Design Dept transforms brands through the art of story, craft, and simplicity.
We specialize in brand strategy, branding, design and digital experience across all platforms.
As a global collective of ambitious and entrepreneurial thinkers, we’re fueled by curiosity, wild imagination, and a deep passion for stretching the boundaries of convention.
Our clients trust us to understand their business challenges, unearth strategic truths, and deliver thoughtful design solutions. We believe that intuitive design positively influences human behavior.
Our partnerships span startups to evolving brands in need of design excellence that will unlock their full potential.
Expertise
Team
Ali Martín Filsoof
Founder, Creative Director
Founder, Creative Director
Ali Martín Filsoof was born in historic Tehran, Iran then spent his formative years in the artful Barranco District of Peru and eventually moved to the U.S. where he studied graphic design at the School of Art + Design at SDSU, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in graphic design. Before founding Design Dept®, he served as Design Director at Phenomenon, responsible for overseeing all brand design work for renowned clients including Amex, Virgin Galactic, Marriott, P&G Ventures and DVH. Filsoof’s work has received international recognition from prestigious organizations such as AIGA, Dieline Awards, Art Directors Club, Art Directors Club of Europe, One Show, Clio Awards, Graphis, Communication Arts, Pent Awards, and has been featured in publications including Taschen and Rockport Publishers. He has been a member of the AIGA since university and has sat on the Board of Directors for AIGA Los Angeles. Recently, he was added to the esteemed international jury for the Dieline Design Awards.
Xinyi Shao
Brand Designer
Brand Designer
Xinyi Shao was born in China. She is a brand designer at Design Dept® based in San Francisco, specializing in brand identity, editorial design and digital design. Her work has been recognized and awarded by TDC, Graphis Awards, Communication Arts Awards, Creative Communication Awards, IDA Design Awards, and Core77 Awards. Influenced by her former finance background, her emphasis on reasoning and precision has made her value research and process, which brings originality and depth to her work. With a root in typography and interests in technology, she explores new ways of making according to the rapidly changing world and media environment. She holds an MFA in graphic design from ArtCenter College of Design and a BS in Finance from Southern University of Science and Technology.
Experience
Design Dept collaborates with Synchronized Studio, Awwwards' Studio of the Year, for site launch
Ali Martín Filsoof was added to the esteemed international jury of designers for the Dieline Design Awards.
Ventures
Design Dept Ventures invests both time and capital into sustainably focused brands and startups with synergistic missions.
If you want to learn more about Design Dept Ventures feel free to contact us at ventures@designdept.studio
Awards
Join us
Whatever your specialty, we’re always open to hearing from ambitious people who have a deep passion for stretching the boundaries of convention.
Design Dept balances diligent work ethic with a people-first environment that fosters mental well-being. We pride ourselves on integrity and continuous learning.
If you’re naturally curious, have a wild imagination, excel at collaboration, and love to simplify complex problems we’d love to hear from you.
Please send submissions to team@designdept.studio
Los Angeles
Barranco
Design Dept is a global collective specializing in brand strategy, branding, design and digital experience across all platforms.
