Civilization is a design studio that creates digital and physical experiences for fellow designers, architects, cultural institutions, and grassroots organizers.

Designing
for Advocacy

We use design to communicate messages of equity and justice, co-creating with organizers to better serve their communities and raise awareness across critical issues.

  • Abortion Access
  • Anti‑Racist Education
  • Climate Action
  • End‑of‑Life Care
  • Gender Discrimination
  • Gun Violence
  • HIV/AIDS History
  • Houselessness
  • Immigration Rights
  • LGBTQ+ Advocacy
  • Public Health
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Workers’ Rights

Advocating
for Design

We collaborate with leading designers, architects, and cultural institutions to communicate their unique perspectives and connect people with art, design, and education.

  • Architecture
  • Biomimicry
  • Fashion
  • Film
  • Furniture
  • Literary Arts
  • Industrial Design
  • Performing Arts
  • Product Design
  • Visual Arts

Selected Work

AskNature

Nature Inspiring Innovation

Colorful mantis shrimp on sandy ocean floor, illustrating structural materials inspired by marine biology innovations.
Close-up of orange fungi on tree, highlighting their role in cleaning up pollution.
Bat hanging upside down, inspiring innovative sound sensor design by Virginia Tech. Nature-inspired technology, 2021.
Collage of nature images showcasing biological strategies and innovations like elephants, zebrafish, and fynbos landscape.
Close-up image of a mushroom anemone showcasing vibrant colors from sunlight-absorbing proteins.
Olson Kundig

Designing with Principles

Modern office interior with industrial design, featuring wooden beams, large windows, and ample workspace for architectural projects.
Young child pointing by a lake, symbolizing beginnings and exploration. Text reads Our History by Olson Kundig.
a screenshot of an Olson Kundig timeline era
Modern glass building next to a trail with people jogging, showcasing Olson Kundig's architectural design.
Interior view of ANOHA, the Jewish Museum Berlin's children's world, showcasing modern architectural design with curved structures.
Space Needle at dusk with tourists on the rotating glass floor, offering stunning city views and unique perspective in Seattle.
Modern pavilion amidst lush greenery at Leach Botanical Garden, Portland, Oregon, designed by Olson Kundig.
Olson Kundig website menu displaying design sectors, names, and regions above an image of Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.
Architect standing on a modern rooftop with city view, emphasizing evolutionary design.
Tom Kundig's new book, Complete Houses, releasing October 8, 462 projects showcased. Pre-order via Monacelli & Phaidon.
Now Matters Now

Bringing People Together to Prevent Suicide

Black circle with 'now matters now' in white text, emphasizing the importance of the present moment.
Join a Meeting: Online peer support session with Now Matters Now, fostering connection and sharing coping skills. All are welcome.
Elderly woman with glasses and quote on DBT by a psychologist. Text: It is hard to be happy without a life worth living.
Skill of the week: Grounding Skills with Ghazal. Learn techniques to stay calm and centered during anxiety. Now Matters Now logo included.
Text about coping with anxiety and grounding techniques featuring tapping and 5-4-3-2-1 strategy for calmer thoughts.
Smiling person with text: “My grief morphed into life... thanks to community and family, I am thriving.”
Bocci

Allowing for Infinite Possibilities

Modern interior with round mirror, decorative vase, and Bocci table lamp on a wooden and marble surface. Elegant lighting decor.
Modern Bocci 14 Series pendant lights with solid glass spheres enhance interiors with elegant, radiant illumination.
Minimalist website menu with sections: Shop, Story, Projects, plus links for contact and more.
Black and white image of a person holding a tuba, framed by bold white letters BOCCI on a black background.
“44 Series: Modern art installation with intricate aluminum formations in a stylish, minimalist interior setting.”
Bocci product catalog menu with series and type options, featuring modern lighting design on white background.
Person in protective gear examines a glass skull in an industrial workshop setting.
84Vt hand-blown glass pendant light with dimming, sleek brass finish. Various plug types. LED lamp. $852. Delivery: 3-4 weeks.
Unique abstract copper sculptures in various organic shapes, displayed on a white background. Modern art collection.
Characters

