Situated on Wales’ south coast, the city of Cardiff has a whole lot to offer. Alongside its beautiful nature and a whopping amount of castles, it boasts a variety of arts, culture and festivals such as the annual Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival and Cardiff Food & Drink Festival.

But more importantly, Cardiff is an active creative hub, with a reported 8,000+ creative companies employing more than 80,000 people, according to a 2020 study by Clwstwr. This includes one of the largest film and TV clusters outside London, becoming a key part of Cardiff’s economy, boasting media giants like BBC Wales, S4C and ITV Wales.

But beyond this, the design, branding, web design and marketing sectors are also thriving. Here we’ve collected 11 inspiring studios to check out across these disciplines...

Specialism: Branding, Strategy, Art Direction
Company Size: 11-50

Based in Cardiff and Amsterdam, Smörgåsbord is an independent design studio specialising in branding, strategy and art direction. Its services include content, editorial, photography and typeface creation, and its clients range from BBC Sport and Cymru Wales to MTV.

Read more about Smörgåsbord here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Branding, Design
Company Size: 2-10

Departures is a brand and design studio offering services such as brand identity, brand voice and messaging, campaigns and art direction. Clients include Visit Wales, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and the Welsh Government’s free Welsh translation and advice service Helo Blod.

Read more about Departures here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Marketing Communications
Company Size: 51-200

With offices in Cardiff, Cirencester, Leeds and London, Golley Slater is a marketing communications agency operating across the B2B, B2C and public sectors. Offering services such as PR, social, brand activation and strategy, the agency’s clients include Transport for Wales, the Welsh Government and shaving brand Gillette Venus.

Read more about Golley Slater here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Branding, Web Design
Company Size: 11-50

Toward is a design studio specialising in branding and web design, offering services such as visual identity, UX design, motion and strategy. The studios roster of clients include self-discovery tool Yondur, Cardiff City F.C. and A&M Hospitality Group.

Read more about Toward here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Branding, Design
Company Size: 2-10

With services including brand architecture, packaging design, marketing collateral and visual identity, Clout is a brand and design consultancy. Clients include data analytics consultancy Conjura, mental health charity Platfform and community sports club Bridgend Athletics.

Read more about Clout here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Branding, Graphic, Web
Company Size: 2-10

Designdough is a design agency specialising in brand, graphic and web whose services include brand strategy, web design and development, motion and campaigns. The agency’s roster of clients include Discover Cymru, television production company Afanti Media and communications agency Grasshopper.

Read more about Designdough here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Creative, Digital
Company Size: 11-50

Combining creativity and technology with human emotion to create experiences and solutions, Blue Stag is a creative and digital agency whose services include digital product design, branding, campaigns and content. Roster of clients include charity Autistic Minds, the NHS and conservation organisation WWF.

Read more about Blue Stag here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Branding, Graphic design, Web Design
Company Size: 11-50

Limegreentangerine is an independent creative design agency specialising in branding, graphic design and web design. Working both in the private and public sector, the agency’s services include brand guidelines, advertising, prototyping and print. Its clients include the Football Association of Wales, technology consultancy firm Rock and the Welsh Government’s MyTravelPass.

Read more about Limegreentangerine here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Design, Branding
Company Size: 2-10

Set out to partner with clients who share its philosophy of producing the best work possible, Tidy is a design studio that believes that the best work is achieved through the genuine understanding of a client’s need. Offering services such as brand strategy, naming, web design and animation, the studios roster of clients include artisan ice cream brand Llanfaes Dairy, water kefir drink brand PiQi and Bristol landmark development Redland Court.

Read more about Tidy Studio here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Branding, Web, Campaigns
Company Size: 2-10

Girl & Boy is a design and visual communication studio that specialises in branding, websites and campaigns. Working with both small and large businesses to establish voice and deliver messages, the studio’s services include brand identity, visual experiences and immersive websites. Clients include Sport Wales, development Goodsheds and sunglasses brand Solskön.

Read more about Girl & Boy here or check out their Instagram

Specialism: Design, Animation, Video, CGI, Photography
Company Size: 2-10

Offering services such as design, animation, video, CGI and photography, Magenta is a design-led content agency. Its roster of clients include insurance company Admiral, sustainable celebrations brand Eco Nature and pet treat brand Shameless Pet.

Read more about Magenta here or check out their Instagram

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