The 15 Best Design Agencies in Chicago for 2024

There’s so much to love about Chicago. With its vibrant music scene, staggering architecture, famous deep-dish pizza and iconic neighborhoods, it attracts an increasing number of visitors every year.

As a Chicago local, you’ll know it takes a lot for brands to stand out in the city, and businesses need top-tier design work if they want to get noticed. Consider this brand awareness survey, for example: Up to 60% of consumers say they avoid companies with poorly designed assets, with unattractive logos being the main offenders.

You’re in luck, though. Chicago has an abundance of accomplished design agencies adept at creating eye-catching digital content and print collateral. But which one could benefit your business the most? Let’s explore the 15 best design agencies in Chicago for 2024–spoiler alert: Superside is number one!

How to Choose the Best Design Agency for Your Business in Chicago

Even when you know exactly what you’re looking for, choosing a design agency to partner with isn’t always simple. For starters, the world is packed with exceptional graphic design agencies and many different factors to weigh up.

If you’re looking for an easy way to ensure design success, follow these three steps.

The right creative agency or graphic designer can help get your campaigns to market faster, alleviating some of the common creative bottlenecks internal teams can face, too.

Be cautious, though. There are many different kinds of design services and only some agencies or designers can deliver what you need. Your first step: Research and shortlist your best options, and then compare what the different creative firms offer.

15 Best Design Agencies in Chicago for 2024

Which firms are the true standouts within the Chicago design landscape? Let’s take a look.

1. Superside

Services offered:

UX/UI design
Product design
App design
Identity and branding
Web design
Graphic design
Illustration
Ads and social media design
Motion graphics and video production
AR and 3D design
Print, packaging and merch design
Branding services
Concept design
Presentations, eBooks and report design

Superside has extensive experience designing for the Chicago market, and our talented team of more than 700 top creatives worldwide is backed by powerhouse AI tools. This powerful combination of human talent and artificial intelligence positions us to deliver exceptional, localized designs fast and flawlessly.

We also offer the full range of design services through our unique subscription model. So, whether your next campaign needs standout ad creative or augmented reality to capture your audience’s attention, you’re covered.

We also believe in complete price transparency. Every type of design your heart desires is conveniently included in a single monthly subscription plan.

Location: Chicago and worldwide: Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia

Pricing: Starting at $5,000 per month.

Great for: Mid-market and enterprise-level businesses needing support with any design service, as and when required.

2. 1Brand Design

(Source: 1Brand Design)

Services offered:

UX/UI design
Identity and branding
Web design
Graphic design
Illustration
Social media marketing
Video production and animation

1Brand Design is a sales-oriented design agency that has collaborated with numerous prominent companies across the finance sector, as well as businesses in B2C sales, manufacturing and green technology.

1Brand offers its clients the full range of design options, from web design services and SEO optimization to print campaigns, brand identity and video marketing. This agency is one of the more versatile design firms on our list.

An emphasis on marketing and lead generation makes 1Brand a good choice for companies needing extra support in these areas. The agency’s client list includes international enterprises like Fiat and local businesses like Chicago City Roofing.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Finance companies seeking a strong sales-focused creative partner.

3. Concentric Design

(Source: Concentric Design)

Services offered:

UX/UI design
Identity and branding
Web design
Graphic design
Print, packaging and merch design
Presentations, eBooks and report design

Concentric Design is a boutique agency that takes pride in leveraging its design expertise to drive positive change within the Chicago community. This means working with businesses that aim to have a positive impact. It’s no surprise then that many of its clients are in the non-profit and social development sectors.

The agency also brings expertise in serving clients across other key verticals. These include noteworthy engagements within the finance, healthcare and IT sectors.

Concentric Design’s focus on visual identity and branding makes this agency a strong partner for companies seeking a full brand and identity overhaul. The agency is a good option for smaller companies just starting, too.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Non-profit and social good enterprises needing partners with extensive experience in their sector.

4. Rule29

(Source: Rule29)

Services offered:

UX/UI design
App design
Identity and branding
Web design
Graphic design
Ads and social media design
Motion graphics and video production
Print and packaging design
Signage and environmental design

With over 20 years of design experience, Rule29 has a well-deserved reputation as one of Chicago’s top creative agencies. Its design approach prioritizes clarity, innovation and customer engagement as tools to help businesses of all sizes expand their reach.

Rule29 takes pride in its methodical, three-step strategy that underpins every client engagement. At the heart of this approach lies the agency’s proprietary “Creative Matters” process—a specialized framework designed to reliably deliver impactful, results-driven design solutions.

