The Netherlands has long been recognized as a global leader in design, with a thriving creative scene that has produced some of the world’s most innovative and influential studios. From graphic design to branding, interactive installations to art direction, Dutch design studios are renowned for their multidisciplinary approach, experimental spirit, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of the field. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at seven of the top design studios in the Netherlands, each with its own unique style and area of expertise.
1. Haller Brun
Haller Brun is an Amsterdam-based graphic design studio founded by Sonja Haller and Pascal Brun. With a focus on art, design, and architecture, the studio has established itself as a leading force in editorial design, combining Swiss precision with Dutch creativity and playfulness.
Projects
- “The Measurement of Presence” for the 58th Venice Biennale (2019)
- Capturing Nature Book (2022)
- Lucio Fontana – The Conquest of Space Book (2021)
Services
Haller Brun specializes in editorial design and works with a wide range of clients, including museums, publishers, brands, and cultural institutions. Their process is rooted in a deep understanding of content and based on strong concepts, resulting in clear, effective, and carefully crafted visual solutions.
Location
Haller Brun is located in the heart of Amsterdam, at Nieuwe Teertuinen 17-N.
🌐 Website: hallerbrun.eu
2. Mountain
Mountain is a full-service branding agency based in The Hague, known for creating sustainable and successful brands. With a focus on collaboration and a commitment to delivering more than expected, Mountain has earned a reputation as one of the Netherlands’ top design agencies.
Projects
- Milence branding
- Kwekkeboom Oven branding
- Akkerlust branding
- Cubanisto branding
Services
Mountain offers a comprehensive range of services, from strategic positioning and brand identity development to the creation of communication tools and the implementation of brand assets across various media. Their process involves close collaboration with clients to ensure that each brand is credible, relevant, distinctive, and effective.
Location
Mountain’s office is located in The Hague, allowing them to serve clients both locally and internationally.
🌐 Website: www.mountain.nl
3. Mainstudio
Founded by Edwin van Gelder, Mainstudio is an Amsterdam-based design practice that focuses on projects at the intersection of art and architecture. With a content-driven editorial approach and a strong emphasis on typography, Mainstudio creates immersive brand experiences that inspire and engage creative audiences.
Projects
- Interactive installations for Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, such as “Type/Dynamics”
- Book for MoMA NY about Ecology and Architecture
- Monograph for Wiel Arets Architects
- Magazine for TU Delft
Services
Mainstudio offers a range of services, including branding, graphic design, and art direction, with a particular focus on the cultural and creative sectors. Their process involves close collaboration with clients to develop strategic, content-driven solutions that are both visually striking and conceptually rigorous.
Location
Mainstudio is based in Amsterdam, allowing them to be closely connected to the city’s vibrant cultural and creative scene.
🌐 Website: mainstudio.com
4. Today
Today is a Utrecht-based branding agency known for its collaborative approach and high client satisfaction. With a focus on creating brands that are ready for tomorrow, Today combines strategic insights with appealing and effective design solutions.
Projects
- Milence branding
- Rabobank branding
- DigiD website for 13 million users
- Studiekeuze 123 branding
Services
Today offers comprehensive branding services, from brand strategy and positioning to visual identity development and implementation. Their process involves close collaboration with clients to ensure that each brand is credible, relevant, and distinctive while also being sustainable and successful in the long term.
Location
Today’s office is located in Utrecht, in the heart of the Netherlands.
🌐 Website: today.nl
5. Studio Dumbar
Studio Dumbar is an internationally recognized design studio based in Rotterdam, known for its innovative and multidisciplinary approach. Founded in 1977 by Gert Dumbar, the studio has consistently pushed the boundaries of graphic design, branding, and interactive media.
Projects
- “Beaufort’s Poetry” permanent installation at Forum, The Hague
- “Type/Dynamics” interactive installation for Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
- “Hyperlocator” installation at GEMAK, The Hague
- “Camera Postura” interactive film experience for the Nederlands Film Festival
Services
Studio Dumbar offers a wide range of services, from branding and visual identity to motion graphics, interactive installations, and digital design. Their process is driven by curiosity and experimentation, with a focus on creating meaningful, impactful experiences that connect with audiences on an emotional level.
Location
Studio Dumbar is located in the heart of Rotterdam, in close proximity to many of the city’s cultural institutions and creative businesses.
🌐 Website: studiodumbar.com
6. Design & Practice
Design & Practice is an Amsterdam-based studio that specializes in branding, graphic design, and art direction for clients in the cultural, creative, and interior sectors. With a focus on tactile design and a commitment to craftsmanship, Design & Practice creates thought-provoking experiences that elevate creative brands worldwide.
Projects
- TEFAF (The European Fine Art Foundation) branding
- Olin Origins branding
- Olin Design branding
- Tom Dixon branding
Services
Design & Practice offers a comprehensive range of services, from brand strategy and visual identity development to graphic design, art direction, and spatial design. Their process is driven by a philosophy of experimentation and artistic research, resulting in solutions that are both conceptually rigorous and visually stunning.
Location
Design & Practice is located in Amsterdam, allowing them to be closely connected to the city’s thriving cultural and creative communities.
🌐 Website: www.designandpractice.com
7. LUST
LUST was a multidisciplinary graphic design practice based in The Hague that was formed in 1996. While the studio itself has since closed, its impact on the Dutch design scene and its innovative approach to bridging the gap between the digital and physical world continue to inspire designers around the globe.
Projects
- “Hyperlocator” installation at GEMAK, The Hague
- “Camera Postura” interactive film experience for the Nederlands Film Festival
- “Type/Dynamics” interactive installation for Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
- “Res Sapiens” project merging the digital and physical world
Services
LUST and LUSTlab focused on creating new communication tools, man-machine installations, and physical products that used digital content in innovative ways. Their process was driven by a desire to “humanize the unhuman” and bring the digital world into closer dialogue with the physical.
Location
LUST was based in The Hague until its closure.
Diversity and Innovation of Dutch Design Studios
The Netherlands is home to a remarkable array of design studios, each contributing in its own way to the country’s reputation as a global leader in design innovation. From the editorial precision of Haller Brun to the digital-physical explorations of LUST, the branding expertise of Mountain and Today to the immersive experiences created by Mainstudio and Design & Practice, these studios demonstrate the diversity and dynamism of the Dutch design scene.
For those seeking inspiration or in need of design services, we encourage you to explore the portfolios of these top Dutch design studios further. Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge branding, innovative interactive experiences, or thought-provoking editorial design, these studios offer a wealth of creativity and expertise that is sure to leave a lasting impact.
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with any of the studios mentioned in this article and do not provide design services ourselves. The purpose of this article is to offer an informative overview and review of notable Dutch design studios based on our research. We encourage readers to conduct their own research and explore a wide range of Dutch design studios to find the best fit for their specific needs and preferences.