Optima Design

What Optima Design does

Optima Design is a privately held, founder-owned full-service creative and digital communications agency headquartered in Lincoln, United Kingdom, founded in 1995 by Simon Shaw. The firm operates from a converted historic pub (the former Duke of Wellington, originally the Wellington Hotel built in 1842) on Broadgate in Lincoln and employs approximately 25-30 staff across design, web development, digital marketing, account management, and production. It offers brand identity and strategy, graphic design for print and digital media, UX/illustration/animation, web development across ExpressionEngine, WordPress and Shopify platforms, accessibility services, and a full digital marketing stack including SEO, PPC, social media advertising, content marketing and email marketing. It also sells recurring website maintenance packages in tiered Bronze-to-Platinum subscriptions.

The agency's client portfolio is unusually diverse for its size, spanning global NGOs and health bodies (World Heart Federation, World Stroke Organisation, NCD Alliance, International Diabetes Federation, World Energy Council, Norwegian People's Aid), food and agri-food brands (Jimmy's, Branston, Pipers Crisps, Coveris), education institutions (International School of Geneva, Lincoln College), public-sector clients (Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership for 14+ years, Lincolnshire County Council, City of Lincoln Council), manufacturers (Tata Steel for foreign-language typesetting), and Lincolnshire regional businesses. Geographically, Optima operates from the UK but serves clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The business model combines one-time project fees for design and brand builds, project fees plus recurring retainers for digital marketing engagements, and subscription-based website maintenance packages. The firm is sales-led, with account managers acting as primary client relationship owners, supplemented by direct website enquiries and event-driven lead generation through national industry events. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the firm has no external funding, no parent company, and no disclosed M&A activity. Notable credentials include Cyber Essentials Plus certification, Investors in People accreditation, and Design Business Association membership.

Name

Optima Design

Legal name

Optima Graphic Design Consultants Ltd

Website

https://optimadesign.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Optima Design is a privately held, founder-owned Lincoln, UK-based multi-disciplinary creative agency founded in 1995, offering brand identity, web development (ExpressionEngine, WordPress, Shopify), and full digital marketing services to global NGOs, food producers, educational institutions, public-sector bodies, and local businesses across the UK and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graphic Design & Web Development Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (541430), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Visual Identity & Brand Design Systems (BPAFAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Creative Concepting & Campaign Development (BPAFAEAD), Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD), Brand Activations & Experiential Campaign Design (MPAAAGAA)

Keywords

• Graphic design services
• Brand identity design
• Web development services
• Digital marketing agency
• Responsive website design

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Brand Identity & Design Services: Comprehensive brand strategy, brand identity development, graphic design for print and digital, UX design, illustration, animation, and packaging design services. Revenue generated through project-based engagements with one-time fees for specific deliverables.
2. Web Development Services: Website design, development, and maintenance services using ExpressionEngine, WordPress, and Shopify. Includes responsive web design, accessibility implementation, and ongoing website support. Revenue from project fees and recurring maintenance contracts.
3. Digital Marketing Services: Search Engine Optimisation, Search Engine Advertising/PPC, Social Media Advertising, Content Marketing, and Email Marketing services. Professional services engagement with ongoing retainer or project-based arrangements.
4. Website Maintenance Packages: Tailored maintenance plans ranging from Bronze (essential regular updates) to Silver, Gold, and Platinum options with additional benefits. Includes security checks, performance analysis, SEO review, and technical recommendations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Optima Design is a multi-disciplinary graphic design, web development, and digital marketing agency that provides brand identity creation, design for print and digital media, responsive website design and development using platforms such as WordPress, ExpressionEngine, and Shopify, and digital marketing services including SEO, PPC, social media advertising, content marketing, and email marketing. The agency also offers ongoing website maintenance packages, foreign language typesetting, and corporate gifting.