Looking Hate in the Typeface

Exhibition panel featuring typography by Vocal Type, focusing on diversity in design and minority culture representation.
Art exhibition with typographic blocks and portraits on walls, featuring a quote about change.
A man and child view a historical timeline display in a museum, highlighting significant years such as 1929 and 2020.
Modern art exhibit with graphic cubes and historical photo collages, displayed in a sunlit gallery with large windows.
Storefront poster with bold text displaying Looking Hate in the (Type) Face Characters, emphasizing typography design.
Exhibit wall with Martin Luther King Jr. quote: Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.
Black and white magazine stand with Vocal Civilian signage, featuring a hashtag symbol, in a modern office setting.
Newspaper cover titled Vocal Civilian with headline In Pursuit of Liberation Through Visual Communication showing a large crowd.
Group of students attentively listening to a speaker in a modern hallway presentation.
Protest sign with 'Honor King: End Racism!' in bold letters on corrugated cardboard background, advocating for social equality. Using Martin font by Vocal Type
Museum exhibit featuring I AM A MAN sign and a historical photo on civil rights movement wall.
Quote on a black wall: There can be no love without justice. - bell hooks. Bold white text emphasizing social justice and love.
Artist painting large black and white mural on wall, depicting a serious face with text below, urban art scene.
People painting a large mural on a tall wall, using ladders and teamwork for artistic street art creation.
Artists painting large black and white text mural on a wall, using ladders and brushes in an outdoor urban setting.
Person holding a detailed artwork print with a portrait and event text. Textured, monochrome design in an outdoor setting.
Text saying A Vocal Type Exhibition with in collaboration with CIVILIZATION below. Bold, black font on a white background.
Inform

Reaching into the Past to Inform the Future

Inform storefront at Abbott Street, showcasing modern design and heritage in black-and-white branding display.
Modern facade of Gavina Showroom on Via Altabella, Bologna, showcasing Italian design with circular windows and textured walls.
Outdoor dining setup with portable lights on a table, surrounded by nature. Ideal for enhancing summer evening gatherings.
Man crafting metal with tools in workshop, part of an interview with Kaikado's Takahiro Yagi for INFORM article.
Woman on geometric rug with colorful blocks in modern design. Shop elegant, high-end rugs and carpets at INFORM store online.
Speaker Paola Antonelli presenting at a design event, discussing architecture and innovation, with a display screen in the background.
Black Timor perpetual calendar by Enzo Mari, showing January 1st, Sunday. Stylish and functional desk accessory.
Shout Your Abortion

Amplifying Abortion Access

Protesters in front of a courthouse hold signs advocating for abortion rights, emphasizing control over future access to abortion pills.
Two hands exchanging a box labeled Abortion Pills in black and white, highlighting pharmaceutical access and reproductive rights.
Man outdoors holding a box labeled Abortion Pills, promoting reproductive rights under a clear blue sky.
Bold text on aqua background: The Future of Abortion is in Our Hands with graphics in some letters.
Colorful poster design featuring a woman's portrait with text in English and Polish: Behind each of us are 10 more.
Pro-choice activists holding signs advocating for abortion rights against a backdrop reading Abortion is Normal, 2016.
USPS mailbox labeled Abortion Provider, promoting abortion pill access at plancpills.org.
Group of women holding protest signs supporting abortion rights.
Lake Flato

Listening to the Land

Modern rural home design by Lake Flato Architects, under clear skies with open landscape.
Modern architectural structure with children playing underneath, against a clear blue sky backdrop.
Text on sustainable design emphasizes thoughtful investigation and knowledge sharing by Lake Flato.
Modern, sustainable architecture by Lake Flato, showcasing eco-friendly design in a bright, airy interior space with people working.
Modern architecture of Carraro Residence with metal structures and glass, under a clear blue sky.
Cozy sitting area with brown chairs, abstract blue and white painting, and rustic decor on a wooden table, enhancing modern interior charm.
Modern wooden staircase with natural lighting, large windows, and people ascending and descending. Sustainable architectural design.
Modern courtyard design with mesquite trees, reflective water feature, and sustainable architecture by Lake Flato.
Snow-covered mountains with a modern cabin nestled among trees, showcasing a winter landscape.
End Gender Apartheid

