About TCW
Located in New York City and New Orleans, The Collected Works is an independent design studio that crafts brands in motion. We’re a team of creative directors, designers, animators, and technologists with clients spanning across music, art, technology, and culture. We’re able to deliver exceptional results that you might only expect from a big agency, with the speed, efficiency, and flexibility of a boutique studio - with over a decade of rad work to show for it.
If you’re down to get rad with us,
we’d love to hear from you.
Partnering With Us
The Power of TCW
Our best work involves developing holistic identity systems that integrate seamlessly across various mediums. We specialize in crafting dynamic systems that flow effortlessly across print, web, and motion. The most successful collaborations stem from early engagement, where we incorporate our unique blend of research, development, inspiration gathering, and presenting diverse directions at the outset of the design process. The end results are a testament to our process. Hit us up from the beginning.
Our Work
TCW in 2 minutes
Clients That Got Rad With Us
Partnering with Us
Our Capabilities
Over the past decade, we’ve proudly collaborated with hundreds of diverse clients, making waves across multiple industries. We’ve designed identity systems for festivals and events that have sold over half a million tickets and have played an instrumental role for startups that garnered tens of millions in funding. Our influence is measurable. We empower clients we believe in by creating work that we genuinely love. Many of these clients choose us as their creative allies time and time again, creating enduring relationships.
Our Process
Phase 01
Strategic Foundations
To initiate every project, we begin with an information-gathering phase focused on brand strategy. This initial step involves a comprehensive discussion with the client to understand their vision, goals, target audience, and competitive landscape. We dive deep into the brand’s core values, positioning, and unique selling points while exploring industry trends and customer insights. Simultaneously, we collect fragments of inspiration and potential strategic entry points, including messaging frameworks, tone of voice, and aesthetic influences. The objective is to uncover opportunities for differentiation and cohesively align the brand’s strategy with its visual and verbal identity, which will later inform conceptual directions.
Deliverables
- Brand Positioning Statement
- Messaging Framework
Phase 02
Begin Clustering
In phase two, we shift from exploration to organization. This is where fragments of inspiration are sorted into conceptual categories, forming the foundation of distinct design directions. Ideas that once stood alone begin to connect, evolving into cohesive design ecosystems with their own unique narratives and visual language. These clusters represent separate creative worlds, each offering a compelling pathway to explore and refine. By presenting these clusters as distinct directions, we open the door to focused development and a deeper exploration of each concept’s potential.
Deliverables
- Moodboard & Inspiration Document
Phase 03
Start Focusing
In phase three, we hone in on the selected design direction, bringing it to life through detailed development and refinement. This is where the concept gains depth and cohesion, as we strengthen connections between deliverables and align every element with the brand’s vision. Colors, typography, and design aesthetics are unified into a harmonious and dynamic identity system, creating a foundation that’s both cohesive and impactful.
Deliverables
- Design Directions
- Motion Exploration
Phase 04
Commence Delivery
In the final phase, we transform the refined design ecosystem into a comprehensive brand toolkit. The conceptual direction we’ve meticulously developed is solidified into detailed brand guidelines, ready for seamless implementation. Alongside this, we provide an organized folder containing every asset and thoughtful recommendations for deployment. While the design system may evolve and expand over time, the brand universe we’ve created is a vibrant foundation, and we’re excited to see it come to life.
Deliverables
- Comprehensive Brand Guidelines
- Organized Asset Library
Awards & Press
Featured In
Our Crew
Let’s Crash Your Event
TCW Speaking
The Collected Works (TCW) loves nothing more than being handed a microphone and a chance to share our journey, lessons learned, and the occasional design disaster at speaking events. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of presenting at various festivals and venues such as Brand New: First Round, The New York Times, Pentagram, The School of Visual Arts, and the New York Design Club, among others. Our talks delve into the adventure of starting and running a design studio in NYC for over a decade, the thrill of tackling various projects with a huge range of clients, and the broader experience of navigating the complexities of life. Interested in booking TCW for a festival or conference? We’re game, let’s chat: wowfactor@thecollectedworks.com
Interested in a job?
We’d love to hear from you!
We’re always down to connect with creative and talented individuals. Even if we don’t have any open positions at the moment, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out and let’s explore the possibility of working together.
Join The Team
01
Design Intern
We’re currently looking for a part-time design intern (2–3 days a week). The perfect candidate must have a deep love for typography, self-initiated projects, generative art, and great music. You’ll get to work on real projects with our team—no coffee runs, just rad collaboration. This is a paid opportunity, complete with Summer Fridays, studio lunches, and plenty of space to flex your creativity.
Keep in touch
Hit us up
Let's Get Rad