Lounge Lizard
Top web design and development firm. Specializes in online marketing.
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High-end web design, SEO and e-commerce with award winning results.
Really sharp portfolio of work from an upcoming industrial and interactive designer. Really great and simple site layout shows just enough to tease, and comes loaded heavy with project details if you want more. From sketches, to an amazing student-based mobile platform design, this is a true talent with a portfolio that will not disappoint.... More
Collaborative, creative, and multidisciplinary, Blank & Co. and Built by Blank make up two halves of a complete business building agency. Their skills include developing software and content management systems to creative solutions, user experience designs, and design strategy. Blank is powered by smart decision making and innovative solutions - a nimble and effective agency that gets the "blank" done.... More
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
Schematic is a top agency who value their success in their ability to be cross-disciplinary, and by excelling equally at a network of interwoven fields. They specialize in everything from strategy to QA, copy writing to design, and technology to user experience. In other words, everything a great agency needs to keep expanding in today's advanced new media marketplace.... More
This creative consultancy, marketing, and advertising firm is one hard-rockin', ass-kickin' group of artists. Record covers, book jackets, identity, web sites. You name it – they've done it! If you really want to see what puts them into overdrive, check out the illustration section. (Listed here since 2004)... More
Famous across Asia and the West for her analog music videos, art and creative direction, Nagi Noda recently passed away at age 35 from complications after a car accident. Her work brought her from Japan to NY, most recently being signed to Partizan as a music video and commercial director. Her avant garde explorations in the digital and analog mediums were as powerful and symbolically rich in metaphor, as in their impact. Here are some more links: A news article, A fashion video, Her fashion line, A short film.... More
Blake Brand Workforce is a boutique studio located in Argentina that provides branding solutions for clients around the globe. From logos to print, on-line and on-air, they've developed a little bit of everything... from airport signage to video effects, and a rich mix of bold, colorful logo work.... More
New site for Chilli, a Belgian design and multimedia firm. They take on design projects for classy Belgian firms. From logo design to print, and Flash-based fashion sites, their work breathes with a modern understanding, refined down to its pure classical and minimalist essence.... More
An interactive and motion production studio, with a powerful obsession to detail. They create interactive design, motion graphics and 3D. Pretty much anything with pixels and key-frames... And also some great viral campaigns.... More
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, that showcases their 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
Over the last decade the Portland-based Second Story team of creatives has developed over 80 award-winning interactive projects for the world's outstanding museums, media and cultural institutions. The designers and architects of such wonders as the AIGA Design Archives — their hallmark style is seeped in graphically rich, yet highly-detailed information architecture (IA), where they excel in providing clear and intuitive access to archives and artifacts as well as staging compelling storytelling features for the Web, kiosks and other digital media displays.... More
You may initially recognize Die Gestalten as the book publishing company behind many of the zeitgeist ("spirit of the times") fine art graphic, art and architecture books published since 1995. But dgv also plays a much larger role in developing and designing; Their new media studio, based in Berlin, offers curation and consultation in art direction... and creates corporate design projects, artwork, packaging and film productions for music CD’s and DVD’s as well as web design. Quite a well-rounded firm with a solid core in multiple digital media—this company is definitely one to watch.... More
Whether it be communication design, corporate campaigns, film, book design or stamps, Jung and Pfeffer (a small firm of about 10 people and two offices) is one of the top graphic design firms in Bremen and Amsterdam. This well-awarded agency has talent, smarts and great graphic design work under its belt... as they should, since both of the partners are professors of design (Eckhard Jung - visual design at HfG, Karlsruhe, and Florian Pfeffer - communication design at College of Art, Bremen). They delicately and professionally treat each one of their projects as "treasures", and the output shows a rich and refined graphic and contemporary sensibility that looks to the future at every opportunity. Great work.... More
Cappen launches a cute new site for their online advertising agency—and just to be straight, when we say 'cute', we really mean 'nicely refined, solid and innovative IA, driven by a little flying bird mascot'-level of cute. It's just a different and friendly way to construct a portfolio that many "cooler" designers would not be able to pull off in such an approachable manner. And since Cappen caters to a number of multimedia fields, from online ads to e-mail marketing, it's absolutely correct to engage the largest audience possible by cultivating such a friendly atmosphere.... More