Turning Awareness into Global Action

Text highlighting 'Gender Apartheid Silence' on black background, calling to end gender apartheid today. #EndGenderApartheid
Join the global movement to end gender apartheid in Iran and Afghanistan. Learn more at EndGenderApartheid.Today.
Text advocating against gender apartheid, calling out repression and dehumanization of women. Website: endgenderapartheid.today.
Two women at a formal gathering. Text: It is time for states to make gender apartheid a crime against humanity. Learn more at endgenderapartheid.today.
UN meeting urges end to gender apartheid in Afghanistan, highlights women's rights issues and calls for international action.
Join the global action to end gender apartheid. Advocate for legal recognition and policy change with the EGA Campaign.
Join global movement to end gender apartheid in Iran and Afghanistan. Support the cause today at endgenderapartheid.today.
Text in Persian advocating against gender apartheid with a website link for more information.
Woman advocating against gender apartheid with a message: Make gender apartheid a crime against humanity. Learn more at endgenderapartheid.today.
Women and girls of Afghanistan and Iran unite against gender apartheid in a call for equality.
Image showing questions on gender apartheid, international law, and its impact on women globally, with a focus on intersectional approaches.
Persian text advocating for an end to gender apartheid in Iran and Afghanistan. Visit endgenderapartheid.today for more info.
Woman Life Freedom

Motivating Global Leaders

Bold text 'Woman Life Freedom' with Farsi translation overlaid, symbolizing empowerment and liberation. Minimalist design.
Black and white newspaper ad with Woman Life Freedom text, advocating for women's rights and global solidarity.
U.S. VP announces intention to remove Iran from UN Women Commission due to women's rights issues.
A woman speaks at a podium outdoors, surrounded by seated listeners on a stage, with birds flying overhead and trees in the background.
Aerial view of a large graphic installation of a face on a riverside walkway, surrounded by trees and water.
Man in patterned coat and yellow shoes stands in front of a wall with text in various languages, surrounded by trees.
25×25

Gamifying Climate Action

Geometric pixel art design featuring a black cross-like pattern on a white background.
Scenic view of a sunlit Canadian landscape of forests and cliffs. Protect initiative aims to conserve 25% of land and sea by 2025.
Orca leaping from the water, captured in a blend of color and monochrome, showcasing dynamic aquatic movement.
People enjoying a scenic view of nature, promoting spending 2.5 hours outside weekly for relaxation and health benefits.
Text on snowy mountain background addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and conservation efforts in British Columbia.
Outdoor wooden structure with metal art installation on blocks numbered 25, pathway and skyline in the background.
The AMP: AIDS Memorial Pathway

Immortalizing Messages of Resistance

Red sign in urban setting reading Human Rights for All Humans, promoting equality and social justice.
Colorful protest signs with messages like Fighting For Our Lives outside Capitol Hill Station, urban setting.
People marching with signs for human and gay rights in a protest, advocating for equality and justice.
Vibrant city street with colorful signs promoting equality and human rights, surrounded by market stalls and modern buildings.
Protester holding Health Care is a Right sign at rally with Living with HIV shirt, advocating for healthcare rights.
Colorful protest signs outside a modern building, reading Access = Equality and Let Us Live.
Activists at an AIDS protest holding signs for a cure. Signs read AIDS CURE NOW and WE WILL NOT REST IN PEACE.

