What asterisk group does

Asterisk Group is an integrated design firm founded around 2000 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, that creates experiential environments, signage and wayfinding systems, environmental graphics, brand identities, donor recognition programs, and art installations for the built environment. The firm serves four primary verticals: real estate developers (United Properties, RedLeaf Properties, Presidium, Fulcrum, Gilbane), corporate enterprises (Oracle, NI), educational and cultural institutions (University of Texas at Dallas, Austin PBS), and government/transit authorities (CapMetro). Asterisk operates as a professional services firm with project-based, quote-driven pricing and multi-year contract cadence, with no disclosed tier pricing.

The firm's go-to-market relies on direct enterprise relationships and long-standing preferred-partner status with elite architecture firms—Morphosis, Gensler, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Lake|Flato, and Robert A.M. Stern Architects—who bring Asterisk into projects at the schematic design stage. Notable engagements include 250+ experiential graphics and art installations across Oracle's 1 million SF Austin global headquarters (with STG Design), a 1 million SF interior art, graphics, and signage program for NI's global HQ (with Gensler), the Netflix Albuquerque Studios Art of Craft project, and a complete wayfinding and brand standards system for CapMetro's $7 billion Project Connect expansion. The firm produces no software or API product; its "technology" consists of proprietary design methodologies for translating data and brand narratives into integrated physical installations.

Asterisk has been recognized with 17+ industry awards between 2024 and 2025 from SEGD, Graphis, AIGA, MHN, IIDA, Interior Design Magazine, Graphic Design USA, and the International Design Awards, positioning it as a category-leading experiential design firm. The company is privately held (Asterisk Group, Inc., Texas-domiciled), with no disclosed funding, parent entity, or institutional investors. Asterisk is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025 and recently expanded internationally through a brand, messaging, and multi-office signage engagement with Information Evolution spanning India, Costa Rica, and the Philippines.

Name

asterisk group

Legal name

Asterisk Group, Inc.

Website

https://asteriskdesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Asterisk Group is an Austin-based integrated design firm that creates experiential environments, signage and wayfinding systems, environmental graphics, and brand identities for real estate developers, corporate enterprises, cultural institutions, and transit authorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Experiential and Environmental Graphic Design Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143), Graphic Design Services (541430), Advertising Agencies (541810)

akta.pro primary industry

Visual Identity & Brand Design Systems (BPAFAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wayfinding, Signage & Environmental Graphic Design (BPAHAKAN)

Keywords

• Experiential design services
• Environmental graphic design
• Signage and wayfinding
• Brand identity design
• Placemaking and donor recognition

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Branding and Identity: Brand strategy, visual identity development, messaging architecture, and brand guidelines for real estate developers, corporations, and institutions
2. Environmental Graphics and Signage: Design and documentation of signage systems, wayfinding programs, environmental graphics, and donor recognition installations for built environments
3. Experiential Design and Art Curation: Design, content development, art production, fabrication management, and installation oversight for art installations and experiential graphics in commercial and institutional spaces
4. Marketing Collateral and Campaign Development: Creation of marketing materials, pitch decks, websites, social media toolkits, and campaign assets for real estate projects and corporate clients

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Asterisk Group is an integrated design firm that develops brand strategy, visual identity, environmental graphics, signage and wayfinding, art installations, donor recognition, and interpretive exhibits for built environments. The firm serves real estate developers, corporate enterprises, cultural institutions, and government agencies by unifying brand identity with physical space design across corporate campuses, mixed-use developments, museums, universities, and transit systems.