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
Square Circle is a full service creative multimedia agency with a staff of visual artists, developers and producers who interact to create award winning solutions for internet, broadcast, CD/DVD and print. They have one of the slicker 'zooming' flash sites out there, which lets you pan across a virtual work-table of goodies that you can interact with to discover all about the company. Definitely cutting close to the edge of what can be done in high-end web design.... More
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
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
In the world of online freelance designers Jorge Calleja's portfolio stands tall as tour-de-force in interactive Flash, 3D design and motion graphics. His work for some of the top new media firms like Juxt, Exoplolis and Group W consists of only the cream of the crop projects. Apparently, whatever this proudly Mexican designer/artist gets his hands on, turns into bright, multimedia gold.... More
Merging both classicly informed styles and new conceptual work, Jonathan Harris is a new breed of modern day artist working primarily on the Internet. His creative work involves the study and understanding of humans through the artifacts we leave behind on the Web. Harris has explored these ideas in such projects as 10x10, WordCount, Understanding Vorn, and justcurio.us—while his commercial work centers around strong identity work and branding. Originally from northern Vermont, Harris now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Explore openly, read critically, and 'njoy thoroughly.... More
Perhaps you are familiar with the analogy that the best barber in town has the worst haircut? Well, such is the case with Andersen M Studio, an oustanding independent creative studio with a less than spectacular website. It was formed by graphic designer, photographer and musician Martin Andersen (MA, RCA) in 2001, and because the site itself isn't Flashy or extremely well kept, it tells us something about the artists behind the work... For one, that they are too busy art directing cd sleeves, cranking out great print work, and making original music to be bothered with the ins and outs of HTML, CSS, and all the rest. Be sure not to miss their amazing little stop motion film either (see thumbnail).... More
Belle & Wissell, Co. is an award-winning design studio that specializes in creating new types of audience experiences - in exhibit spaces, retail environments, and on the Web. Founded by Gabe Kean in 2003 (formerly known as Gabe Kean Design), the studio focuses on content creation, a/v exhibit design, and curatorial services for museums, media companies and retail brands. Belle & Wissell embraces its diverse commissions which include complete exhibits, interactive art installations, retail environments, media kiosks, and online experiences.... More
Heavenspot is a fun, L.A.-based full service interactive agency specializing in multiplatform branding solutions. Which means simply that they produce everything from websites to motion video, advertising and logos, and sometimes even games and ilustrations. Their site "mascot" is a funny little face that seems to have no real purpose except to make you think they are "kinda funky". The true tale of the tape is in their deep portfolio of work, which is worth more than a simple glossing. 'Njoy.... More
Hailing "Hola" from Spain, E'motive Project is a professional multidisciplinary studio based in Cádiz. Mixing different creative fields as art and illustration projects, animation and graphic design for print, the E'motive personell create a diverse range of work that spans across many different styles... but usually has an edgy, urban and decidedly upbeat appeal. Lots of fun work in a strong portfolio, we especially liked their exhibit onoplastica - an illustrated interpretation of Christian iconography.... More
Mook is a very visually driven creative digital consultancy based in the UK. Their work revolves around digital communications, be it advertising, marketing or technology... and the results are quite powerful. Even their home site runs like a series of ads for a number of top products - from Diesel to PSP, mook has their finger on the pulse of digital media and invigorates it with new ideas from a powerful team of creative specialists.... More
This is the portfolio of Argentinian creative director, live video artist and electronic musician, Miguel Vega. And in his portfolio, work imitates life - many of the projects Miguel produces center around the music industry - from club flyers to vinyl sleeve designs, identity design to motion video work. Music is much a part of this artists life as the visuals he creates.... More
why not associates is a British branding and graphic design company who create vivid designs for clients in business, government and the public sector. For almost two decades (at this posting), why not associates has been creating innovative works in many different media on many types of projects, including corporate identity, digital design, motion graphics and television commercial direction, editorial design, environmental design, publishing, and public art and art installations for specific communities. Impressive and thoughtful work.... More
