Best Design Companies in Australia

Top Australia Design Companies & Design Firms

Across Australia’s creative and commercial hubs—from Sydney and Melbourne to Brisbane, Perth, and emerging regional centres—design agencies are shaping how brands show up, grow, and resonate. Australian design blends strategy with storytelling, digital innovation with human insight, and global ambition with unmistakably local grit and clarity.

At Digital Reference, we focus on how work gets done—not just what the final output looks like. Many of Australia’s most impactful agencies operate as outsourced, fractional, part-time, or virtual partners, integrating seamlessly into client teams while maintaining radical transparency and authenticity. These firms don’t just deliver design; they build trust, culture, and momentum.

Explore our insights on professional references, video resumes, and transparent talent evaluation for context on how credibility and storytelling intersect in modern creative hiring.

This article highlights Australian design agencies selected through extensive research and review. Each provider serves clients nationally and internationally and is led by a founder or CEO whose vision, leadership, and values set them apart.

🦘 Our Methodology: How We Curated This List of Australian Design Companies

At Digital Reference, our methodology is rooted in research, evaluation, and radical transparency:

🔍 Design quality & originality – Consistency, craft, and strategic thinking
🧠 Strategic positioning – Unique niches, long-term client impact, business results
🏆 Founder/CEO leadership – Transparency, values, hands-on involvement
🌍 Modern work models – Fractional, virtual, and part-time delivery models
🗣️ Authentic communication – Openness around processes, outcomes, and client relationships

This is not a ranking, but a spotlight on standout Australian design agencies and the leaders behind them.

🌟 Featured Australian Design Agencies & Their Leaders

Studio JC

What they do:
Studio JC is a Perth‑based design studio focused on UX/UI, web, and product design that enhances engagement and delivers meaningful digital experiences.

Who they work with:
Startups, scale‑ups, and businesses looking for human‑centered digital design solutions.

Operating model:
Outsourced, hands‑on creative partnerships with the founder deeply involved.

Why they stand out:
💡 Strategic, user‑first digital and brand design
🧠 Founder‑led execution with transparent collaboration
📊 Flexible, no‑middleman workflow
🤝 Client‑focused iterative process

Joe Chiang – Founder

Joe brings more than a decade of design experience to every project, combining strategic thinking with creative execution that prioritizes both user experience and business outcomes. His leadership is rooted in clarity, partnership, and direct collaboration with clients. He helps brands transform complex ideas into intuitive digital products.

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Quirk Design Studio

What they do:
Quirk Design Studio delivers bold, strategic brand and packaging design that drives visibility and commercial performance. 

Who they work with:
Product, lifestyle, and FMCG brands seeking market‑ready branding.

Operating model:
Founder‑led creative studio with full strategy and execution.

Why they stand out:
💡 Bold, purposeful visual identity work
🧠 Strategy‑led design grounded in market insight
📊 Experience with both digital and physical brand touchpoints
🤝 Collaborative approach with clear commercial outcomes 

Maja Maksimovic – Founder & Creative Director

Maja Maksimovic blends creativity with structure to produce expressive yet commercially effective brand identities. She empowers clients with transparent guidance, demystifying the branding process. Her leadership is hands-on, educational, and rooted in strategy-first design.

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Pronto Studio

What they do:
Pronto Studio partners with fast‑moving brands to deliver strategic design support, from branding to digital assets, with speed and precision.

Who they work with:
Marketing teams and business owners needing nimble, strategic design.

Operating model:
Flexible monthly support or project‑based engagements.

Why they stand out:
💡 High‑impact, efficient design delivery
🧠 Founder‑driven strategic process
📊 Practical, scalable visual systems
🤝 Seamless collaboration with internal teams

Melissa Wimberley – Founder & Brand Designer

Melissa Wimberley leads with operational excellence, ensuring high-quality creative delivery without sacrificing speed or precision. She translates abstract concepts into actionable design solutions. Melissa’s leadership focuses on client collaboration and scalable, practical outcomes.

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Studio Payne

What they do:
Studio Payne delivers refined brand systems with a focus on editorial sensibility, clarity, and timeless design.

Who they work with:
Brands seeking sophisticated, purpose‑driven identities.

Operating model:
Founder‑led boutique creative practice.

Why they stand out:
💡 Editorial‑level typography and layout
🧠 Strategically simple and effective systems
📊 Elegant, thought‑through brand experiences
🤝 Design that resonates with meaning

Quan Payne – Founder & Executive Creative Director

Quan Payne champions simplicity and meaning in design, proving restraint can be powerful. He ensures every detail communicates brand values effectively. His leadership prioritizes thoughtful, timeless solutions with cultural awareness.