Studio

Person holding a protest sign with a mushroom cloud and large NO! text, standing in an office environment.
Civilization engaged in a meeting around a conference table in our former office/gallery space with plants and a presentation screen.
Michael Ellsworth and Saki Mafundikwa smiling and posing together indoors, one in a denim jacket and colorful hat, the other in a dark shirt, near origami decorations.
Corey Gutch and Michael Ellsworth post at the Cooper Hewitt during the National Design Awards Gala.
Team collaborating in a modern office, surrounded by design posters, working on laptops.
Smiling person sitting on a striped bench in a park during early spring, surrounded by bare trees and sunny skies.
Molly Derse and Lance Wyman at a Beyond This Point podcast recording at the Suyama Space near a table with wine and appetizers, surrounded by people in conversation.
Civilization at our former office/gallery space working at desks, surrounded by modern art and typography posters on white walls.
Group of people enjoying an art gallery, featuring colorful and abstract paintings on the walls.
Civilization team posing in front of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum sign, showcasing diverse styles and expressions.
Two people observing a creative workspace, surrounded by art supplies and posters.
Team collaborating on a project in a modern office space, with laptops and a large window view, promoting teamwork and creativity.
Civilization team collaborating around a table with laptops and documents in a bright room.
Trish Chua, Michael Ellsworth, and Raya Leary smiling in a colorful bookstore in Porto Portugal filled with art and books.
Group standing in front of a bold graphic on 'hate' theme, posing confidently. Diversity and unity in action.
Civilization painting a Na Kim wall mural with geometric patterns using ladders in a bright room.
Michael Ellsworth, Ellen Lupton, and Corey Gutch smiling at a Summer Garden Party at the Cooper Hewitt Museum event under a tent, dressed in colorful and stylish outfits.
Three people having a casual meeting in a stylish office with art and plants, sitting on sofas around a marble coffee table.
Michael Ellsworth, Trish Chua, and Corey Gutch smiling in front of a colorful wall, one gesturing excitedly. Cozy and lively atmosphere.
People enjoying coffee and examining creative record covers at The Shape of Sound gallery display.
Molly Derse and Michael Ellsworth engaged in animated conversation at Posterhouse gallery in NYC, with colorful artwork on the walls.
Civilization team looking posters, ephemera and books at the Interference Archive in New York City.
Three men pose in front of creative posters on a wall, showcasing a modern design studio atmosphere.
A group of nine people smiling outside a building, wearing casual and semi-formal outfits, posing for a team or friends photo.
Two people smiling, holding a sign reading Unpaid Protestor Protecting Democracy at a peaceful rally.
Corey Gutch and Michael Ellsworth of Civilization and Caroline Baumann with family posing in front of the colorful Heller vintage volkswagen bus in New York City, with vibrant Heller chairs on the roof.
Our first office space in 2012 with Civilization working at desks, laptops open, natural light, indoor plants, collaborative workspace.
Raya Leary and Trish Chua browse colorful prints and books in an art studio, surrounded by vibrant wall designs and creative materials.
Shaun Kardinal and Oscar Viñas in matching red sweaters sharing a conversation next to a houseplant, with bookshelves in the background.
Molly Derse and Shaun Kardinal standing against a white wall, both wearing dark sweaters and shoes, looking upward.
Open-plan office with diverse team collaborating at laptops, surrounded by plants and creative posters, fostering a productive workspace.
Three men sitting at a table in a modern room with theater posters behind them.
Person holding a protest sign with a mushroom cloud and large NO! text, standing in an office environment.
Corey Gutch, Verda Alexander, Gabriel Stromberg and Raya Leary on the red carpet at Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards event with a vibrant backdrop, 20th anniversary.
Corey Gutch speaking at Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards podium, receiving the National Design Award for Communication Design, with Fran Lebowitz and Michael Ellsworth in the background, against a backdrop of white plates.
Gabriel Stromberg, Michael Ellsworth, and Corey Gutch in suits pose with the National Design Award trophy at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards event.
Corey Gutch, Fran Lebowitz, Molly Derse, Gabriel Stromberg, and Michael Ellsworth at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards, posing for a photo on the red carpet.
Debbie Millman, Seymour Chwast, Paula Scher, Chip Kidd, and Corey Gutch elegantly dressed smiling at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards gala with a purple backdrop.
Corey Gutch, Michael Ellsworth, and Gail Anderson smiling at the San Francisco Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards event, standing in front of a colorful geometric backdrop.
Shaun Kardinal, Michael Ellsworth, Amelia Bonow, Elise Carlson, and Corey Gutch receiving a Webby Award, black and white photo.
Shaun Kardinal, Raya Leary, and Corey Gutch elegantly dressed at the 2022 Art Ball, Newark Museum of Art.
Michael Ellsworth speaking at a podium during the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards event, receiving the National Design Award for Communication Design.
Gabriel Stromberg, Michael Ellsworth, Fran Lebowitz, and Corey Gutch in formal attire pose at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards ceremony in 2018 receiving the National Design Award for Communication Design..
Corey Gutch, Tinker Hatfield, Lisa Iwamoto, and Primo Orpilla at Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards in San Francisco at Godfrey Dadich Partners smiling in front of colorful backdrop.
Corey Gutch, Verda Alexander, Gabriel Stromberg and Raya Leary on the red carpet at Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards event with a vibrant backdrop, 20th anniversary.