Ultra16 is an interactive multimedia company with offices in NYC and San Francisco. Their strategy is: "Communicate, Relate, Succeed," and underneath each of those headings one can find a specific plan... in fact, their rules are so well honed, they've painted them on the walls in their hallways. Their specialties right now are web design for the media/entertainment and fashion/beauty industries—and this work for clients in the public eye will continue to push Ultra16 into the limelight as they continue to grow.... More
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
Trail-blazing through dense tumbleweeds of misinformation and a world or irrelevant marketing, Sapient is a trim, efficient machine. The company aims to “have great wisdom and discernment," and continue to nourish fine talent. Once the leader of the web design pack, this company would probably be the best source of classic corporate web sites today if the bubble hadn’t burst. They continue to aim high with large scale branding and business strategy design for high-end clients in energy & utilities, financial services, hospitality, and entertainment industries.... More
HUGE has been the central planning and product definition hub for some of the largest and most complex projects online. This includes brand, technology and design for clients such as JetBlue, IKEA and AOL. Ultimately, this has led to a whole different kind of agency culture. Simply banging out seductive visual design doesn’t count as a job well done here. It's all part of a meta-process and management culture. We like the philosopy, and the results speak for themselves.... More
Oh how sweet it is! Sublime design presented in a fun and distinctive format. The introduction to this Spanish company is a playful example of the technological skills that have earned this firm the numerous awards that bounce across their intro page. The expertly planned and yet seemingly spontaneous works section holds a collection of unique web and print designs ranging from logotype to TV commercials with only one consistency – superb execution. In layman’s terms… They rock.... More
How do you sum up a company like Fitch? For over 30 years, with 20 studios in 12 countries, Fitch is a true globe-trotter with an extraordinary range of design capabilities. Their online home base is a powerhouse worth an extended visit. Projects range fom developing an Automatic Public Toilet with a self-cleaning floor (for Adshel) to an award-winning recruitment film for the British Army to the packaging design for Ben&Jerry's.... More
Trevor Jackson is a London based creative force who began a convoluted career in music and the arts by designing record sleeves. He currently works in graphic design, art direction, moving image, music writing, remixing, installations and performance arts. In the "design world", he has created many iconic and classic record cover sleeves, bus is also just as well known in the "music world" for his eclectic remixes and his record label OUTPUT, and in turn, he creates most of the artwork for the musical artists on the label. His design artwork has been shown in the Guggenheim Museum.... More
Oh Loworks, how many ways can we count how cool you are? The ways are many... For Loworks is a design studio in Japan with its own unique style and approach to design. Centered in part around illustrated mascots of walking speakers and iPods, Loworks does print, animation, interactive art, web design and some pretty funky animated motion design. We loved their uniquely interactive website, and especially the little music area (which you'll have to find yourself). Kudos to a firm that makes their site fun to explore.... More
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
At first glance of the Suponix site and its brushed steel background complete with a reflecting logo and 3D robots, we immediately thought of a single word; "polished". Delving into this Ukraine-based multimedia firm, this was confirmed by a showcase of highly refined and detailed design work. Apparently, Suponix is developing on a 3D cartoon among their other projects, such as web design, Flash, video production and 3D visualization services (read: industrial design). Their web work is quite special too... But to visit Suponix, you have to understand their obsession with 3D, shiny metallic textures, and especially modeling and animating robots. It's pretty cool stuff - definitely not your everyday web design firm, yet it's all nicely packaged, presented and very polished.... More
Anova, the online home of one-man multimedia machine Jesper Bentzen - unlike any other site we've recently viewed, grabs us with a single explosive introduction that showcases a gambit of technical and design abilities. Thus, the mood is set for viewing the portfolio of this young, modern 'renaissance' designer, whose work covers everything from post production to 3D modeling, identity design to web games, and photography to physical art installations. It's very impressive, especially considering the numerous bells and whistles this Flash expert has integrated into his portfolio interface and navigation... it certainly seems like there's nothing in the digital or design realm outside of Jespers' technical reach or artistic grasp. Jesper Bentzen is currently earning his Masters of Arts in Kolding, Denmark - at the time of this posting.... More
