Elefint Designs
Elefint Designs is a women-owned branding and product design studio founded in 2010 in Oakland, California, serving nonprofit organizations, NGOs, foundations, and social impact startups with brand strategy, identity, websites, motion graphics, and impact reports.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Elefint Designs does
Elefint Designs is a women-owned branding and product design studio founded in 2010 in Oakland, California, specializing in serving nonprofit organizations, NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, and purpose-driven startups. The studio is led by Founder and Head of Design Gopika Setlur, who assembles a per-project bench of designers, animators, illustrators, and engineers to deliver engagements of varying scope. The studio has worked with 300+ organizations across its history.
Elefint offers a full-service design catalog covering brand strategy and research, brand identity systems (logos, style guides, brand books), content strategy, responsive website design and development (typically built on WordPress CMS), motion graphics and animation, print and digital impact reports, product design, and design sprint facilitation. The underlying technology stack consists of standard creative tools — Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch — and collaboration platforms including Asana, Slack, and Google Drive. Industry recognition includes two 2016 Bulldog Awards Gold prizes and a 2018 PR News Platinum Finalist nomination, both for motion graphics work with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The business operates as a professional services studio on a quote-based, project-by-project engagement model. Clients reach the studio primarily through inbound channels: website contact form and direct email. Notable clients include ACLU California (18-month MeetYourDA voter education campaign), SF LGBT Center, American Academy of Ophthalmology (3+ year partnership, 3.57M+ YouTube views), New Door Ventures, Essie Justice Group, Transparency and Accountability Initiative, Leadership Public Schools (3+ year ongoing design partnership), New Resource Bank, Population Services International, Women's Funding Network, Global Impact Strategies, and Think Together. Elefint has two internal sub-brands: Elefint Labs (writing, side projects, curated events on design and social good) and Desgnit (an annual three-day design sprint program that delivers $100k+ of design value to selected nonprofits focused on housing and homelessness in the Bay Area, with partners including Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and SF LGBT Center). The studio has not raised external funding and operates as a founder-owned, bootstrapped entity.
Elefint Designs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elefint Designs
- Legal name
- Elefint Designs
- Website
- https://elefintdesigns.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Elefint Designs is a women-owned branding and product design studio founded in 2010 in Oakland, California, serving nonprofit organizations, NGOs, foundations, and social impact startups with brand strategy, identity, websites, motion graphics, and impact reports.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elefint Designs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Brand Design Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (541430), Industrial Design Services (54142), Other Specialized Design Services (54149)
- 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
- Sustainability & Purpose Brand Design (ESG Narrative, Impact Branding) (MPAAAEAL), Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD), Event Strategy & Experience Design (BPAFAGAA)
Keywords
Where Elefint Designs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Elefint Designs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Design Services: Professional design services including brand strategy, brand identity, product design, animation, websites, and impact reports for nonprofit and social impact organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Elefint Designs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elefint Designs is a women-owned branding and product design studio that delivers comprehensive design services including brand strategy, brand identity (logos, identity systems, brand books), content strategy, and brand experience design (product design, animation, websites, impact reports). The studio provides custom design sprint facilitation and motion graphics, serving purpose-driven organizations including nonprofits, NGOs, foundations, B Corps, and social impact startups. Projects range from small engagements to multi-year design partnerships, with supporting initiatives like Elefint Labs (writing and events) and Desgnit (annual 3-day design sprint for nonprofits).
Product overview
Elefint is a women-owned branding and product design studio offering comprehensive design services including brand strategy, brand identity (logos, identity systems, brand books), content strategy, and brand experience design (product design, animation, websites, impact reports). The studio operates as a single unified offering with specialized services that can be engaged individually or as a complete package. Supporting offerings include Elefint Labs (writing, side projects, and curated events) and Desgnit (a three-day design sprint program for nonprofits). The studio primarily serves purpose-driven organizations including nonprofits, startups, and social enterprises, with a focus on creating impact through thoughtful design.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Elefint Labs: Home for writing, side projects and curated events exploring the intersection of design, tech, and social good.
- desgnit
Products and services
- Brand Strategy & Research Strategic consulting services including brand research, brand positioning, naming, and brand workshops to help purpose-driven organizations establish and articulate their brand identity.
- Brand Identity Design Creation of logos, identity systems, and brand books that establish consistent visual branding across all platforms for nonprofits and social impact organizations.
- Brand Experience Design Product design, animation, websites, and impact reports that bring brands to life through compelling digital and print experiences for purpose-driven clients.
- Website Design & Development Design and development of responsive, user-friendly websites built on WordPress CMS, serving nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations.
- Motion Graphics & Animation Animated video content designed to communicate complex topics in friendly and informative ways, including educational series for healthcare and campaign work.
- Impact Reports (Print & Digital) Impact reports combining print and digital formats to engage readers and tell compelling stories through data visualization and photography.
- Design Sprint Facilitation Intensive collaborative design workshops to rapidly prototype and develop creative solutions for clients, often delivered in 2-3 day formats.