Two people recording a podcast in a modern office with microphones and laptop on a table.
Display of The Design of Dissent exhibition poster and T-shirt, featuring thought-provoking artwork and messages.
Raya Leary with a group of lecture attendees indoors, standing near a bookshelf with colorful books in a cozy room setting at Bikini Books in Porto Portugal.
Michael Ellsworth engages with students in a lively classroom discussion for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Awards in San Francisco, fostering learning and collaboration.
Panel discussion on stage with large abortion rights image display in background, featuring three seated speakers and attentive audience.
Corey Gutch, Susan Kare, Ivan Poupyrev, and Lisa Iwamoto panel discussion at Design Within Reach San Francisco for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Awards speaking into a microphone, engaging with the audience.
Michael Ellsworth laughing at a table for the teen design event at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum with design materials and a laptop, surrounded by people at a creative networking event.
Corey Gutch, April Greiman, and Michael Ellsworth standing by a Roski Talks Fall 2021 poster, dressed in colorful outfits, in an art gallery setting.
Michael Ellsworth high-fives a student in a lively classroom discussion for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Awards in San Francisco, fostering learning and collaboration.
Audience eagerly awaits Design Lecture Series start in packed auditorium, diverse crowd chatting and engaging.
Speaker presents on abortion rights and access to abortion pills at an indoor event. Attendees listen to the presentation.
Michael Ellsworth, Nancy Bendtsen, and Ming-Lee Yuan in a panel discussion on stage, at IDS West in Vancouver BC under modern lighting design in background, conference setting.
Raya Leary holding a sign saying Resistance is History, sitting on a couch with a poster in the background, during her lecture at Bikini Books in Porto, Portugal.
Gail Anderson, Michael Ellsworth, and Elizabeth Gerber engage in a lively panel discussion for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Awards in San Francisco, holding microphones, seated in a modern venue.
Raya Leary engages with a group listening to her lecture at Bikini Books in Porto, Portugal, fostering discussion and learning in a creative setting.
Audience watching a presentation by Emory Douglas of a black panther graphic on a large screen in a dimly lit auditorium.
Audience at a the Characters Exhibition design and typography workshop in a modern classroom, featuring black walls with inspirational posters and attentive participants at the Museum of Design Atlanta..
Corey Gutch and Michael Ellsworth engage with students in a lively classroom discussion for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Awards in San Francisco, fostering learning and collaboration.
Man being filmed in an office setting with large windows, camera and monitor visible; conversation setting.
Person cutting out letters and numbers from printed sheets at a table, with scissors and a green cup nearby.
Three people engage in a discussion panel against a backdrop with historical dates, seated on a stage with wooden flooring.
Two people recording a podcast in a modern office with microphones and laptop on a table.
Team in meeting room watching a video call on a monitor while discussing and taking notes, with water bottles and notebooks on table.
Three people laughing at a party with colorful balloons and a red heart-shaped sign inside a wooden-paneled room.
Michael Ellsworth, Randy Bishop, and Trish Chua examine a Bocci 28 Series chandelier in the Living Spaces showroom, highlighting contemporary lighting design and indoor decor.
People exploring a rustic industrial space with exposed brick walls and large windows.
Michael Ellsworth and Omer Arbel examining material experiments at Bocci's headquarters and studio in Vancouver BC with shelves displaying various artistic items and objects.
Michael Ellsworth, Corey Gutch, and Randy Bishop examine a Bocci 44 Series lighting chandelier in a bright room with large windows and green outdoor view.
Raya Leary presenting our website design to the Olson Kundig staff at their Seattle office with a slide showing Jim Olson - Friendly, Inspiring, Artistic in a modern conference setting.
Michael Ellsworth, Evan Morris, and Vicki Yuan stand outside Lake Flato's Olmos Park Residence a modern stone house with wooden door, discussing architecture in a sunny setting.
Corey Gutch smiling and giving thumbs up in front of the industrial gate and brick building headquarters of Lake Flato in San Antonio, Texas.
Michael Ellsworth, Corey Gutch, and Randy Bishop browsing the Bocci Series 1 wooden shelves at Inform Interiors in Vancouver BC, wearing masks for safety.
Three people wearing matching Olderbrother t-shirts and a tote bag, standing against a white wall, smiling and posing.
Michael Ellsworth, Evan Morris, and Vicki Yuan chatting in the stylish office of Lake Flato's Olmos Park Residence with modern decor, wooden desk, and illuminated globe.
Shaun Kardinal presenting our website design to the Olson Kundig staff at their Seattle office with a slide showing of the layout storytelling element of the website.
Michael Ellsworth, Corey Gutch, and Randy Bishop browsing the Bocci Series 1 wooden shelves at Inform Interiors in Vancouver BC, wearing masks for safety.
Three men collaborate on a project in a studio; one seated, two standing by a computer setup with a camera tripod in the background.
Michael Ellsworth presenting our website design to the Olson Kundig staff at their Seattle office with a slide showing the story of our design studio.
Two individuals examining vintage chair components on shelves, with a large portrait above.
Raya Leary at the Olson Kundig New York City office viewing their monumental wooden cityscape modular table, showcasing detailed craftsmanship and architectural design.
Team in meeting room watching a video call on a monitor while discussing and taking notes, with water bottles and notebooks on table.