In one of the most original illustrated and interactive portfolio interfaces we've seen in recent time, we happily introduce you to a bright and colorful landscape of the PARK studio website. Strong in both packaging and motion design, we were wowed by their fun Flash interface that requires you to 'awaken' the birds from the trees to view the projects. The site trancends language barriers, so you won't need to learn Russian to figure out this firm has a fabulous level of creativity as you view the design projects spanning multiple mediums.... More
In the work and not work of Chris Erickson, we don't find a lot not to love... (pause, absorb). Yes, his work is really nice. And we totally dig the compressed minimalist Flash UI—it gives us a very easy framework from which to view a showcase of his print, identity, packaging and industrial design talents. Set into a grey background, the web and print projects really pop, yet they all still fit snugly on a laptop screen. Now, getting back to the work, it's important that you also don't sleep on the "not work" (play) which unveils a compassionate and down-to-earth side to this talented multimedia designer. Great stuff there, not here.... More
"Quality is a habit" at this unique branding and advertising agency based in Colombia... a quote verified simply by visting their online Flash portfolio - with 2,500 lines of Flash ActionScript, Enigmind.com took more than a year to develop and organize! But beyond just an immersive GUI and one-of-a-kind site, the designers at Enigming span a range of talents, creating everything from identity to industrial design and print. Although limited to a few select case studies at this posting, certainly, future projects from this South American design firm will be something to watch.... More
Mogollon is collection of graphic design, production design, branding, illustration and motion graphics by a fresh, young duo who met while working on a film documentary for PS1/MoMa. They produce some interesting work spanning a range of media that has a youthful appeal and is still in a process of evolving. They even had a steaming series of music accessible from their site dubbed "Mogollon FM" which you can just click and play. These two are true kids of the multimedia age, getting their fingers messy in any way that they are able.... More
B-Reel is a Swedish full motion and interactive design company that puts the activity in creativity. As implied by their name, they do motion design, commercials and on-air promos, but they also have been in the business of crafting cutting-edge web experiences since 1999. Much of their work is for home-based Swedish clients, but rest assured, even if you don't know the language or the clients, it all shines with top-notch multimedia interactivity.... More
Taking their name in part from a quote by a famous science fiction writer, WSDIA (We Should Do It All) is a Brooklyn, New York-based graphic, interactive, and architecture multi-disciplinary design studio. Sticking with that simple theme of diversity, WSDIA designs, develops and mediates interactive, print, motion and architecture projects for clients in a wide array of professions - such as the arts, architecture, advertising, fashion, and media. Truly one to watch, their work has very crisp, and futuristic egde - from the typography choices to the themes and clients, each project rings out with a clean, bright and youthful appeal. Therefore, it's no surprise that WSDIA was recently named to The Art Director’s Club, 'Young Guns 5' for 2006. The future is certainly bright for this talented collective and company who are ready to take on whatever comes their way.... More
More fun than quality time with the PS2! 2Advanced has their demographic in the cross-hairs with an interface straight from the sci-fi channel. We don’t care if they’re trekkies or techies (or a highly advanced hybrid of the two) – the work shines like C3PO’s butt. They say they employ the world’s finest, web, motion and graphics folks - well, we believe them – just about every byte on the site proves it. This latest verision (V.5) is no exception, and exemplifies the company's most complex blend of user aesthetics and backend technology to date. Their redesign includes internationalization features, XML based data caching system, Dynamic Deep Linking, and entirely dynamic content. Big words that mean this Flash site works as good as it looks... It's just as rich and complex as the futuristic background illustrations that embellish each area. Forget that it takes us 5-6 clicks to locate a... More
Hmmm... A2/17. Not exactly the most descriptive name (sounds more like my flight and gate number). So, where to take off and describe this collective of 4 German multimedia artists? Well, they are composed of 4 different types of directors, animators, stop-motion, 2D and 3D artists. So, any visit to A2/17 means you have to visit the sites of: Hendrik Niefeld (concept, direction and animation), Egmont Mayer (3D stop motion artist), Frederik Ring (direction, animation and illustration), and Stefan Schomerus. They are directors. They are designers. They are animators. They are 3D. They are 2D. They are stop motion. Now we understand! They are A2/17... flight boarding now.... More
