While Houston has lately been highlighted for its burgeoning tech scene, the city is also experiencing a renaissance of a more creative kind. Just as techies are flocking to the Bayou City, so are young creatives, drawn in by its relative affordability, rapid growth and collection of creative spaces. One so-called “creative campus,” Sawyer Yards, is located in the city’s historic First Ward and serves as a meeting place for Houston’s artistic community to exchange ideas and explore each other’s projects, as reported by AFAR. Evidently, Houston has developed a strong culture of collaboration, which caters to both tech professionals and eager artists.
As a city that boasts both a growing tech culture and a robust arts scene, Houston is naturally home to many creative and design agencies. These agencies seamlessly blend together art and technology to bring bold ideas to fruition for some of the most recognizable brands throughout Texas and across the nation. Houston’s creative professionals have the expertise needed to help brands launch any type of artistic venture, whether that means creating a new brand image, developing a digital campaign or revamping a website. Take a look at these 14 creative and design agencies in Houston emboldening established brands through artistry and innovation.
Creative + Design Agencies in Houston to Know
- ELL
- Judson Design
- Swagger
- Moostro Creative Studio
- Field of Study
- The Black Sheep Agency
- Prauper
Founded: 2014
What they do: Founded by Robin Blanchette and Deanna Parr, Norton Creative is a full-service creative shop that caters specifically to the hospitality industry. With a focus on restaurant brand development, the agency delivers a wide range of hospitality-specific services such as menu design, prototyping, restaurant concepting, TV commercial production, signage, merchandise design and promotional strategy. Norton Creative’s other specialties include content creation, campaign development, digital ad design and storyboarding.
Who they work with: Au Bon Pain, Joe’s Crab Shack, Tavistock Restaurants and Brick House Tavern + Tap.
Founded: 2017
What they do: Backed by a team of self-proclaimed “creative futurists,” Swagger focuses heavily on developing and designing brands. The agency’s specialties include digital strategy, social media campaign creation, graphic design and motion graphics. Swagger also boasts its own in-house film studio, which is used to create time-lapse videos, marketing films, promotional films and more.
Who they work with: Charming Charlie, Black Walnut Cafe, Hubbell & Hudson and Houston Parks Board.
Founded: 2009
What they do: ELL is a strategic creative studio dedicated to forging relationships between brands and their audiences. The agency offers a broad range of services such as creative content development, social strategy, analytics, research and marketing strategy development, film production, UI design, and front-end development. Past projects include a promotional video for Toshiba and an integrated campaign on behalf of the White House.
Who they work with: Toshiba, Pizza Hut, Houston First and Wordpress.
Founded: 1979
What they do: Established by Mark Judson, Judson Design is a graphic design firm committed to crafting engaging brand experiences. Serving local, regional and national businesses, the firm focuses on services like branding, environmental graphic design, illustration, print collateral, web design and photography. Judson Design’s client base spans a wide range of sectors including hospitality, retail, real estate and education.
Who they work with: Crab Cay, Johnson Space Center, Levcor, Sudhoff Companies and The Clever Kitchen.
Founded: 2017
What they do: Moostro Creative Studio is a multicultural creative studio that specializes in branding solutions. The studio’s expertise includes graphic design, branding, web design, social media management, analytics, photography and videography. Moostro Creative Studio has worked with organizations from a variety of sectors including tech, hospitality and entertainment.
Who they work with: Metaphysic Holistic Portal, Swimmerland, Telo Liquor and Orquesta Mi Rumba.
Founded: 1974
What they do: Natural Graphics Inc. is a design studio and creative agency that specializes in architectural branding design. Working with residential properties across the country, the agency develops visual identities, creates custom signage and crafts multimedia marketing campaigns, overseeing all measurement, permitting, transport and onsite construction needed for each project. Natural Graphics Inc. has completed design work for various types of properties including high-rise apartment complexes, student dorms and senior living facilities.
Who they work with: The Kenzie, Domain at Midtown Park, Carillon and 21eleven.
Founded: 1998
What they do: Launched by David Thompson and Randy Twaddle, Ttweak LLC is a multi-disciplinary branding and communications firm dedicated to helping market leaders achieve their visions. The firm strives to bring a cultural perspective to corporate, political and nonprofit enterprises, offering services like identity package creation, documentary-style video production, web design and development, book publication and ad campaigns development. Ttweak LLC’s client base spans a variety of industries including healthcare, financial services, telecommunications and education.
Who they work with: Texas Children’s Hospital, Crown Castle, Lionstone Investments and Lawndale Art Center.
Founded: 2010
What they do: Founded by Jennifer Blanco and John Earles, Field of Study is an independent design consultancy that focuses on creating brand strategies and crafting brand voices. The company’s specialties include branding strategy, responsive web design, packaging design, e-commerce solutions and brand signage. Field of Study also offers interior design services to organizations from a wide range of industries.
Who they work with: Kolache Shoppe, Interabang Books, Etta’s Kitchen and Element Blue.
Founded: 2013
What they do: 5 + 8 is a creative agency that focuses on advertising, branding and creative strategy. The agency’s design services encompass print advertising, outdoor advertising, digital strategy, animation and videography. 5 + 8’s client base spans a variety of sectors including tech, food and beverage and transportation.
Who they work with: Lyft, Caterpillar, Southern Star Brewing Company and Benoit.
Founded: 2009
What they do: Launched by Aimee Woodall, The Black Sheep Agency is a brand strategy and creative agency that works with cause-driven brands. The agency’s expertise includes brand strategy, social media management, workshops development, design and illustration, community engagement and creative campaigns. The Black Sheep Agency’s mission is to shift perspectives, inspire action and build communities that can create social change.
Who they work with: Better Make Room, Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher and Outside I Can.
Founded: 2009
What they do: Mpire Design Group is a full-service creative agency that specializes in branding solutions and creative engagements. The agency offers a broad range of services such as content planning, prototype development, creative direction, video production, native application development, responsive web design and information architecture. Mpire Design Group is committed to ensuring that connections are forged between clients’ customers and their brands.
Who they work with: Atlantic Coffee Solutions, Aramco Services, Pruneda Real Estate and El Rey Taqueria.
Founded: 2015
What they do: LoveWell Creative is a creative agency dedicated to driving ROI and increased growth for companies. The agency specializes in a variety of strategies including web design, graphic design, aerial photography and videography, creative concepting, copywriting and Facebook advertising. LoveWell has collaborated with clients from a broad range of industries such as manufacturing, real estate, tech and retail.
Who they work with: Jack Daniel’s, Living Water International, Champs Sports and Reliant Energy.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Prauper is a creative marketing agency and design studio that specializes in branding and identity. Their services include logo design, brand guidelines, web design, social media management, brand collateral design, photography and videography. Prauper aims to enhance clients’ brand experiences and increase their bottom line.
Who they work with: Riverway Homes, Cloud 10 Creamery, Seaside Poke and Refine Pharmaceuticals.
Founded: 2017
What they do: Raven Creative is a marketing and creative services agency that focuses on marketing campaigns and brand identity. The agency offers a variety of services such as ad campaign creation, photography and art direction, email marketing, digital media planning and buying, content development and copywriting. Raven Creative’s client base spans a wide range of industries including financial services, healthcare, and oil and gas.
Who they work with: Allegiance Bank, Belmont Village Senior Living, Hess Media and Augusta Midstream.
