The Design Laboratory
The Design Laboratory is a London-headquartered, multi-disciplinary design studio founded in 2003, delivering brand identity, packaging, digital, editorial, industrial, spatial, and experience design to startups, SMBs, and global luxury and consumer enterprises.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Design Laboratory does
The Design Laboratory (trading as designlaboratory*) is a privately held, multi-disciplinary design studio founded in 2003 and headquartered in King's Cross, London. With a distributed team of 1–10 people across London, Florence, and Perth, the studio delivers eight interconnected design disciplines: brand identity and positioning, packaging design, editorial design, digital design (web/UX/UI executed in Figma), industrial and product design, spatial and interior design, experience design, and strategy and insights. Its work spans brand strategy workshops, identity systems, packaging, websites, physical products, retail and exhibition spaces, and immersive experiences for clients ranging from startups and SMBs to global luxury and consumer enterprises across spirits (Dom Pérignon, Hennessy, Grey Goose, Cointreau, Glenmorangie), fashion (Robe Di Kappa, Warrior Addict), technology (Pure LiFi, Apheris, Maple), child safety and baby products (Britax Römer, Matchstick Monkey, Baby Mori), and hospitality (Heston Blumenthal).
The studio operates a professional services, project-based revenue model. Clients — described as visionary leaders, founders, and investors — initiate engagements directly through the website's "Start a project" call to action. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the firm positions itself as a premium, bespoke studio without a house style. Go-to-market is sales-led and portfolio-driven: the website showcases 60+ case studies across eight discipline pages, supported by client testimonials and a newsletter channel. There are no intermediaries, no productised offerings, and no disclosed funding or acquisition activity.
Underlying the studio's operating model is a long-running strategic partnership with Central Saint Martins (since 2015), including the Les Visionnaires Scholarship Fund with Grey Goose, which gives the studio privileged access to emerging creative talent. The firm is founder-led, with co-founder Boris Thuery serving as CEO, and the broader team draws on CSM fellows and lecturers across project credits. After 22 years of continuous operation the studio remains independently owned, with no parent company, external investors, or M&A history disclosed.
The Design Laboratory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Design Laboratory
- Legal name
- The Design Laboratory
- Website
- https://designlaboratory.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Design Laboratory is a London-headquartered, multi-disciplinary design studio founded in 2003, delivering brand identity, packaging, digital, editorial, industrial, spatial, and experience design to startups, SMBs, and global luxury and consumer enterprises.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Design Laboratory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Brand Design Services
- NAICS
- Industrial Design Services (54142), Interior Design Services (541410), Graphic Design Services (541430), Other Specialized Design Services (54149)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM), Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Event Theming, Mood Boards & Concept Design (HSACAOAH)
Keywords
Where The Design Laboratory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Design Laboratory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Design Services: Professional design services including brand identity, packaging design, digital/web design, editorial design, industrial/product design, spatial/interior design, and experience design. Works on project basis with visionary leaders, founders and established brands.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
The Design Laboratory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Design Laboratory is a multidisciplinary design agency that crafts brand identities, packaging, digital experiences, editorial publications, industrial/product designs, spatial interiors and experience design for visionary leaders, founders and established enterprises. The studio delivers interconnected creative services across eight disciplines, working on a quote-based project engagement model spanning sectors from luxury spirits and fashion to technology, finance and hospitality.
Product overview
The Design Laboratory is a design studio offering a portfolio of interconnected creative services rather than a unified software product. Their core offering spans eight disciplines: Brand Identity & Positioning, Packaging Design, Editorial Design, Digital Design (web/UX/UI), Industrial & Product Design, Spatial & Interior Design, Experience Design, and Strategy & Insights. The studio works across sectors including F&B, fashion, technology, finance, and hospitality, creating brand ecosystems, packaging, websites, physical spaces, and strategic brand guidance for clients ranging from startups to global enterprises.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Brand Identity & Positioning
- Packaging Design Provides packaging design services with a focus on bespoke and custom packaging solutions, FMCG label design, POS design, art-working and print production management for brands across spirits, wine, FMCG and consumer goods.
- Editorial Design Transforms stories into visually compelling editorial experiences through print and digital mediums, combining impactful storytelling with layout design, typography and imagery for clients in publishing, luxury and arts.
- Digital Design Offers web design, user experience design, interface design and motion design services, developing elegant design systems and guidelines using Figma for practical digital experiences across websites, apps and platforms.
- Industrial & Product Design Provides specialist 3D and industrial design capabilities from concept design and sketching through to rapid prototyping, including 3D visualisation, rendering and production drawings for physical products across baby gear, e-mobility, eyewear and consumer devices.