Product overview

Asterisk Group is a design and branding agency offering integrated brand experiences. The company operates as a single unified service offering rather than a platform with discrete software products. Their portfolio includes Experiential Design, Art Installations, Signage and Wayfinding, Donor Recognition, Interpretive Exhibits, Branding and Identity, Marketing Collateral and Campaigns, Website Design, and Environmental Graphics. Projects span corporate headquarters (NI, Oracle), entertainment studios (Netflix), cultural institutions (Austin PBS, UT Dallas Athenaeum), residential developments (The Row, Bishop Momo, Perch), and public facilities. The agency collaborates with architecture and development partners to deliver holistic brand experiences across physical and digital touchpoints.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Experiential Design Design of immersive, multi-sensory brand experiences in physical spaces, including environmental graphics, art installations, and interactive environments that engage users in their surroundings, for enterprise clients in real estate, corporate, cultural, and government sectors.
• Signage and Wayfinding Comprehensive signage programs including exterior building identification, interior directional signage, vehicular and pedestrian wayfinding, and ADA-compliant signage systems for developers, campuses, transit agencies, and cultural institutions.
• Art Installations Creation of large-scale art installations and graphics for corporate environments, public spaces, and cultural institutions, often incorporating data visualization, interactive elements, and site-specific local context.
• Donor Recognition Design of donor acknowledgment systems including wall installations, plaques, and commemorative elements for museums, universities, and non-profit organizations.
• Interpretive Exhibits Development of interpretive graphics and exhibits that communicate historical, cultural, or educational narratives in museums, nature centers, and public spaces.
• Branding and Identity Creation of brand identities including naming, visual identity systems, logo design, message architecture, and brand strategy for real estate developments, corporate clients, and cultural institutions.
• Marketing Collateral and Campaigns Development of marketing materials including brochures, social media assets, pitch decks, and advertising campaigns to support brand launches and ongoing marketing efforts for real estate and corporate clients.
• Website Design Design of websites and digital presences that align with brand identity systems, including responsive design and digital marketing integration.
• Environmental Graphics Large-scale graphic design applied to interior and exterior building environments, including wallcoverings, window graphics, and architectural integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• NI Global HQ project won three major design awards (AIGA 365, Graphis Silver, SEGD Merit) in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• MorphosiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture and design firm; Asterisk handles signage, wayfinding, and donor recognition for Morphosis-designed projects including UT Dallas Athenaeum Arts and Performance Complex (both Phase 1 Crow Museum and Phase 2 performing arts center)
• GenslercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal architecture firm; collaboration with interiors team on NI Global HQ renovation delivering interior art, graphics, and signage program for 1 million SF campus
• STG DesigncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior design firm; close collaboration on Oracle Austin headquarters project handling theming, content development, and fabrication management for 250+ installations
• Lake | FlatocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm; Asterisk handles signage and wayfinding for Bell District (Cedar Park) and Bee Cave Public Library projects designed by Lake|Flato
• KPF (Kohn Pedersen Fox)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal architecture firm; collaboration on BESA (Broadway East San Antonio) 15-acre mixed-use district with Asterisk providing brand messaging and visual identity
• Robert A. M. Stern Architects (RAMSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious architecture firm; Asterisk part of team for UT Austin Main Tower renovation and University of Michigan 2,300-bed student housing complex
• DCL (Design Communications Ltd)keyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication partner for multiple projects including Netflix Albuquerque Studios and University of Michigan student housing; handles installation of Asterisk-designed installations
• PresidiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of The Row (314-acre southeast Austin mixed-use development); Asterisk handles branding, B2B marketing, and signage
• RedLeaf PropertiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate developer; ongoing relationship with Asterisk for Bell District (54-acre Cedar Park development) and Highland redevelopment projects
• Sherry Matthews GroupkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCapMetro's longtime agency of record; collaborated with Asterisk on CapMetro rebranding project using their industry and audience knowledge
• Shield Ranch FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit stewards of 6,400-acre ranch; Asterisk provided signage, wayfinding, interpretive graphics, and donor recognition design for The Campsite at Shield Ranch (131-acre nature immersion facility)
• Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture firm; part of team for UT Austin Main Tower landmark restoration project
• BGK ArchitectskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm; part of stellar team for UT Austin Main Tower restoration alongside RAMSA and MVVA
• DLR GroupkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm; Asterisk providing signage, wayfinding, and donor recognition for Paramount Theatre restoration in Austin
• Gilbane DevelopmentkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment company; Asterisk partnered for Aer multifamily project (375 residences in Austin's South Lamar)
• Urban Foundry ArchitecturekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm; design of Aer multifamily project in South Lamar
• Chioco DesignkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm; collaboration on The Row development in southeast Austin
• Blacksmith CollaborativekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm; collaboration on The Row development in southeast Austin
• Good + WestkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm; longstanding collaboration with Asterisk on Perch single-family rental brand (Denton, Fort Worth, Austin locations)
• Zydeco DevelopmentkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of The Westlyn project in Austin's Clarksville neighborhood; Asterisk designing signage and wayfinding
• Miró Rivera ArchitectskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm; design of The Westlyn project
• TenEyck Landscape ArchitectskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture; collaboration on The Campsite at Shield Ranch project
• Andersson / WisekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm; design of The Campsite at Shield Ranch
• Content & ContextkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranding firm; developed Heyday brand name and messaging system in collaboration with Asterisk
• Belshaw Mulholland ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm for Windsor Commons residential development in Austin's Windsor Park
• Michael Hsu Office of ArchitectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm for Windsor Commons residential development
• TBG PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture for Windsor Commons project
• Keaton InteriorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design firm for Shelby Ranch residential development in southeast Austin
• Manning SignsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSignage fabrication for Shelby Ranch building signage
• Studio SteinbomerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design for Austin PBS public areas
• Britt Design GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior concepts for Austin PBS project
• Information EvolutionkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI and technology company; Asterisk developing new brand, messaging system, redesigned website, and office signage across India, Costa Rica, and Philippines offices

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Gensler: Global architecture and design firm that operates an in-house environmental graphic design practice; competes for similar work and is also a key referral channel into Asterisk, making it both partner and competitor.
• Pentagram: Larger, broader design firm with overlapping brand identity and environmental graphics work for major institutions and developers; competes at the brand-system layer rather than full integrated EGD delivery.

Direct peers

• Selbert Perkins Design: California-headquartered experiential graphic design firm focused on wayfinding, placemaking, and branded environments for transit, healthcare, and corporate campuses — direct peer in the EGD space.
• Entro Communications: Canadian-based experiential graphic design and wayfinding firm with comparable integrated brand-environment work for transit, corporate, and cultural clients — the closest like-for-like competitor to Asterisk in scope and scale.
• Calori & Vanden-Eynden: Chicago-based design firm with a dedicated environmental graphic design practice serving corporate, institutional, and developer clients; comparable integrated design-for-built-environment offering.
• Two Twelve: NYC-based environmental graphic design and wayfinding studio serving real estate developers, transit authorities, and cultural institutions with a similar integrated brand-and-built-environment offering.
• Poulin + Morris: NYC-based graphic design firm with a strong environmental graphics and signage practice for cultural institutions, healthcare, and corporate clients; comparable in integrated brand-environment work.
• Ashton Design: Los Angeles design firm specializing in wayfinding, signage, donor recognition, and branded environments for cultural, educational, and civic clients — directly comparable in craft and client mix.
• Jump Studios: London-based experiential design studio working on branded environments, workplace graphics, and exhibitions — comparable niche experiential design practice serving global enterprise clients.

Others

• Design Communications Ltd (DCL): Fabrication and implementation partner of Asterisk on multiple projects; an adjacent ecosystem participant that could be a partner or vertical competitor for integrated signage delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asteriskdesign
• Instagraminstagram.com/asterisk_design

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 asterisk group