Milky Elephant is a professional collective of three unique design artists based in New York. This collective consists of Karl Ackermann, Eun-Ha Paek and Mumbleboy (a.k.a. Kinya Hanada), who together make installations, games, illustrations, music videos, animated series, and artistically inspired designs. They work on an eclectic variety of funky projects spanning from toy design to viral interactive e-postcards that you've probably helped spread. Very quirky, often miniture and cute, it seems like they have a niche around being silly and youthful, which also shows in the variety of mediums they like to craft their projects (everything from coin purses to TV interstitials). Also check out The Milky Shop, the cool pink retro nav (that we really like) and the sites of the three design artists.... More
To express an idea in a book is one thing, but to express three concepts in only three pages is always better, especially if you are running low on time... And as we see in these three conceptual renderings, personal time, and how we use it, is always at issue. These minimalist prototypes were created to either save time, or consume your time altogether; from an all-in-one credit card & phone to rosary beads-style TV remote control, we can see both the humor and the immediate potential to market such items in this day of hyper media and consummerism - stranger things are selling right now! Such is the foresight of industrial designer Dima Komissarov, a Russian born author of more than 400 design works, objects, visual identities, prints, web sites... and futuristic items that our children will soon find commonplace. Operative word: soon.... More
An interpretive design studio that produces beautiful interactive educational experiences… And they do it well – with a beautifully structured, richly ambient web presence that mirrors the award winning projects they’ve completed. Experts in storytelling and specializing in highly interactive online exhibits built from databases on up, Terra Incognita provides the destination as well as the journey—like public broadcasting 24/7.... More
Opus's services have multiplied over the years since they've been listed here... sure, this full service design studio has some great creative graphics... but it doesn't end there. Started by three techno-savvy guys in Portland, Oregon, Opus:Creative has handled campaigns for the likes of Flowerbud, Nike, and Outrigger/OHANA Hotels. And now they offer everything from branding to hosting, application design to e-commerce. It's "work that works." And continues to grow.... More
Monsoon impresses us mightily. Want to know why? They don't just list their clients and show portfolios of their work. They list their clients, describe the specific challenge each of them offered, explain how they dealt with the challenge, and then reveal the result. So a visit to their site will tell you how they helped Wu Tang Clan's last album go triple platinum. And also how they made the Urban Outfitters online store turn a profit in record time. It's downright inspiring to read how productive they are. We'd like to share our challenges with them any day of any week.... More
We hereby forgive Mr. Chevrel for referring to himself as a “creative technologist”—his portfolio is a tightly orchestrated display of his programming skills and artistic ventures. His work focus is around information management and the design of data structures for cultural institutions and the entertainment industry. A lot of the time this leads to the creations of cool charts and maps – but is also expressed in his own brand of technology based alternative art, which is complex, yet thoroughly interactive.... More
ZAAZ has a lot of (dare we say it) pizaaz. They provide platform-based web solutions that range from consumer brands to interfaces for all sorts of business utilities. Where they really shine is in their custom-made interfaces for everything from traffic analysis to Washington Mutual Bank. Where would we all be without ZAAZ? Using boring, old-fashioned ATMs, that's where.... More
This portfolio storefront is actually full of advertising clichés - both visual and verbal – but the quality of work here makes it all a pleasure. The Ignited Minds group says they know their asses from their elbows, and we have to agree. The cyber chicks look lusty and dangerous, the electronics look sleek and dangerous and the men all look like baseball hall-of-famers and, uh, dangerous -– and all in a happy-go-lucky sort of way. Ignited Minds also choose to eschew words like “edgy” and “extreme.” Okay, now we really like these guys.... More
Simply smashing! Everyone will recognize at least one project from what originated as a three-player team in Seattle, WA. In less than a decade, Smashing Ideas Inc. has come up with some spectacular gilt & flash projects for online games, interactive video and advertising of all sorts. The site is all pro, the samples all impressive. A visitor can remix Madonna’s "Music" video in one playful sample. G'head. Impress yourself.... More
You can't really say "Been there, done that" when the "there" and the "that" are as attractive as what Converged Technologies offers. Sure, we've seen plenty of portfolios from design companies who expertly converge software like Maya and Flash to create attractive interactive websites or online campaigns; but Converged is topnotch. Be sure to check out their transparent automobiles.... More
Dry puts it up front: they're addicted to consumerism, and they make ads, as well as short films, that make people want to buy things. Their campaigns are specifically marketed towards teenagers, so their site features clever graphic designs, flashy images, and sexy women in jeans. Their site is actually hard to navigate – we're still not sure what's what – but at least it looks cool, which is probably all that matters to teenagers.... More