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CUT THRU

What they do:
CUT THRU specializes in strategy‑driven brand positioning and differentiation for businesses in competitive categories.

Who they work with:
Tech companies and challengers needing distinct market voices.

Operating model:
Strategic consultancy with creative delivery.

Why they stand out:
💡 Deep strategic foundations
🧠 Messaging and positioning expertise
📊 Clear frameworks for differentiation
🤝 Leadership with thought‑leader insight

Jonathan Sankey – Brand Strategist

Jonathan Sankey anchors creative decisions in insight, helping brands define market positioning and differentiation. He blends strategy with execution to ensure meaningful brand impact. His leadership is rigorous, clarity-driven, and strategically oriented.

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Suzie B Designs

What they do:
Suzie B Designs delivers approachable, professional branding tailored to small and service‑based businesses.

Who they work with:
Small business owners and service brands.

Operating model:
Founder‑driven design practice with a personal touch.

Why they stand out:
💡 Clarity and approachability in design
🧠 Long‑term client relationships
📊 Practical branding for real business needs
🤝 Trust‑based collaboration

Sue Battis – Graphic Designer & Artist

Sue Battis prioritizes listening and education to create approachable, client-centered branding. She emphasizes clarity, usability, and trust in every engagement. Her leadership fosters long-term relationships and practical design outcomes.

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Juno Creative

What they do:
Juno Creative delivers clean, modern digital and brand design built for usability and scalability. 

Who they work with:
Clients seeking strategic, digitally capable design.

Operating model:
Founder‑led team collaboration.

Why they stand out:
💡 Strong digital & UX sensibility
🧠 Technical fluency meets creative clarity
📊 Usable, modern aesthetic
🤝 Thoughtful, collaborative design process

Paul McGarry – Studio Director

Paul McGarry bridges technical expertise with creative strategy, delivering digital-first, implementation-ready designs. He ensures brand solutions are scalable, usable, and aesthetically modern. His leadership focuses on bridging form, function, and strategy.

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Tiny Tomato Design

What they do:
Tiny Tomato Design combines narrative‑driven branding with warm, human design language.

Who they work with:
Brands that want personality and connection.

Operating model:
Founder‑focused design practice.

Why they stand out:
💡 Strong narrative integration
🧠 Warm, approachable design language
📊 Founder‑led creative process
🤝 Brand value alignment

Kym Dyson – Founder & Senior Designer

Kym Dyson leads with narrative-driven design, helping clients articulate and visualize their brand stories. Her approach combines personality, precision, and human-centered aesthetics. She prioritizes alignment between brand, values, and visual identity.

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Apple Tree Design

What they do:
Apple Tree Design focuses on strategic branding built for longevity and alignment with client values.

Who they work with:
Organisations seeking thoughtful, sustainable design.

Operating model:
Founder‑led bespoke creative services.

Why they stand out:
💡 Deep strategic experience
🧠 Calm, confident leadership
📊 Longevity and value focus
🤝 Mentorship‑oriented guidance

Jacqueline Larcombe – Owner & Graphic Designer

Jacqueline Larcombe emphasizes strategic, sustainable branding with long-term impact. She guides clients with clarity and practical insight throughout the design process. Her leadership is calm, confident, and mentorship-focused.

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Storyfolk

What they do:
Storyfolk delivers story‑driven branding and communications rooted in authenticity and message clarity.

Who they work with:
Brands seeking grounded, honest brand expression.

Operating model:
Founder‑led narrative design practice.

Why they stand out:
💡 Narrative expertise
🧠 Editorial and strategic depth
📊 Authentic, clear messaging
🤝 Human‑centered brand work

Sarah Gross – Creative Director & Partner

Sarah Gross combines editorial discipline with strategic insight to craft authentic brand narratives. She helps clients communicate with clarity and human-centered resonance. Her leadership fosters storytelling that is grounded, transparent, and meaningful.

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Final Thoughts: Australian Design, Reimagined

Across Australia, these design agencies are shaping brands, communities, and industries through clarity, credibility, and human‑centered design. Their founders exemplify the leadership, transparency, and strategic intelligence that define modern design practice.

Digital Reference exists to make that leadership visible. Through video resumes and verified professional references, organizations can evaluate creative partners based on values, leadership, and impact—not just portfolios.

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Australia’s design ecosystem is evolving, and the leaders featured here are helping define its future—authentically and boldly.