Invisible Creature
Invisible Creature is a founder-owned, 1-10 person design and illustration studio founded in 2000 by brothers Don and Ryan Clark, serving enterprise clients across music, retail, hospitality, education, and entertainment with custom creative services, plus self-published books and licensed merchandise through its own e-commerce and retail partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersGold Canyon, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Invisible Creature does
Invisible Creature is a private, founder-owned design and illustration studio founded around 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark, originally operating as Asterik Studios and now incorporated as Invisible Creature Inc. in Arizona. The studio provides professional creative services, including illustration, graphic design, art direction, brand identity, packaging, animation, and film production, for enterprise clients across music (Alice In Chains, Demon Hunter, Silverstein, Sub Pop, Jerry Cantrell), retail and consumer brands (Target, Warby Parker), food and beverage (La Marzocco), hospitality (Canlis, Unreasonable Hospitality), education (Crossway, Lakeshore Learning), entertainment (Cinerama/SIFF, Forevergreen Film), and government (Newark Liberty International Airport). The firm has received four consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Recorded Album Packaging (2006-2009) and earned editorial features in Communication Arts, Print, and Juxtapoz.
The studio operates a dual business model. The services arm runs on professional-services billing for custom creative engagements acquired through portfolio referrals and direct outreach. The product arm sells physical goods through a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront, with distribution extensions via Lakeshore Learning retail stores, Sub Pop's Seattle airport store, and Amazon for The Biggest Story Bible Storybook suite (consistently in Amazon's Top 500 best-sellers). 2024-2025 product expansion included the Face The Music monograph ($40), The Biggest Story Advent and Large Format Edition, a limited 50-piece wooden Nativity set, and Dialogues Playing Cards in collaboration with Unreasonable Hospitality and Theory 11.
In 2024 the studio transitioned from its Maple Valley, Washington barn studio (2014-2024) into a distributed two-location model, with Don Clark in Gold Canyon, Arizona and Ryan Clark in Seattle. The company has no external funding, no parent company, and remains fully founder-owned and operated, with a stated headcount of 1-10 employees. Ryan Clark continues to write, record, and tour with his band Demon Hunter alongside his role as Creative Director.
Invisible Creature firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Invisible Creature
- Legal name
- Invisible Creature Inc.
- Website
- https://invisiblecreature.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Invisible Creature is a founder-owned, 1-10 person design and illustration studio founded in 2000 by brothers Don and Ryan Clark, serving enterprise clients across music, retail, hospitality, education, and entertainment with custom creative services, plus self-published books and licensed merchandise through its own e-commerce and retail partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Invisible Creature industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Design and Illustration Services
- NAICS
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Traditional Toy Stores (CRALAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dolls, Plush & Action Figures Retail (CRALAFAD), Collectibles, Trading Cards & Blind Box Toys Retail (CRALAFAI)
Keywords
Where Invisible Creature is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gold Canyon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Invisible Creature business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Creative Services / Agency Work: Billable creative services for enterprise clients including brand identity, packaging design, illustration, murals, and art direction. Projects are custom engagements with brands and bands.
- Product Sales: Direct merchandise sales through e-commerce including books (The Biggest Story, Face The Music), apparel (hats, shirts), accessories (pens, playing cards), framed prints, and limited-edition collectibles.
- Publishing / Book Sales: Published books including The Biggest Story Bible Storybook (consistently ranked in Amazon Top 500 best-selling books), Face The Music monograph ($40), and The Biggest Story Advent. Revenue from book sales and licensing.
- Licensing & Collaborations: Licensing partnerships with brands including La Marzocco, Lakeshore Learning, Oxford Pennant, Retro 51, and Sub Pop for co-branded products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Face The Music Book |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dialogues Playing Cards |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Invisible Creature product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Invisible Creature, Inc. is a creative studio that provides illustration, design, and art direction services to brands, bands, and publishers, and creates unique objects and spaces including books, toys, games, apparel, and large-scale murals. Service work spans album packaging, brand identity, packaging design, strategy, animation, and film production, while own-brand products include The Biggest Story children's book suite, the Face The Music monograph, Dialogues playing cards, and limited-edition collaboration merchandise sold through a Shopify storefront and select retail partners.
