New York’s design energy hits different. You’ve got big-name agencies in Manhattan doing polished work for global brands — but that’s just scratching the surface. Over in Brooklyn, and way up in places like Buffalo or Albany, there’s a whole wave of studios doing their own thing: designing apps, shaping identities, building wild ideas into real experiences. Some work with startups. Others with museums, SaaS products, nonprofits. The common thread? They’re sharp, fast-moving, and not afraid to push boundaries. If you need branding that actually lands — or a product that people want to use — chances are, you’ll find the right team here. We’ve pulled together the ones that are worth your time.