The firm’s portfolio includes startups to Fortune 500s across various sectors. It’s also worked with Microsoft, HP, McDonalds and DC Comics, so you’ll be in good company if you pick them as a design partner.

Location Chicago as well as Denver, Colorado and Los Angeles

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Mid to enterprise-level companies seeking a standardized approach for their design projects.

5. Mabbly

(Source: Mabbly)

Services offered:

Identity and branding
Social media marketing and strategy
Graphic design
Motion design
UX design
Web design

This design studio prides itself on fostering true partnerships with the companies it serves. The team’s take an in-depth approach to understanding each new project, helping to produce eye-catching designs that command attention.

Mabbly is particularly good at identifying key brand problems, like inconsistent messaging or a lack of clarity around target demographics. With these issues identified, the creative team sets out to engineer thoughtful solutions that help the companies they partner with reach their full potential.

Mabbly collaborates with companies of all sizes and has experience in a range of industries, including food and beverage, healthcare and public relations.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Startup to mid-market companies requiring long-term assistance in getting their messaging and marketing campaigns on track.

6. EightySeven

(Source: EightySeven)

Services offered:

Identity and branding
Brand strategy
Web design
Graphic design
Naming
Packaging design
Sound and motion design

This creative agency specializes in brand development and strategy, with a comprehensive suite of services designed to help businesses establish a cohesive, impactful brand identity. They also offer support with designing retail spaces and rolling out signage and environmental design.

EightySeven works with clients across various industries, including hospitality and leisure, food and beverage, real estate, tech and fashion. In fact, this versatile agency is capable of meeting the design needs of most B2C brands.

The firm also offers brand assessments and rebranding services, making it a good choice for companies needing extra help finding a new market niche.

Location: Chicago and Brooklyn, New York

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Retail and hospitality businesses wanting to build a brand from the ground up or pivot their positioning.

7. The Office of Experience

(Source: The Office of Experience)

Services offered:

UX/UI design
Identity and branding
Web design
Graphic design
Social media marketing
Customer journey and experience

In contrast to the more conventional design agencies featured in this lineup, The Office of Experience (OX) offers clients a uniquely specialized service offering. The firm’s expertise lies in helping organizations craft impactful experiences and customer journeys through strategic design.

This agency is a great all-rounder for companies wanting to rethink their marketing approach from the ground up as they also offer support with brand guidelines and print design.

Clients in the OX stable include trucking legends Mack, the Association of Supply Chain Management and several B2B software and eCommerce brands.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Companies seeking design assistance across the entire customer journey.

8. Bark

(Source: Bark)

Services offered:

UX/UI design
Identity and branding
Web design
App design
Graphic design
Print design
Social media marketing
Naming
Product design

As a full-service marketing agency deeply embedded within the Chicago community, this firm has established itself as a trusted partner for local non-profit organizations and iconic institutions. From collaborating with “A Better Chicago” to delivering impactful work for revered Chicago institutions like The Field Museum, the Chicago Park District and The Nature Conservancy, the agency’s portfolio reflects its commitment to empowering the city’s purpose-driven organizations.

Bark Design’s guiding philosophy centers on helping the companies it works with create a unique voice and market position. This is accomplished through the agency’s five-step design process—a framework that helps companies define their place in the market and deploy designs that get them noticed.

In addition to its core branding and visual identity capabilities, Bark Design also specializes in impactful building signage and environmental design solutions.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Educational institutes and non-profit organizations in the Chicago area.

9. Soulsight

(Source: Soulsight)

Services offered:

Identity and branding
Product design
Graphic design
Logo design
Messaging

Soulsight describe themselves as a full-service branding agency that “builds brands that move.” The firm’s focus on developing edgy, engaging brand identities has earned it a reputation as a popular choice among companies seeking a comprehensive brand refresh to captivate younger, discerning target audiences.

The agency offers various design services, including product design, logos, identity design and messaging. Its impressive portfolio reflects engagements with prominent brands, both within the Chicago market and across the United States. Past campaigns include work for Hershey’s, Coors Light, Nike and Walgreens.

Soulsight has experience working on rebranding campaigns for sports teams like the Detroit Pistons and Tennessee Titans. It’s a solid choice for companies in the sports and leisure verticals.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Companies wanting to update their brands to stay relevant with a younger demographic.

10. Mauge

(Source: Mauge)

Services offered:

Product design
Identity and branding
Logo design
Web design
Graphic design
Ads and social media design
Print, packaging and merch design

While Mauge may be one of the smaller design agencies in this lineup, the agency’s caliber of work packs a punch. Driven by an eye for detail and a collaborative, client-centric approach, this team consistently delivers design solutions that are authentically on-brand.

