The Full Spectrum of Design Consultants: Who’s Who in the Design Ecosystem

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From product innovation to brand storytelling, here's your guide to the wide world of B2B design consulting.

Design isn’t just about making things beautiful—it’s about making things work. And behind much of the functionality, appeal, and strategic success of modern products, experiences, and brands are design consultants. These experts span an enormous range of disciplines, working across physical, digital, and experiential spaces.

At Digital Reference, we believe in demystifying professional services—and the design world is no exception. Whether you’re a startup founder, product manager, or brand leader looking to hire the right kind of design partner, here’s a breakdown of the various types of design consultants you’ll find across the B2B landscape.

Industrial & Physical Product Design Consultants

These consultants work in the realm of tangible products—from gadgets to furniture to packaging.

• Industrial Design Consultant – Designs electronics, tools, furniture, and appliances with an emphasis on usability and manufacturability.
  
  
• Packaging Design Consultant – Crafts packaging that balances structure, branding, and logistics.
  
  
• Ergonomic Design Consultant – Optimizes human-product interaction for comfort, safety, and efficiency.
  
  
• Consumer Product Design Consultant – Focuses on items like wearables and home gadgets that marry functionality with aesthetics.
  
  

Visual, Brand & Marketing Design Consultants

This category is all about visual storytelling and brand communication.

• Graphic Design Consultant – Delivers visual clarity and hierarchy across marketing channels.
  
  
• Logo Design Consultant – Develops brand marks that distill identity into a single graphic.
  
  
• Brand Identity Design Consultant – Builds full visual ecosystems: fonts, colors, guidelines, and more.
  
  
• Marketing Design Consultant – Designs digital and print assets for campaigns.
  
  
• Presentation Design Consultant – Creates engaging decks for sales, pitches, or investors.
  
  
• Illustration Consultant – Offers custom visuals that enhance brand, editorial, or media work.
  
  

Built Environment & Experience Design Consultants

These professionals shape physical and spatial experiences.

• Interior Design Consultant – Designs commercial or retail interiors for function and brand alignment.
  
  
• Architectural Design Consultant – Plans and visualizes the structure of buildings and spaces.
  
  
• Exhibition/Environmental Design Consultant – Crafts immersive brand experiences in museums, events, and trade shows.
  
  
• Retail/Store Design Consultant – Optimizes in-store journeys to improve engagement and conversion.
  
  
• Set & Scenic Design Consultant – Designs environments for film, stage, or live productions.
  
  

Service & Systems-Oriented Design Consultants

These consultants apply design thinking to processes and customer journeys.

• Service Design Consultant – Designs user experiences across platforms, channels, and services.
  
  
• Design Thinking Consultant – Facilitates creative problem-solving workshops to innovate on product or service delivery.
  
  
• Innovation Consultant (Design-Led) – Leads organizations through concept development, prototyping, and experimentation.
  
  
• Strategic Design Consultant – Embeds with leadership teams to connect design execution with business goals.
  
  

‍ Specialty & Cross-Disciplinary Consultants

Design shows up in unique ways across industries and platforms.

• Fashion Design Consultant – Develops clothing lines or branding for fashion houses.
  
  
• Automotive Design Consultant – Creates concepts for vehicles and interfaces.
  
  
• Game Design Consultant – Builds game systems, interfaces, and narratives.
  
  
• Sound Design Consultant – Designs immersive or branded audio for digital products and spaces.
  
  
• Accessibility Design Consultant – Ensures products are inclusive and usable for people of all abilities.
  
  

How to Become a Design Consultant

Design consulting blends creative expertise with strategic application. Here's how to build a career in this space:

1. Develop Deep Expertise

Start with a strong foundation—through formal education, hands-on studio work, or apprenticeships.

2. Build a High-Impact Portfolio

Clients want to see real-world impact: how you solve problems, improve outcomes, or elevate experiences.

3. Learn Business Language

Translate your work into metrics—growth, usability, efficiency—not just creativity.

4. Niche Down and Position Well

Whether it's SaaS pitch decks or ergonomic retail displays, specificity builds trust.

5. Start Freelance, Then Scale or Specialize

Most consultants start as freelancers and either evolve into agencies or go deep in a specialty.

Typical Salary of a Design Consultant

Design consultant income varies based on niche, geography, and whether you're solo or part of a firm:

Annual Range (USD)

Industrial / Product Design Consultant

$75,000 – $160,000

Brand Identity / Graphic Design Consultant

$60,000 – $140,000

UX / Digital Product Design Consultant

$85,000 – $180,000

Interior / Environmental / Retail Consultant

$70,000 – $150,000

Service / Innovation / Strategic Consultant

$100,000 – $250,000+

Freelance / Boutique Design Studio Founder

$100,000 – $300,000+

Where to Find Design Consultants

If you're looking to hire or partner with a design consultant, start here:

1. Digital Reference – Curated lists of top-tier B2B consultants in design, engineering, operations, and more. We vet professionals based on experience, references, and industry outcomes.
   
   
2. Dribbble & Behance – Visual portfolios from creatives around the world.
   
   
3. Toptal & Upwork – Freelance marketplaces with pre-vetted talent.
   
   
4. LinkedIn – Use filters for location, industry, and service keywords.
   
   
5. Clutch.co – Reviews and directories for design agencies.
   
   
6. Local Design Networks & Slack Communities – Places like ADPList, Designer Hangout, or Ladies That UX offer access to emerging and seasoned talent.

Final Thoughts - Design Consultants

Design consultants are more than creatives—they’re critical problem-solvers, storytellers, and system builders. Knowing the type of design consultant you need can save you time, money, and ensure your vision gets executed with precision.

At Digital Reference, we’re building the go-to platform for identifying high-quality B2B service providers, including design consultants across specialties. If you’re looking to connect with vetted professionals who understand both design and business impact, browse our insights or connect with us.

Learn more about Digital Reference, Our Vision, and Mission

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- Cheers, The Digital Reference Team