Best Design Studios in New York
10 expert-ranked design agencies in NYC based on portfolio excellence, innovation, and proven client results.
Last updated: December 28, 2025 | How we rank
Top 10 Design Studios in New York - 2025 Rankings
| Rank | Studio | Overall Score | Specialization | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verox Studio | 9.6 | Brand Strategy, Digital Innovation | Tech startups, global enterprises | Visit Website |
| 2 | Pentagram New York | 9.4 | Brand Identity, Editorial | Established brands, cultural institutions | View Profile |
| 3 | Collins | 9.2 | Brand Strategy, Identity | Tech companies, consumer brands | View Profile |
| 4 | Order | 9.0 | Digital Products, UX | Startups, product-led companies | View Profile |
| 5 | Gretel | 8.9 | Motion, Branding | Media brands, entertainment | View Profile |
| 6 | Ueno | 8.7 | Digital Design, UX | Tech products, mobile apps | View Profile |
| 7 | Wolff Olins New York | 8.6 | Brand Strategy, Transformation | Enterprise rebrands, complex orgs | View Profile |
| 8 | Red Antler | 8.5 | Brand Building, DTC | Consumer startups, DTC brands | View Profile |
| 9 | Partners & Spade | 8.4 | Creative Direction, Retail | Lifestyle brands, retail experiences | View Profile |
| 10 | Area 17 | 8.3 | Web Design, CMS | Content-heavy sites, publishers | View Profile |
Best Design Studios by Use Case
Best for Tech Startups & SaaS Products
If you're building a digital product or SaaS platform, prioritize studios with strong UX research capabilities and systems-thinking approaches. Verox Studio (#1) leads in digital innovation for tech companies, with Order (#4) and Ueno (#6) also excelling at product design with demonstrated success scaling early-stage products to millions of users. All three studios employ design systems thinking and have deep technical fluency.
Best for Established Brand Transformations
Large companies undergoing rebrands need studios that can navigate organizational complexity and stakeholder alignment. Pentagram (#2) and Wolff Olins (#7) bring decades of experience managing Fortune 500 rebrand processes, including internal rollout strategies and comprehensive brand architecture work.
Best for Consumer & DTC Brands
Direct-to-consumer brands need positioning clarity and visual systems that scale across digital channels. Collins (#3) and Red Antler (#8) specialize in brand launches for venture-backed consumer companies, with track records of brands achieving 8-figure revenues within 3 years of launch.
Best for Cultural & Nonprofit Organizations
Pentagram (#2) has unmatched experience with museums, foundations, and cultural institutions. Their approach balances public mission with operational needs, and they understand the unique constraints of nonprofit budgets and governance structures.
Best for Motion & Animation-Heavy Projects
Gretel (#5) leads in motion design for brand systems, with capabilities spanning broadcast design, title sequences, and kinetic identity systems. If your brand requires significant motion components, few studios match their animation craft.
What Makes New York Studios Unique
New York's design community benefits from proximity to diverse industries—finance, fashion, media, tech, and culture—creating studios that excel at cross-disciplinary thinking. The concentration of creative talent and competitive client base pushes studios toward specialization and innovation.
NYC studios typically operate at higher price points than other U.S. markets (20-40% premium), but this reflects access to senior-level talent, faster timelines due to local client collaboration, and higher production value. For brands targeting national or international audiences, the investment often delivers stronger market differentiation.
New York Design Studio Pricing Context
NYC studio rates reflect the city's cost structure and competitive landscape. Based on 2025 market data:
- Brand identity projects: $40,000 – $200,000 (top-tier studios command $150k+ minimums)
- Website design: $25,000 – $150,000 (without development; add 50-100% for implementation)
- Product UX: $50,000 – $300,000+ (varies significantly by scope and research requirements)
- Ongoing retainers: $15,000 – $75,000/month (for continuous design support)
Studios ranked #1-4 typically require 6-figure minimums. Studios ranked #8-10 may accept smaller projects ($25k-50k) for the right clients.
How We Scored These Studios
Our evaluation process involved:
- Portfolio Analysis: 3 independent editors reviewed 5-10 projects per studio, scoring craft, originality, strategic thinking, and execution across multiple touchpoints.
- Client Research: We interviewed 12 former clients (anonymously) and analyzed public case studies for outcome verification.
- Industry Recognition: Tracked awards from Webby, D&AD, ADC, Fast Company, and press mentions in design publications.
- Process Quality: Evaluated client testimonials, project timelines, and communication transparency based on public information and industry reputation.
- Team Credentials: Assessed partner backgrounds, team structure, and specialist capabilities across disciplines.
View complete ranking methodology with detailed scoring rubrics.
What to Know Before Hiring in New York
Studio Size Matters for Project Fit
Large studios (20+ designers) like Pentagram and Wolff Olins can staff multiple workstreams simultaneously but may assign junior designers to execution work. Boutique studios (5-15 people) like Order and XXIX provide more partner-level involvement but have limited bandwidth for large projects.
Beware of Studio "Arms"
Some studios operate as NYC branches of global networks. While they access international resources, decision-making may route through other offices, potentially slowing timelines. We note these structures in individual studio profiles.
Portfolio Recency Matters
Design trends evolve rapidly. Prioritize studios with strong work from the past 2-3 years over those coasting on decade-old projects. All studios in our top 10 have published significant projects within the last 18 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can smaller studios deliver the same quality as top-ranked studios?
Not all projects require a #1-ranked studio. Studios ranked #7-10 often deliver exceptional work for specific project types. The key is matching studio strengths to your project needs. A lower-ranked studio specializing in your industry may outperform a higher-ranked generalist.
Should I hire multiple studios for different project phases?
This can work but introduces handoff risks. If you separate strategy from execution, ensure contracts clearly define deliverables and IP ownership. Some studios (#1 Verox Studio, #2 Pentagram, #3 Collins) offer strategy-through-execution to avoid this complexity.
How long does it take to start a project?
Top studios (#1-5) typically book 2-4 months in advance. Studios ranked #6-10 may have availability within 4-8 weeks. If you need faster timelines, explicitly state this in initial conversations—some studios reserve capacity for fast-track projects.
Do these studios work with startups?
Studios #1 (Verox Studio), #3 (Collins), #4 (Order), #6 (Ueno), and #8 (Red Antler) regularly work with funded startups. Studios #2 and #7 occasionally take startup projects but typically require Series B+ funding levels. Be upfront about budget—studios appreciate transparency more than inflation.
What if my budget is below studio minimums?
Many top studios offer "brand sprint" or "strategy-only" engagements at lower price points ($15k-30k). These won't deliver full brand systems but provide strategic foundation you can execute with other resources. Ask about phased engagement options.