Mauge has established a proven track record of success in serving small to mid-sized companies operating within the real estate, hospitality and automotive industries. This specialized industry expertise positions the agency as a good creative partner for organizations seeking design solutions in these industries.

Mauge’s design experience spans over 25 years since the agency’s founding in 1995, which speaks to their ability to create strong campaign materials and other designs.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Smaller companies seeking a boutique design partner with years of experience.

11. Pivot Design

(Source: Pivot Design)

Services offered:

Identity and branding
Naming
Messaging
Web design
Video production and animation
Event design
Social media marketing

This branding and design agency has a singular focus: Providing cutting-edge marketing services for healthcare companies. The agency works across the pharmaceutical, life sciences, wellness, sports performance and healthcare funding sectors.

Its unique approach includes creating designs that connect with audiences emotionally while adding a human touch to medical and healthcare brands.

Pivot Design has worked with a wide variety of clients, from high-tech startups to some of the biggest companies, including Baxter, Meridian (Centene) and Signify Bio.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Companies in the healthcare and life sciences industries.

12. ArtVersion

(Source: ArtVersion)

Services offered:

UX/UI design
Identity and branding
Web design
Graphic design
Logo and icon design
Signage and environmental design
Packaging design
Product design
Presentations, eBooks and report design

ArtVersion is a full-service design agency with innovation in its DNA. This team is known for combining a strong understanding of print design principles with cutting-edge tech and trends to create impactful customer experiences.

The agency provides a comprehensive range of services, including research, print design, and digital strategy. They could be a good fit if your company is still in the initial stages of creating a unique market position.

ArtVersion has been around longer than most other agencies on this page, and it’s built up an impressive client list. Clients include Morgan Stanley, Caterpillar, Deutsche Bank and Toyota. ArtVersion also works with startups.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Emerging and established brands seeking a long-term creative partner.

13. Kaleidoscope

(Source: Kaleidoscope)

Services offered:

UX/UI design
Packaging design
Product design
Identity and branding

This branding and design firm primarily serves clients in the retail industry. Its expertise is largely in graphic design for food and drink brands, household goods and technology products.

Kaleidoscope’s proficiency in developing packaging prototypes sets it apart. The agency can guide a product concept from the initial ideation stages through to the final on-shelf design. The agency is a good design partner for brands selling their products in physical retail outlets.

Recognizable names in the Kaleidoscope stable include Moët & Chandon, Duracell, Swiss Miss and Dove.

Location: Chicago and New York City

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Retail brands seeking a design partner with packaging and prototyping experience.

14. Monogram Group

(Source: Monogram Group)

Services offered:

Graphic design
Web design
Social media marketing
Identity and branding
Video production
Presentation design

Monogram Group is an award-winning design agency born and bred in Chicago. It offers clients a mix of creative services, brand strategy, data analysis and market research. The firm also offers extensive brand stewardship that includes digital campaigns, trade show support and brand optimization.

Monogram works with clients in green energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and business consulting. It also extensively works with venture capital firms, making the agency a great choice for companies in the finance and investment sectors.

Monogram primarily collaborates with large multinational companies.

Location: Chicago, Illinois with offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenwood Village, Colorado

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Multinationals and enterprise-level companies seeking ongoing brand stewardship in addition to design.

15. ColorJar

(Source ColorJar)

Services offered:

Identity and branding
Web design
Graphic design
Logo design
Packaging design
Environmental design

ColorJar works with organizations of all sizes, from grassroots retail to well-established enterprises. Their team designed some of Chicago’s most recognizable design work, such as the updated logo and packaging design for Navy Pier.

This agency is one of the few entries on our list that offers a service specifically targeting startups. It offers a “speed branding” service to get new businesses off to a flying start. ColorJar is, therefore, worth looking into if you’re a new business trying to find a niche in the city.

The design firm works across industries such as real estate, food and beverage, cybersecurity, sports and leisure and hospitality.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pricing: On request.

Great for: Startups and smaller businesses trying to establish themselves in the Windy City.

Superside Strengthens Chicago’s Design Legacy

There you have it. All the information you need to explore the crème de la crème of design agency offerings. If you’re looking for a design agency in Chicago, the companies on this list are all good choices, but Superside is clearly the best one to help you bring your design vision to life.

If you’re anxious to get started and want to sidestep the legwork, though, book a free demo with the Superside team. We offer lightning-quick turnaround times, a full spectrum of design services, and a simple, straightforward subscription model.