Product overview

Optima Design is a full-service digital marketing, web development, and graphic design agency offering a comprehensive suite of services. The core offering includes brand identity and strategy, design for print and digital media, and web development across multiple platforms (WordPress, ExpressionEngine, Shopify). Digital marketing services encompass SEO, PPC, social media advertising, content marketing, and email marketing. The agency also provides website maintenance packages at multiple service tiers, performance audits, foreign language typesetting, and corporate gifting solutions. The portfolio spans global NGOs, healthcare organizations, agri-food businesses, manufacturers, and local businesses across the UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brand Identity Services Strategic brand development and visual identity creation including logo design, brand guidelines, and brand strategy for organisations establishing distinctive and authentic brands.
• Design for Print Graphic design services for printed materials including brochures, packaging, prospectuses, and promotional items for organisations needing physical marketing collateral.
• Design for Digital Digital design services including UX design, digital graphics, illustration, animation, and visual content for online platforms and campaigns.
• Responsive Web Design Custom website design and development creating user-focused, accessible websites that work across all devices and screen sizes for businesses and organisations.
• ExpressionEngine Development Website development using ExpressionEngine CMS platform, with deep expertise in integrations and advanced functionality for organisations requiring flexible content management.
• WordPress Development Website development and maintenance using WordPress CMS, including custom themes, plugins, and content management system setup for businesses of all sizes.
• Shopify Development E-commerce website development using the Shopify platform for online stores, retail brands, and direct-to-consumer businesses.
• Website Accessibility Services Website accessibility design and development ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and inclusive user experiences for organisations and their audiences.
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Digital marketing service focused on improving website visibility and organic search rankings through technical and content optimisation for organisations seeking inbound traffic.
• Search Engine Advertising (PPC) Pay-per-click advertising campaigns on Google Ads and other search platforms to drive targeted traffic and conversions for client businesses.
• Social Media Advertising Social media marketing campaigns across platforms to build brand awareness, engage audiences, and drive business results for client organisations.
• Content Marketing Strategic content creation including copywriting, blog posts, articles, and multimedia content to engage audiences and support client marketing goals.
• Email Marketing Email campaign design, development, and management including newsletters, promotional emails, and automated email sequences for client audiences.
• Website Maintenance Packages Ongoing website support packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum tiers) covering security updates, performance optimisation, content updates, and technical maintenance for clients on a recurring subscription.
• Website Performance Audits Comprehensive assessment of website health including security checks, performance analysis, SEO review, and UX evaluation with tailored recommendations for client sites.
• Foreign Language Typesetting Typesetting services for publications in multiple languages including Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish for international client materials.
• Corporate Gifting Design and production of promotional items and corporate gifts including advent calendars, branded merchandise, and custom promotional materials for client campaigns.

Quantifiable outcome

• UK Food Valley initiative attracted £2 billion of investment and created around 7,000 jobs in Greater Lincolnshire's food sector
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Tony's ChocolonelyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Chosen for corporate gifting boxes celebrating Optima's 30th birthday. Tony's Chocolonely corporate personalisation service allowed custom wrapper design. Selected for their commitment to eliminating slave labour from chocolate supply chain and fair, sustainable values.
• mysquaremetre.co.ukminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partnership to plant wildflower meadows near Stow, Lincolnshire to offset carbon emissions from outgoing emails. Each email generates around 4g of CO2 over its lifetime. Initiative part of Optima's sustainability efforts and 'Thirty Things' birthday celebrations.
• EvertreenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partnership to calculate carbon footprint covering everything from studio energy use to daily operational emissions and plant 3,000 trees in Nepal to offset carbon. Trees planted annually as part of sustainability commitment.
• ByteSpider (ByteDance)minorOthers · 1 January 2024ByteDance's ByteSpider bot identified as aggressive scraper AI bot causing high server loads and website performance issues on client websites. Optima blocked this bot to protect client website performance and intellectual property.
• RilmacminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022Lincoln engineering company partnered with for memorial sculpture project at Lincoln College. Rilmac led on technical aspects of manufacture, production methods, fabrication, materials and installation while Optima led on creativity, style, sizing and positioning.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bibliowicz: London-based branding and graphic design agency offering brand identity, print design, and digital design to UK and international clients. Closely comparable in scale and creative service offering, with overlapping target markets in culture, education, and commercial sectors.
• dn&co: London branding and digital design agency with a strong identity design practice and similar multi-disciplinary offering spanning brand strategy, print, and digital. Comparable in scope and client mix, with a particular strength in cultural and third-sector work that overlaps with Optima's NGO portfolio.
• Nixon Design: UK-based independent design agency offering brand identity, graphic design, and digital design. Comparable mid-sized full-service creative agency with similar enterprise client mix and creative-only (non-media-buying) positioning.
• Productive: Independent London design agency offering brand identity, graphic design, and digital design services. Comparable creative-only agency of similar scale, working with enterprise and consumer clients across print and digital touchpoints.
• Studio Output: Independent UK branding and design agency with strong brand identity and graphic design practice. Comparable mid-sized creative agency serving similar enterprise and consumer clients with overlapping multi-disciplinary brand and digital offering.
• Carter Wong Design: London-based branding and design agency offering brand identity, graphic design, and digital design services to UK and international clients. Closely comparable mid-sized full-service creative agency serving similar enterprise and NGO-adjacent clients.

Broad incumbents

• FutureBrand: Global branding consultancy (part of McCann Group) offering brand strategy, identity design, and brand experience. Significantly larger than Optima and part of a wider portfolio, but directly competes for the same enterprise brand identity RFPs Optima targets.
• Pentagram: Global multi-partner design consultancy offering brand identity, graphic design, and digital design services. Far larger than Optima but directly comparable on the brand identity and creative design offering, serving similar enterprise clients across multiple sectors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/optimadesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optima-graphic-design-consultants-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/optimadesign

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Optima Design