Firstborn does really lovely, effective work that isn't limited to websites—they reach all the way to the relatively antique advertising method known as printing brochures. You know, the kind of thing that uses paper? Check out their website for more info on who they are, what they do, why you'd want to work with them, etc. You'll join an impressive, eclectic bunch: Bacardi, Calvin Klein, Madonna, Columbia University. Sounds like a great party.... More
From Madison, Wisconsin, this advertising, design, and active media company utilizes simple, dark toned visuals. This ensures that, as their name suggests, your message – the words, with their ambiguous meanings, manipulations, and management – gets the spotlight. On Planet Propaganda, the message shines through the medium—which can include anything from packaging to posters to video promotions.... More
Tractor's designs are instant, easy, and entertaining. Their comprehensive designing service plows through all kinds of media with efficiency and simplicity; it was created for use by the "Average Joe". From branding to broadcast, animation to print design, and video and film to custom software. Rectangular boxes become trapezoids as the classical musical accompaniment is replaced by jazz. And that drab business-suit blue is transformed to a lighter, brighter, more casual shade. The work is sleek and stylish, clear cut, and to the point.... More
This Navyblue is anything but traditional and staid. They work with the UK's leading businesses, using websites, extra- and intranets, CD-ROMS, and plasma screen technologies to strategize brand building campaigns. Somewhat retro, Navyblue is cool and confident with their hip, in-your-face visuals. Highly-charged images, colors that glow, and designs that inspire. If you are looking to drastically change from the drab to the dramatic, Navyblue will definitely get you there.... More
In a world full of corporate branding and identity, here's an guy walking the walk just for the heck of it. Eric Cheung (aka BBQ Wing) is a graphic designer, and he's created this site because. . . hey, he wanted to. It's an expression of thoughts and ideas, all in some pretty awesome Flash animations. Think "sharing," not "selling." The site is populated with little animated alter egos of the artist to guide you around. We feel good about this.... More
A photography and eclectic design firm, Andy Lim's special talent areas appear to be in corporate identities and product branding. This is a smooth, impressive portfolio. Get into this guy’s head as you surf his sub-websites.... More
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
IDEO goes beyond the idea, and offers not only concept solutions but assists in concrete production. Noticeable contributions to the foundation of computer technology include 'eLisa', the first production mouse made for Apple, and the Palm V, both historical pieces in the evolution of digital networking technology. Pushing their concept of “head in the sky [with] feet on the ground, the heavens are truly the limit for these reality dreamers.... More
Willkommen zu I-D Media…this German-based firm seeks to give a new I.D. to European design. Geared more toward selling service concepts and a little less on showcasing the works themselves, the site voices their commitment to re-creating strategy and marketing plans.... More
Leapfrogging over the competition, Frog design initially staked its claim in small pond/ long name city of Mutlangen Schwabisch Gmand, Germany. Constant globe hopping and a broad colorful appeal has sprouted frogspawn throughout the world, introducing five new offices including their central headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. With major players like Disney and Microsoft hopping on board, Frog Design's founders are already princes in the eyes of many.... More
Across the pond, the influential work of the Addison Group towers like Big Ben over Britain. From establishing campaigns for the leading contenders in travel, retail services and utilities, Addison keeps a steady design eye on the pulse of the English beat. While expunging delightfully detailed goals of each individual client and their respective projects, glaring lack of flash parts and a failure to provide popups or expanding thumbnails provides a few subtractions in Addison’s otherwise check-plus performance.... More
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a flashy website transcends the need for language altogether. The other-wordly animations on the flash site of Machbar delight! The dynamic navigation left us wanting more! More examples! More design! Bright colors will intrigue you. Oooo. No-nonsense design will excite you. Aaah. Overall, a feel good company that earns the rating: Gut and Gerne!... More
Elro provides cutting edge media content, from the simplest Flash animation to Jurassic Park-style dinosaurs. Well, maybe not that cutting edge -- but Elro's site does emphasize their 360ok design department, which provides 3D models for pretty much any sort of application your heart may desire. Want an interactive automobile model in three dimensions to grace your homepage? They can probably provide it. Want as awesome Flash-based movie promoting Legos? You're in luck, because they've already provided it. It's called Brickolizer, and it's the bees knees -- check it out, along with the rest of their swell portfolio.... More
