Keeping tabs on the industry and looking at great work is a must for any graphic designer. Here are some of my favorites.

I’m sure you have some in mind, too, so make sure you leave a comment and let me know who you like. Hopefully we can help each other discover some new crushes.

Duffy & Partners

These guys are the best in the world right now, in my opinion. Seems like everything they touch is just way ahead of everyone else.

Design Army

One of my favorites for a long time. They were just featured in the most recent Communication Arts. I really enjoy their strong use of typography as a design element.

Aesthetic Apparatus

I have a big soft spot for poster design and screen printing. No one does it better.

Blok Design

Discovered the amazing Vanessa Eckstein in a design magazine. She’s unstoppable. She can somehow pair her European grids with a wonderful sense of texture to achieve unbelievable results.

Modern Dog Design Co.

A classic design studio in Seattle. Well-known for quirky posters and products.

The Heads of State

Another poster shop; one of the best around. Great illustrative logo work as well.

Hatch Design

I shed a tear for Templin Brink Design, but I guess every good thing must come to an end. This is Joel Templin’s new shop. Very fresh design approach.

Tomorrow Partners

Gaby Brink was the other partner from TBD who recently started a new gig. She has a great structured style that I really identify with.

AdamsMorioka

A classic shop who’s been leading the way for a long time. I had the pleasure of meeting both Sean Adams and Noreen Morioka at the AIGA conference in 2007.

Design Ranch

Love the name and attitude of this great little shop.

Little Jacket

I always enjoyed the work produced by these guys. Mike Burton has moved on, so I’m curious to see where they go from here.

Ed Nacional

I forget how I found this guy, but I love his work. Great use of typography and an appreciation for the handmade.

Gardner Design

The shop that founded the LogoLounge series of books. Some of the best identity work.

EightHourDay

A fun new studio featured in the Fresh section of Communication Arts.

Werner Designwerks

One of the best studios in the mega design center of Minneapolis.

One Trick Pony

I can’t think of a better name for a design studio.

Headcase Design

Funky diagram illustrations with loads of texture. Paul Kepple is probably the most prolific graduate of Tyler (Pentagram partners don’t count).

Capsule

Read the logo book they produced with Rockport. Good stuff.

Jessica Hische

Unbelievably talented designer and illustrator. Just featured in Print Magazine as a top young designer.

Mutt Ink

New website and wonderful textured illustrations.