Our Team

Civilization’s core team is small, decentralized, and built on a collaborative foundation that values our collective intelligence and creativity. With origins in the Pacific Northwest and a network built over 20 years of public programming and design community engagement, we’re capable of bringing in specialists – whether they’re copywriters, illustrators, type designers, social media consultants, printers, technologists, etc. – exactly when a project needs them. Our strength is collaboration.

  • Michael Ellsworth

    Principal & Owner Seattle + Portland

  • Corey Gutch

    Principal & Owner New York + Buenos Aires

  • Raya Leary

    Research & Project Strategy Porto

  • Shaun Kardinal

    Web Development Philadelphia

Past Team Members

  • Elise Carlson
    Account Management
  • Giancarlo Cateriano
    Design
  • Trish Chua
    Account Management
  • Jenny Crimp
    Web Development
  • Pierre Crutchfield
    Web Development
  • Molly Derse
    Partnerships
  • Matthew Dressman
    Web Development
  • Maggie Fowler
    Design
  • Sal Hill
    Project Management
  • Tiffany Hsu
    Design
  • Vivian Hua
    Design
  • Jonathan Hudak
    Web Development
  • Andrew J.S.
    Design
  • Alison McKay
    Web Development
  • Cori Ready
    Marketing
  • Gabriel Stromberg
    Creative Direction
  • Òscar Viñas
    Design
  • Melenie Yap
    Social Media

Recognition

We’ve been honored with multiple awards, including the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian National Design Award for Communication Design, Webby Awards (Best Activist, Education, and Architecture, Art and Design categories), and Anthem Awards (Best Community Engagement, Global Awareness, Health, and Human Rights categories). Our work is included in the permanent collection of the Milton Glaser Design Archives at the School of Visual Arts, New York, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Over the years our work and studio has been featured in numerous publications, periodicals, and magazines that champion communication design.

Blue book cover of Studio Culture Now by Mark Sinclair, ISBN 978-1-9164573-6-2, published by Unit Editions.
Magazine cover with bold abstract design, featuring typography articles and interviews by Alice Sherwin, Harry Bennett, and more.
Object Logos book cover in purple and orange, featuring geometric design elements, a handbook on identity marks by Counter-Print.
Book cover with a sky background, For Freedoms text, flag design, and the question Where do we go from here?
Abstract logo book cover with geometric symbols, titled Trademarks & Symbols Compiled by Counter-Print. ISBN: 978-0-9935812-0-5.
Colorful typography design on a magazine cover, featuring words like novum, graphic, and type.
Colorful abstract A design with geometric shapes and text, promoting Art Marks by Counter-Print. Bold, modern, artistic cover.
Colorful 3D typography on an orange book cover with the word Los Logos by Gestalten. Bold design and modern graphics.
Book cover of Architectural Logos, a guide on architectural identity marks, featuring pink and teal geometric design.
Bold orange cover with the text SHUT UP! SPEAK UP! SHUT UP! from Graphic Matters 2017 review.
Alt text: Cover of Book of Abstracts for Design History Society Annual Conference 2023 with geometric patterns and editor names.
Cover of Thinking through Graphic Design History by Aggie Toppins, featuring a red background with connecting dots and lines.
Green and blue monogram logo design on a book cover, titled Monograms & Ciphers.
Book cover titled Icon, featuring vibrant geometric patterns, focused on social media icon design and published by Counterprint.