Product overview
Invisible Creature is a design and illustration studio that functions as a single unified offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Their portfolio spans physical products (books, toys, playing cards, nativity sets, apparel) and creative services (illustration, graphic design, brand identity, packaging, animation, film). Key product lines include: The Biggest Story suite of children's books published with Crossway (Bible Storybook, Large Format Edition, Advent, Nativity Set); Face The Music monograph celebrating 20 years of album art; Dialogues Playing Cards with Unreasonable Hospitality and Theory 11; Lakeshore Learning designer decor collection; and general branded merchandise including hats, shirts, and accessories. Their service offerings cover illustration, graphic design, strategy, art direction, brand identity, packaging, animation, and film production. The studio has a dual presence (Arizona and Seattle) and maintains a shop for direct consumer sales alongside their client services business.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Face The Music Monograph Hardcover monograph celebrating twenty years of Invisible Creature album art, 400+ pages with 200+ album covers, foreword by Brandon Ebel, musician quotes, and stories behind iconic album covers; priced at $40.00.
- The Biggest Story Bible Storybook Children's Bible storybook published with Crossway, consistently ranked in Amazon's Top 500 best-selling books and a staple in the Children's Bible category; part of a broader suite including devotionals, curriculum, and activity resources.
- The Biggest Story Bible Storybook Large Format Edition Large format edition of The Biggest Story Bible Storybook featuring 10" x 14" pages, allowing the artwork to be viewed at grand scale.
- The Biggest Story Advent 25 lift-the-flap devotions taking kids through God's story from the beginning, leading to the birth of Jesus; family-oriented Advent devotional.
- The Biggest Story Nativity Set Wooden 10-piece nativity set made from solid maple with rich UV-printed artwork from The Biggest Story, limited to 50 sets.
- Dialogues Playing Cards Two-deck playing cards collaboration between Unreasonable Hospitality and Theory 11; includes one deck with lighthearted ice-breakers and one deck for deeper conversations; priced at $20.00.
- Lakeshore Learning Designer Decor Collection Exclusive designer decor collection created in collaboration with Lakeshore Learning, available for purchase at Lakeshore Learning stores and online.
- Design and Illustration Services Professional creative services including illustration, graphic design, strategy, art direction, brand identity, packaging, animation, and film production, delivered to major brands, bands, publishers, hospitality, and education clients for over two decades.
- Branded Merchandise (Hats, Shirts, Apparel, Accessories) Branded apparel and accessories line including hats, t-shirts, puzzles, and accessories, sold through the Invisible Creature shop and shipped daily from Arizona.
Quantifiable outcome
- The Biggest Story Bible Storybook consistently ranked in Amazon Top 500 best-selling books
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Invisible Creature
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Invisible Creature technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Invisible Creature partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.
- La MarzoccocoreItalian espresso machine manufacturer (handcrafting since 1927) partnership for design projects spanning over two years. Dream client known for beautifully engineered machines and deep respect for design. Collaboration includes creative freedom and ongoing design work.
- Lakeshore LearningcoreExclusive designer decor collection collaboration featuring IC-designed educational products available at Lakeshore Learning stores.
- Sub PopcoreSeattle-based independent record label (founded 1986) merchandise collaboration including t-shirts available at Seattle airport Sub Pop store and online. Hometown heroes partnership.
- Warby ParkernotableCapitol Hill Seattle location in-store mural and framed art project themed around books and eyeglasses featuring curious book-loving creatures.
- Vulcan Real Estate / SIFFnotable2014 massive exterior mural for iconic Seattle Cinerama Theatre as part of sweeping renovation. Located in downtown Seattle.
- Conrac Solutions / Newark Liberty International AirportnotableMajor airport renovation mural project following success of Cinerama Seattle project. Mark Pfeffer initiated contact after seeing the theater mural.
- Unreasonable Hospitality / Will GuidaranotableThe Field Guide publication collaboration with hospitality entrepreneur Will Guidara. Dialogues playing cards with Theory 11.
- Crossway / The Biggest StorycoreBible storybook series including The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, devotionals, curriculum, activity resources. Ongoing partnership creating children's content.
- Theory 11notablePlaying cards collaboration: Dialogues combines Unreasonable Hospitality conversation decks with Theory 11's card manufacturing expertise.
- Oxford PennantminorThird annual Christmas capsule with festive banners, camp flags, and pennants. Limited seasonal collaboration.