- Desgnit An annual three-day design sprint event where creative leaders work alongside select nonprofits to kickstart campaigns related to housing and homelessness in the Bay Area through multidisciplinary and human-centered design.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,574,912+ YouTube views for AAO motion graphics
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Elefint Designs
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Elefint Designs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Elefint Designs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Chan Zuckerberg InitiativecoreCollaboration on housing and homelessness initiative in the Bay Area. CZI was part of initial conversations about the complex social issues surrounding housing and homelessness that led to the expanded Desgnit program focus.
- SF LGBT CentercoreLong-time client and community partner. Collaborated on housing and homelessness initiative discussions. Elefint designed their website and continues engagement with youth leadership council.
- SPURminorUrban planning organization involved in initial conversations about Bay Area housing and homelessness issues.
- Community Housing PartnershipminorNonprofit focused on housing solutions, involved in initial discussions about Bay Area housing and homelessness challenges.
- LandedminorOrganization addressing housing challenges, participated in initial conversations about Bay Area housing and homelessness issues.
- John Legend / Free AmericaflagshipGrammy-winning artist and Free America founder served as spokesperson for MeetYourDA campaign. Appeared on Pod Save America podcast and promoted campaign on social media to reach voters during California DA elections.
- Planned ParenthoodminorSenior content strategists from Planned Parenthood attended Desgnit event and participated in MeetYourDA campaign development alongside ACLU.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Elefint Designs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- IDEO: Global design and innovation consultancy with a meaningful social impact practice. Overlaps with Elefint on human-centered design and nonprofit work, but operates at much larger scale and with broader corporate and government clients.
- Pentagram: Largest independent design firm with a nonprofit and cultural portfolio (museums, foundations, civic clients). Provides a comparable branding/identity capability but as part of a broad, multi-industry portfolio that includes many commercial clients.
Direct peers
- Design Impact: Cincinnati-based nonprofit design firm that partners with social impact organizations on branding, communications, and capacity-building. Comparable vertical alignment with Elefint's nonprofit-only focus and similar studio structure.
- Hyperakt: Brooklyn-based design studio that builds brands, identities, and digital experiences for mission-driven organizations, foundations, and nonprofits. Closest direct peer to Elefint in both vertical focus (social impact) and service mix (brand, web, motion).
- Big Duck: NYC-based branding and communications firm that exclusively serves nonprofits and causes. Directly comparable in vertical specialization (nonprofit branding) and provides a similar full-service offering including websites, identity, and campaign work.
- C&G Partners: NYC-based design studio with a strong portfolio in nonprofit, cultural, and civic branding and wayfinding. Comparable to Elefint in serving mission-driven clients with brand strategy, identity, and exhibit/experience design at campaign scale.
- Free Range Studios: Purpose-driven creative studio focused on storytelling and campaigns for nonprofits, foundations, and social enterprises. Comparable in offering mix (campaign, motion, brand) and in serving high-profile social impact clients like ACLU-adjacent causes.
Emerging players
- Character: Independent design studio building brand systems for emerging and established companies, with selective work in social impact. Comparable on craft and brand identity, but more commercial-leaning than Elefint's nonprofit specialization.
- COLLINS: Independent design and strategy firm with a purpose-driven client base and strong brand identity work. Comparable on identity systems and brand strategy, but with a broader commercial portfolio than Elefint's nonprofit-only focus.
- Beardwood & Co: NYC-based creative agency offering branding, content, and digital for impact-oriented and consumer brands. Comparable on integrated brand/digital capabilities, with partial overlap in social impact and nonprofit work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Elefint Designs social profiles
Digital presenceElefint Designs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elefint Designs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Elefint Designs subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Elefint Designs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elefint Designs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Elefint Designs
What does Elefint Designs do?
Elefint Designs is a women-owned branding and product design studio that delivers comprehensive design services including brand strategy, brand identity (logos, identity systems, brand books), content strategy, and brand experience design (product design, animation, websites, impact reports). The studio provides custom design sprint facilitation and motion graphics, serving purpose-driven organizations including nonprofits, NGOs, foundations, B Corps, and social impact startups. Projects range from small engagements to multi-year design partnerships, with supporting initiatives like Elefint Labs (writing and events) and Desgnit (annual 3-day design sprint for nonprofits).
Is Elefint Designs a public or private company?
Elefint Designs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Elefint Designs founded?
Elefint Designs was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Elefint Designs based?
Elefint Designs is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Elefint Designs make money?
One revenue line is on record: design Services.
Who are Elefint Designs's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are IDEO and Pentagram. Direct peers are Design Impact, Hyperakt, Big Duck, C&G Partners and Free Range Studios. Emerging players are Character, COLLINS and Beardwood & Co.
Does Elefint Designs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elefint Designs.
What industry is Elefint Designs in?
Elefint Designs's product category is Brand Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAEAC, Visual Identity & Brand Design Systems, with a secondary code of MPAAAEAL, Sustainability & Purpose Brand Design (ESG Narrative, Impact Branding). Its NAICS code is 541430 and its SIC code is 7330.