency: the team believes that it gives them fresh perspectives to energize brands.

Founder: Marc Català and Pablo Juncadella
Founded: 2003
Headquarters: Barcelona
Locations: Barcelona, Paris, San Francisco, Melbourne
Notable clients: Apple, Google, Kodak, Venmo
Services offered: market research, brand audit, benchmark, brand strategy, brand architecture, brand voice, employer brand, change management, brand content, identity design, visual design, interactive design, brand experience, brand management, brand performance
Best for: creating meaningful designs that perform well both online and in the real world

Source: Wearemucho

9. Anagrama

Anagrama is an international multidisciplinary studio that offers a diverse scope of services, from copywriting and design to software development. The studio is creative and free-spirited, and at the same time, it is rational thinking and deadline-oriented.

Founder: Sebastian Padilla, Gustavo Muñoz, Mike Herrera, and Roberto Treviño
Founded: 2009
Headquarters: Mexico City
Locations: Mexico City, Monterrey, United States (online), Tokyo
Notable clients: C&A, Sally Beauty, Momiji Beauty
Services offered: copywriting, graphic design, web design, illustration, editorial design, software development
Best for: a diverse scope of work required to build a brand

10. Leo Burnett

Leo Burnett is one of the most famous graphic design companies worldwide. This company believes that people, their needs, wants, dreams, and hopes are at the core of every meaningful and powerful work. They use this people-oriented approach to create branding, advertising, and communications that truly resonate with people from all over the world.

Founder: Leo Burnett
Founded: 1935
Headquarters: Chicago
Locations: Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto, Santiago, Bogotá, San José, Guatemala City, Mexico City, Chicago, Detroit, Sydney, Melbourne, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Jakarta, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapour, Seoul, Colombo, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Prague, Frankfurt, Budapest, Warsaw, Bratislava, Belgrade, Kyiv, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Amman, Kuwait City, Beirut, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Istanbul, Dubai, Lagos, Johannesburg, Brussels, Nicosia, Paris, Athens, Milan, Rome, Turin, Amsterdam, Oslo, Lisbon, Madrid, Zürich, London
Notable clients: McDonalds, Fiat, Procter & Gamble
Services offered: branding, advertising, and communications
Best for: brand positioning that directly resonates with your target audience

Source: Leoburnett

11. Happy Cog

Happy Cog is one of the biggest graphic design companies that has been on the market since the creation of the Internet. Their mission is to create content that speaks to your target audience. This is achieved with the help of a thorough content strategy, skilled design, and experienced development.

Founder: Jeffrey Zeldman
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: New York
Locations: online
Notable clients: Airbnb, Associated Press, Google, Ben & Jerry’s
Services offered: content strategy, product innovation, consumer & market research, website design, mobile app design, branding & identity, design systems, user experience, content creation, CMS development, mobile app development, CRM integration, ERP integration, web accessibility compliance, POS integration, maintenance and support, advanced analytics consulting, conversion rate optimization, site speed & performance optimization, data warehousing, marketing automation, data-driven personalization, search engine optimization, paid media marketing, content marketing, programmatic advertising, lead generation strategies
Best for: creating branding and a content strategy for your company

12. SocioDesign

Those who are leaning towards minimalist yet eye-catching design solutions might find SocioDesign perfect for them. It is among the local graphic design companies in the UK that are famous for simple and stylish designs that resonate with people from all over the globe.

Founder: James Cramp, Nigel Bates
Founded: 2004
Headquarters: London
Locations: online
Notable clients: Nokia, Beau Cacao, Büro System
Services offered: brand identity, packaging
Best for: minimalist and universal designs

Source: Sociodesign

13. Charlie Smith Design

Charlie Smith Design is a small yet very creative studio founded by an ex-Pentagram designer. They’ve designed identities for animation studios, exhibitions, and charities; signage for restaurants and boutiques; and packaging for artisan delis and toymakers. Such a broad experience is combined with meticulous attention to detail and a thorough design approach.

Founder: Charlie Smith
Founded: 2003
Headquarters: London
Locations: online
Notable clients: Tate, Yale University Press, Louis Vuitton
Services offered: brand design, packaging, editorial design, illustration
Best for: bright and appealing visuals for your brand

14. Triboro

Triboro is a graphic design agency created by David Heasty and Stefanie Weigler. They create great design solutions for the publishing, music, fashion, art, and lifestyle industries. Triboro helps build brands from scratch and enhance already established brands.