- Retro 51minorHoliday season pen collaboration with Retro 51. Limited archive sets released periodically.
- CanlisnotableSeattle fine dining restaurant collaboration. Featured alongside IC in Common Good Magazine studio feature.
- Forevergreen Film (Nathan Engelhardt & Jeremy Spears)notableEnd credits design for animated short film by Disney animators. Five years in production, blends animation with handmade artistry.
- Common Good MagazineminorStudio feature in Common Good Magazine alongside Canlis restaurant.
- Acquired Podcast / J.P. Morgan PaymentsnotableLive concert event production for Acquired podcast (J.P. Morgan Payments partner). Creative event direction.
- Thread (Web Development)notableWebsite development partner for 2025 website overhaul - first major refresh in a decade.
- Tooth & Nail Records / Brandon EbelnotableForeword by Brandon Ebel (founder of Tooth & Nail Records) in Face The Music monograph. Longstanding relationship in music industry.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Invisible Creature competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pentagram: Iconic multi-partner design firm offering brand identity, illustration, and packaging across a much broader portfolio; competes for the same premium design clients as Invisible Creature but at materially larger scale.
- Landor & Fitch: Large-scale global brand identity and design consultancy representing the broader incumbent end of the market competing for similar premium brand engagements such as Target, Warby Parker, and La Marzocco.
- Wieden+Kennedy: Major creative agency with Portland roots and a deep music/entertainment client roster; represents the scaled end of the spectrum against which Invisible Creature competes or partners for flagship engagements.
Direct peers
- Buck: Independent design and motion studio of comparable size and reputation offering brand identity, illustration, and animation services for enterprise clients with a similar B2B services + product-collaborations model.
- Studio Number One: Creative studio founded by Shepard Fairey offering design, art direction, and branded products with overlapping music and cultural client base - mirrors Invisible Creature's creator-led structure and product extension strategy.
- Manual Creative: Independent creative agency providing design, branding, and content services; comparable boutique B2B service model with strong brand-driven portfolio.
- Draplin Design Co. Independent designer Aaron Draplin's solo practice with branded merchandise, books, and design services - closely parallels Invisible Creature's creator-owned structure with product extensions and a tightly held creative voice.
- DKNG Studios: Design studio specializing in music-related artwork, posters, and branded merchandise; similar size, music-industry positioning, and product extension strategy.
- House Industries: Design and type studio selling branded merchandise, books, and limited-edition products directly to consumers while also offering client services - closely parallel to Invisible Creature's mix of services and licensed product lines.
- MUH-TAY-ZIK | MUNCH-SEA: Independent creative studio with comparable B2B design services and design-driven product offerings; similar boutique scale and brand-led portfolio approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Invisible Creature social profiles
Digital presenceInvisible Creature financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Invisible Creature leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Invisible Creature funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Invisible Creature 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 Invisible Creature
What does Invisible Creature do?
Invisible Creature, Inc. is a creative studio that provides illustration, design, and art direction services to brands, bands, and publishers, and creates unique objects and spaces including books, toys, games, apparel, and large-scale murals. Service work spans album packaging, brand identity, packaging design, strategy, animation, and film production, while own-brand products include The Biggest Story children's book suite, the Face The Music monograph, Dialogues playing cards, and limited-edition collaboration merchandise sold through a Shopify storefront and select retail partners.
Is Invisible Creature a public or private company?
Invisible Creature is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Invisible Creature founded?
Invisible Creature was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Invisible Creature based?
Invisible Creature is headquartered in Gold Canyon, United States, in the North America region.
How does Invisible Creature make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Creative Services / Agency Work is the primary driver. The others are product Sales, publishing / Book Sales and licensing & Collaborations.
Who are Invisible Creature's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pentagram, Landor & Fitch and Wieden+Kennedy. Direct peers are Buck, Studio Number One, Manual Creative, Draplin Design Co., DKNG Studios, House Industries and MUH-TAY-ZIK | MUNCH-SEA.
Does Invisible Creature have an API?
No public API is recorded for Invisible Creature.
What industry is Invisible Creature in?
Invisible Creature's product category is Design and Illustration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAFAA, Traditional Toy Stores, with a secondary code of CRALAFAD, Dolls, Plush & Action Figures Retail. Its NAICS code is 71151 and its SIC code is 5945.