Crash!Media has designed, among other things, a DJ-centric site for Bacardi (speaking of Bacardi and music, we've been wondering if Bacardi gets a commission every time a rapper rhymes their product with 'party'). You know those web design companies that look like they'd be a lot of fun to work for, if only you were as insanely talented as the people already working for them? Yeah, well, this is one of them. That's why they've got the exclamation point right there in their name.... More
These guys are just plain cool – they have the product and they aren’t afraid to make a song & dance of it – literally. Websites, video, audio (their favorite media/pastime), a dash of print and a liberal sprinkling of branding over all. It’s also worth mentioning that the products are styled to suit the individual clients. Stick a Fork in it – it’s done.... More
A staff of nine works, plays and builds for this Midwestern company. Square One focuses on the art of presentation through display - installations that can include ceiling suspended mobiles (their apparent 'trademark' for signage) and illuminated flooring. Services also include naming, branding and a nifty little sister site, "Where is the Bathroom?" that provides iconic illustrations for just about any use you might have (including "here's the bathroom".)... More
A good small-to-mid sized design firm, Texture Media's case studies show a thorough understanding of identity and all it entails... while direct mail, CD-ROM, interactive communications and custom applications compliment the online presence of clients. The graphic design elements are solid and the communication bases are well covered. Mainly building brands for Colorado-based business and ski-slopes... ah, the snow bum life!... More
Ladies and Gentleman, Digitalthread is pleased to present, The Big Boys. With offices peppered over Europe, Asia and North America, strategic location is merely a hint at the skills this communication catch-all holds. Indulge us for a moment, you're a corporation looking for some design firepower and we're a wise-guy reviewer. You want brand experience events and environments? Check. New media presentations for financial roadshows? Check. Perhaps, film, websites, live performance or even interior design? Check, check, check, check. You get the point? The projects are as impressive as the client list - but we have the sneaky suspicion they don't do missing dog flyers. (Snobs.)... More
There are sharks and fishies swimming around this home page, because "by land or by sea, airship or spaceship", (and you can choose one of these as your backdrop) the crew of Power Design are "idea pioneers!" Yes, there is that certain fun quality about this company and its design style that indicates a proliferation of entertaintment industry clients. Even their Delaware County SPCA web site has that certain showbiz flavor, although they do (indeed, must) sober up for the American Anti-Vivisection Society. Overall, the out-dated site is a hinderance to viewing the full scope of their projects.... More
Antenna: for crystal clarity with an artistic and futuristic spin in concept, design and application of anything from a New York City Transit metroliner, information kiosks, PDAs, and visual displays, to computer graphics and page designs. Antenna, a company created by Japanese design engineers Masamichi Ugadawa and Sigi Moeslinger, adjusts to make any vision possible in the commercial as well as public sectors, for any culture’s user needs and technological purposes.... More
Remember as a kid how you never wanted to run out of ink? Same concept here. Staining art critics with its deft touch, upstart Ink & Co. utilizes fine photography and even finer models in many of their campaigns. The client list is a little heavy on the fashion side, but who thought Ink would go so well with clothes?... More
The word "Growth" greets you when you visit this fine Russian export, and that is the mission of asakara creative station. This portfolio boasts an impressive list of clients in the entertainment and fashion industry, no doubt attracted by the deft multimedia skills of Sakara. Packaging skills wrap this web bundle into a great little gift. G'head. You deserve it. You know you do.... More
Fluid perfectly describes the smooth flowing journey we made throughout this web site. While Shockwave provides guard duty for the uninitiated, those who gain access are offered an excellent high definition presentation. Slick interactive features. Impressive material. You might just forget to come up for air.... More
The brainchild of realist illustrator Karen Ingram, Krening features a montage of eclectic styles that meld into an expressive hybrid born of anatomy illustrations and inked macabre. Making good use of flash and graphic design to create cleverly animated montages, a shortage of meaty samples raises the only deficiency in an intentionally decaying portfolio.... More
The Fuse is lit and set to explode in the UK…or is it? The flash intro cleverly injects the targeted corporate market with playful, colorful, and energetic visuals. But rather than dazzle with an explosive design, a tour of their html site reveals an elementary structure and a sparse portfolio. This lit Fuse promises fireworks but fizzles rather than sizzles, leaving visitors burned and unfulfilled.... More
