Civilization is a design studio that creates digital and physical experiences for fellow designers, architects, cultural institutions, and grassroots organizers.
Designing
for Advocacy
We use design to communicate messages of equity and justice, co-creating with organizers to better serve their communities and raise awareness across critical issues.
- Abortion Access
- Anti‑Racist Education
- Climate Action
- End‑of‑Life Care
- Gender Discrimination
- Gun Violence
- HIV/AIDS History
- Houselessness
- Immigration Rights
- LGBTQ+ Advocacy
- Public Health
- Suicide Prevention
- Workers’ Rights
Advocating
for Design
We collaborate with leading designers, architects, and cultural institutions to communicate their unique perspectives and connect people with art, design, and education.
- Architecture
- Biomimicry
- Fashion
- Film
- Furniture
- Literary Arts
- Industrial Design
- Performing Arts
- Product Design
- Visual Arts
Selected Work
Inspiring Innovation with Nature
Designing with Principles
Uniting to Prevent Suicide
Introducing Infinite Possibilities
Looking Hate in the Typeface
Reaching into the Past to Inform the Future
Amplifying Abortion Access
Listening to the Land
Turning Awareness into Action
Motivating Global Leaders
Gamifying Climate Action
Immortalizing Messages of Resistance
Studio
Our Team
Civilization’s core team is small, decentralized, and built on a collaborative foundation that values our collective intelligence and creativity. With origins in the Pacific Northwest and a network built over 20 years of public programming and design community engagement, we’re capable of bringing in specialists – whether they’re copywriters, illustrators, type designers, social media consultants, printers, technologists, etc. – exactly when a project needs them. Our strength is collaboration.
-
Michael Ellsworth
Principal & Owner Seattle + Portland -
Corey Gutch
Principal & Owner New York + Buenos Aires -
Raya Leary
Research & Project Strategy Porto -
Shaun Kardinal
Web Development Philadelphia
Past Team Members
- Elise Carlson
Account Management - Giancarlo Cateriano
Design - Trish Chua
Account Management - Jenny Crimp
Web Development - Pierre Crutchfield
Web Development - Molly Derse
Partnerships - Matthew Dressman
Web Development - Michael Evans
Design - Maggie Fowler
Design - Sal Hill
Project Management - Tiffany Hsu
Design - Vivian Hua
Design - Jonathan Hudak
Web Development - Andrew J.S.
Design - Alison McKay
Web Development - Cori Ready
Marketing - Gabriel Stromberg
Creative Direction - Òscar Viñas
Design - Melenie Yap
Social Media
Recognition
We’ve been honored with multiple awards, including the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian National Design Award for Communication Design, Webby Awards (Best Activist, Education, and Architecture, Art and Design categories), and Anthem Awards (Best Community Engagement — Global Awareness, Health, and Human Rights categories, and Best Health Education/Literacy Platform — Product, Innovation, or Service categories). Our work is included in the permanent collection of the Milton Glaser Design Archives at the School of Visual Arts, New York, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Over the years our work and studio has been featured in numerous publications, periodicals, and magazines that champion communication design.
Workshops, Lectures, Initiatives
Creating experiences that inspire, educate, and connect with the public is core to our studio. We lead workshops globally through universities, museums, and conferences, regularly teach classes for all ages, and design and curate exhibitions, all aimed at connecting people with design.
We frequently lecture at conferences and universities, our most recent talks include: “Y2K to Today” about the history of our studio and “SHOUT!” a presentation that examines how visual communication can work as a rallying cry to address some of society’s most complex and pressing issues.
Our past programs and initiatives include our Seattle-based Design Lecture Series, interview series Beyond This Point, and design gallery Non‑Breaking Space.
Today, we are expanding the Characters exhibition to places around the world, at a time when civil rights history is minimized, contested, or erased. At our pop-up design library Volumes, we celebrate the power of analog design to connect people, spark conversations, and inspire new ideas.
Clients + Partners
For the last 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible clients and partners across the globe, from international nonprofits and grassroots movements to visionary designers and organizations shaping the future.
We’ve fine-tuned our process and communication methods to ensure that every stakeholder has their voice heard, feels supported, and is confident in the project’s outcomes. Our research-driven approach and years of experience working with large boards and leadership teams allow us to build consensus and realize a shared vision.