Founder: David Heasty and Stefanie Weigler
Founded: 2008
Headquarters: Brooklyn
Locations: online
Notable clients: Marc Jacobs, Stella Artois, MoMa
Services offered: brand identity, packaging
Best for: vivid designs to enhance your brand’s identity

Source: Triboro

15. Spin

Spin design studio has been creating branding, digital, and environmental designs for over 20 years. Their ideas are clean and modern, and the list of sectors their graphic design team works with covers communication, entertainment, arts, broadcast, and electronics. Spin is famous for its meticulous approach and thorough research that can even include workshops with their target audience.

Founder: Tony Brook
Founded: 1992
Headquarters: London
Locations: online
Notable clients: Apple, BBC, Samsung
Services offered: branding, digital and print design
Best for: modern and elegant design solutions

How to evaluate graphic design companies

Even if you know who the biggest names in the graphic design industry are, this still might not be enough to make the best choice. To choose wisely, consider the following factors.

1. Industries a company works with

While professional companies can handle projects from various industries, they still have their own preferences and niches in which they’re the most skilled. A company with experience in your industry understands its nuances, target audience, and unique visual language. They can offer you insights to enhance the effectiveness of design and better communicate your brand message within the context of your specific field.

That’s why picking a company already familiar with your industry would be a great decision, especially if this industry is a complex one, such as geospatial data, blockchain, or cybersecurity. To find out if they have the experience you need, you can check out a variety of graphic design companies’ websites: they usually list the most common industries they work with.

2. Pricing

This is obviously an important factor one cannot disregard easily, especially if you are a small business owner. While working with market leaders is, without a doubt, beneficial, it can also be quite costly. Such collaborations generally aren’t risky for big brands but can be quite risky for startups, as well as new products and services on the market.

That’s why, before making a final decision, weigh your options carefully. Smaller graphic design firms or freelancers can also offer quality services at a more affordable rate.

3. Style

Big graphic design companies and agencies usually have a distinct visual style they are famous for. Some prefer the minimalist approach, while some are more bold and even kitschy. Before choosing a company to collaborate with, check out their portfolio to ensure that their vision aligns with your expectations.

At the end of the day, the visual style of the graphic design company you choose should complement your brand identity. Pick a company whose portfolio reflects a diversity of styles and their ability to adapt. This way, you’ll be sure they can tailor their approach to suit your brand’s unique aesthetic.

4. Timing

Big names in the market are often busy, which means that they might not take on your project as quickly as needed. If the deadline is pressing, opt for smaller companies that might not be as well-known, but can still deliver results on time.

This will ensure that your project will get all the personalized attention it deserves and will be finished on time without quality compromises.

5. Trial

You might like what a company does for other clients and end up disliking what they created for you. A trial is a good way to protect you from such situations and verify if you and the company are a match. It allows you to confirm that the company’s working style, communication, and creative output truly meet your expectations before you commit to a long-term collaboration.

So, if you have some concerns, ask if a company provides a trial option. This will minimize the risk of you not being satisfied with the final deliverables.

To wrap up

There are so many big names in the graphic design industry, which makes it quite difficult to pick the right one for your needs. Focusing on things like pricing, style, deadlines, trial periods, and the industries a company works with can help you pick one that fits you best.

FAQs

What is a graphic design company?

A graphic design company is a business that specializes in creating visual content and communication materials for individuals and organizations. These companies hire graphic designers who use their artistic and technical skills to craft images for various purposes: branding, marketing collateral, websites, and print materials.

What do graphic design companies work on?

Graphic design companies create visuals to communicate certain messages effectively to brand target audiences. This includes designing logos, marketing collateral, websites, packaging, and other visual content.

What is the difference between graphic design companies and ad agencies?

Both graphic design companies and ad agencies deal with visual communication. However, the key difference lies in their scope of services. Graphic design companies mostly create visual elements and materials, such as logos and branding, while ad agencies offer a broader range of services, including strategic marketing, advertising campaigns, and media planning, in addition to graphic design.

What is the most popular graphic design company?

There is no one answer to this question, as everyone has individual preferences. However, some well-known and widely recognized names in the industry include Pentagram, Landor, and Sagmeister & Walsh.

What are the biggest graphic design companies?

Some of the largest globally renowned companies are Pentagram, Landor, and IDEO. They have a significant impact on the design industry, offering a broad range of services and working with major clients worldwide.

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