What Raw Design Studio does

Raw Design Studio is an independent design and digital agency founded in 2006 and headquartered in Newton-le-Willows, North West England. The studio provides end-to-end creative services spanning brand identity, web design and development, animation, illustration, copywriting, print design, photography, and environmental graphics, delivered through a 'Smart + Small' flexible team model in which a small core group is supplemented by curated freelance collaborators per project. Its client roster spans charities and non-profits, NHS and private healthcare organisations, arts and cultural institutions, football clubs and sports governing bodies, food and beverage brands, and start-ups — including BBC Philharmonic, NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG, Premier League, Nando's, Channel 4, Liverpool FC, Chester Zoo, Wolves, and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The business operates a professional services revenue model on a project-based, custom-quoted basis, with engagement scope ranging from brand refreshes and microsites to multi-channel digital campaigns. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is determined per project via direct client engagement (phone, email, and website inquiry form). Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, supported by a portfolio website segmented by sector and discipline, social media presence, an email newsletter, and earned media through industry awards (Design Week Awards, IPA Best of Health, ISTD, Roses Design Awards, Awwwards) and design press features. No external funding has been raised; ownership is founder-led by Rob Watson (Creative Director) and Ruth Watson (Studio Director), with sole ownership consolidated under Rob in 2013. A sister venture, Make Work Play Lab, extends into self-initiated products such as the Len Legsworth children's book and an Etsy-based merchandise shop.

Name

Raw Design Studio

Legal name

Raw

Website

https://weareraw.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Raw Design Studio is an independent UK design and digital agency, founded in 2006, delivering branding, web, and campaign services to charities, healthcare bodies, arts institutions, sports organisations, and commercial brands through a flexible 'Smart + Small' team model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Design Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143), Graphic Design Services (541430)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio) (BPAFAAAF)

Keywords

• Brand identity design
• Web design agency
• Digital design services
• Creative agency services
• Graphic design studio

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton-le-willows

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Design and Digital Services: Raw generates revenue through providing design and digital agency services to clients across various sectors including charities, health organizations, arts institutions, sports, and commercial brands. Services include brand identity, web design, digital platforms, animation, illustration, copywriting, print design, and environmental graphics. Revenue is project-based with client engagements ranging from brand refreshes to comprehensive digital campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Raw Design Studio is a creative agency that designs brand identities, websites, digital platforms, animations, illustrations, print materials, and environmental graphics for client organisations. Engagements are project-based and span single discipline briefs to multi-channel campaigns, delivered by a flexible 'Smart + Small' team drawn from a core leadership group and a curated collaborator network. The studio operates Make Work Play Lab as a sister company producing self-initiated products including the Len Legsworth children's book.

Product overview

Raw Design Studio is an independent design and digital agency operating since 2006, offering a comprehensive range of creative services including branding, website design and development, animation, illustration, print design, copywriting, and photography. Their core offering is bespoke design work delivered through a 'Smart + Small' flexible team model. The studio specializes in working with charities, healthcare organizations, arts institutions, and sports brands. They also operate Make Work Play Lab as a sister company for self-initiated products including children's books like Len Legsworth, and maintain a Make Work Play Shop on Etsy for merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Make Work Play Lab: A little sister company of Raw, involved in self-initiated projects including children's book publishing such as the Len Legsworth children's book.

Products and services

• Design and Digital Agency Services Full-service design and digital agency offering branding, website design and development, animation, illustration, print design, photography, copywriting, and digital marketing services for organisations across charity, healthcare, arts, sport, and commercial sectors.
• Healthcare and Medical Web Design and Branding Specialised web design and branding services for healthcare organisations, NHS departments, private clinics, and medical practitioners requiring accessibility-compliant, sensitive health communications.
• Arts and Charity Web Design and Branding Specialised branding and web design services for arts organisations and charitable institutions, including BBC Philharmonic, HOME Manchester, and Vegetarian Society.
• Len Legsworth Children's Book A children's picture book published through Make Work Play Lab, Raw's sister company, written by Ruth Watson and illustrated by Andy J. Miller, following Len the spider on seasonal adventures.
• Make Work Play Shop (Creative Merchandise) Online retail arm operated via the MakeWorkPlayLab Etsy shop, selling printed products including greeting cards, wall art, and creative merchandise created by Raw Design Studio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3.5 years, produced 13 issues of Chester Zoo's 'Our Zoo' digital magazine with over 150,000 members
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Koto: Brand and digital design studio working across identity, naming, and digital experiences for global brands and start-ups. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary boutique focused on brand systems and digital products.
• Studio Output: London-based independent design and digital studio producing brand, motion, digital, and campaign work. Comparable small-team model with similar sector mix spanning arts, culture, and commercial brands.
• B&B Studio: Independent London branding and design agency focused on brand strategy, identity, and packaging for premium and purpose-led clients. Comparable boutique model with similar vertical expertise.
• The Clearing: Independent London brand and design consultancy with a small senior team producing identity and digital work for cultural and consumer clients. Comparable boutique scale and senior-led operating model.
• Pentagram: Independent, partner-led design agency with offices in London and globally. Most directly comparable as a multi-disciplinary design studio offering brand identity, digital, and environmental design to comparable enterprise and public-sector clients.
• Carter Wong: Independent London design studio with over three decades of brand identity, print, and digital work. Comparable in scale and broad-service creative offering across similar client sectors.
• Made Thought: London-based independent creative studio specialising in brand, digital, and strategy for cultural, retail, and purpose-driven clients. Closely comparable on boutique scale and values-led positioning.
• VentureThree: Independent London design and brand consultancy producing identity and digital work for consumer and cultural clients. Comparable scale, sector mix, and integrated design capability.

Broad incumbents

• Mother London: Large, long-established London creative agency offering brand campaigns, advertising, and digital work for major commercial clients. Comparable in services but operates at materially larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Uncommon (formerly The Partners): London-based purpose-led creative and brand agency. Comparable in values-driven positioning and work with public-sector/cultural clients, but operates at a broader scale with larger campaign capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/weareraw
• Facebookfacebook.com/weareraw
• Instagraminstagram.com/rawdesignstudio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Raw Design Studio