Workshops, Lectures, Initiatives

Creating experiences that inspire, educate, and connect with the public is core to our studio. We lead workshops globally through universities, museums, and conferences, regularly teach classes for all ages, and design and curate exhibitions, all aimed at connecting people with design.

We frequently lecture at conferences and universities, our most recent talks include: “Y2K to Today” about the history of our studio and “SHOUT!” a presentation that examines how visual communication can work as a rallying cry to address some of society’s most complex and pressing issues.

Our past programs and initiatives include our Seattle-based Design Lecture Series, interview series Beyond This Point, and design gallery Non‑Breaking Space.

Today, we are expanding the Characters exhibition to places around the world, at a time when civil rights history is minimized, contested, or erased. At our pop-up design library Volumes, we celebrate the power of analog design to connect people, spark conversations, and inspire new ideas.

Clients + Partners

For the last 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible clients and partners across the globe, from international nonprofits and grassroots movements to visionary designers and organizations shaping the future.

We’ve fine-tuned our process and communication methods to ensure that every stakeholder has their voice heard, feels supported, and is confident in the project’s outcomes. Our research-driven approach and years of experience working with large boards and leadership teams allow us to build consensus and realize a shared vision.

  • 4 Culture
  • Actualize
  • Adyn
  • The AIDS Memorial Pathway
  • AIA Trust
  • AIGA
  • The American LGBTQ+ Museum
  • Arts at King Street Station
  • Art Market Productions
  • Asia Society Museum
  • BC Parks Foundation
  • Biennale of Sydney
  • Biomimicry Institute
  • Bocci
  • The Branch Museum of Design
  • Burke Museum
  • C3
  • Clayton Korte
  • The Cloud Room
  • Concordia Studio
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  • Corre
  • Death Over Dinner
  • Design Milk
  • Design in Public
  • Drugs Over Dinner
  • Emerson Collective
  • Erika Massaquoi
  • Everyone Else Productions
  • Facing Addiction
  • Farestart
  • For Freedoms
  • Forterra
  • Friends of Waterfront Park
  • Fruitsuper
  • Frye Art Museum
  • The Gates Foundation
  • Google
  • HistoryLink
  • Hoffman Construction
  • Holst Architecture
  • Hotel Sorrento
  • IDS West
  • Inform
  • Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
  • IxDA
  • Join Design
  • JustLeadershipUSA
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Lake Flato
  • Light in the Attic
  • Linksbridge
  • Metis Construction
  • Miller Hull
  • Miller Knoll
  • Miro Tea
  • MOHAI
  • Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
  • National Community Land Trust
  • National Head Start Association
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • NBBJ
  • New Foundation
  • Newark Museum of Art
  • Northwest Film Forum
  • Now Matters Now
  • Office of Arts & Culture
  • Olderbrother
  • Olson Kundig
  • Open Editions
  • The Oula Company
  • The Pantry
  • Participant Media
  • Plant Baby Plant
  • Prairie Underground
  • Project No. 8
  • Re-Locate AK
  • Recompose
  • Renegade Craft Fair
  • Seattle Arts & Lectures
  • Seattle Parks Foundation
  • Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO)
  • Shabazz Palaces
  • Shout Your Abortion
  • Signal Architecture & Research
  • Smithsonian Institute
  • SRG Partnership
  • Storm King Art Center
  • Sustainable Conservation
  • Swissnex
  • Town Hall Seattle
  • The Trace
  • TVA Architects
  • Typecon
  • Vitruvi
  • Washington Trust
  • Would

    Let’s Get Together

    © 2014-2025 Civilization. Fonts by Vocal Type.
    Project Title