- Spatial & Interior Design Crafts spaces that bring brands to life in the physical world, blending user experience insights with design expertise to create immersive, branded environments, from wayfinding systems to bespoke retail and venue interiors.
- Experience Design Crafts immersive, purpose-driven experiences that go beyond aesthetics, connecting brands to people on a personal level through physical spaces, digital journeys or blended physical-digital engagements.
- Strategy & Insights Delivers robust brand strategy including brand expansions, brand naming, future-proofing, product mapping, brand research, trend and industry insights, and trend reports and forecasting to inform client design and business direction.
Quantifiable outcome
- Sustained 20+ year track record with 2003-2025 operation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Design Laboratory
Customer profileNamed customers67 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Design Laboratory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Design Laboratory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Love & MoneyminorWebsite partner for Tileyard project.
- Central Saint MartinscorePartnership for Les Visionnaires Scholarship Fund with Grey Goose, involving 21 influential alumni. Also collaborated on Baby Mori student brief and Cointreau limited edition design.
- Liberté PresscoreEditorial partnership to bring stories to life through innovative design and quality publishing, creating impactful editorial experiences.
- Chronicle BookscoreProduction partner for the Alchemy of the Senses coffee table book project with Jean-Charles Boisset.
- Teresa RodriguezcoreEditor for Alchemy of the Senses book project, working closely with The Design Laboratory on editorial and storytelling.
- Central Saint Martins CollegecoreCollaborated on Cointreau limited edition bottles, inspired by Jardin des Hesperides theme.
- MTart AgencycoreArtist partnership agency for Method's The Art Collection, briefing and managing three artists including Adelaide Damoah, Zdenek Konvalina, and Jasmine Pradissito.
- RiedelminorRenowned glassmaker collaboration for Glenmorangie's 'The Drop' hand-blown decanter and glass set.
- Daniel Martin DiazminorIllustrator for the Alchemy of the Senses book project.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Design Laboratory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IDEO: Global design and innovation firm spanning industrial/product, digital, and brand design; comparable in offering industrial design, digital UX, and strategic brand work for enterprise clients.
- Pentagram: Independent, partner-led design agency delivering brand identity, packaging, digital, and editorial design; directly comparable multidisciplinary creative services and enterprise client mix.
- GBH (London): Independent London design agency delivering brand strategy, identity, packaging, and digital for premium brands; directly comparable boutique UK creative agency.
- Saffron Brand Consultants: Brand consultancy specialising in brand strategy, naming, and identity; comparable brand-focused work, especially for global enterprises and challenger brands.
- Landor & Fitch: Specialist brand and design consultancy delivering brand strategy, identity, packaging, and experience design; direct competitor for premium F&B and luxury engagements.
- Frog Design: Design and engineering firm offering industrial design, brand identity, and digital experience; comparable multi-disciplinary design agency model.
- Wolff Olins: Global brand consultancy offering brand identity, experience, and design services for major enterprises; comparable scope of work and premium/luxury client roster.
- Manual (now The Manual): Boutique brand and digital design agency delivering identity, packaging, and digital design for premium consumer brands; closely comparable boutique design agency model.
Emerging players
- Koto Studio: Brand and design studio focused on brand identity, digital design, and packaging for tech-forward and consumer brands; emerging boutique peer with overlapping offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Designworks (a BMW Group Company): Global design consultancy offering brand, digital, and industrial design at scale; broader portfolio play with similar service lines, including industrial/product design.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Design Laboratory social profiles
Digital presenceThe Design Laboratory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Design Laboratory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Design Laboratory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Design Laboratory 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 The Design Laboratory
What does The Design Laboratory do?
The Design Laboratory is a multidisciplinary design agency that crafts brand identities, packaging, digital experiences, editorial publications, industrial/product designs, spatial interiors and experience design for visionary leaders, founders and established enterprises. The studio delivers interconnected creative services across eight disciplines, working on a quote-based project engagement model spanning sectors from luxury spirits and fashion to technology, finance and hospitality.
Is The Design Laboratory a public or private company?
The Design Laboratory is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Design Laboratory founded?
The Design Laboratory was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Design Laboratory based?
The Design Laboratory is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Design Laboratory make money?
One revenue line is on record: design Services.
Who are The Design Laboratory's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IDEO, Pentagram, GBH (London), Saffron Brand Consultants, Landor & Fitch, Frog Design, Wolff Olins and Manual (now The Manual). Koto Studio is listed as an emerging player. Designworks (a BMW Group Company) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Design Laboratory have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Design Laboratory.
What industry is The Design Laboratory in?
The Design Laboratory's product category is Brand Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAAAD, Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX), with a secondary code of BPAHAKAM, Industrial/Product & Furniture Design. Its NAICS code is 54142 and its SIC code is 7373.