ZIELINSKI Design Associates

In short

ZIELINSKI Design Associates opened in Dallas in 1991 as a branding and identity firm and still works from Maple Avenue. Print and physical space are where it is strongest: identities, books, brochures, packaging, environmental graphics and wayfinding, for clients that range from heavy manufacturing to real estate and beauty. Its research step, called Experiential Connectivity, takes clients out into their customers' world before design starts. It sits at #6 on our Dallas list.

Commercial real estate runs through the portfolio. For Fountain Place, the I.M. Pei tower, the firm wrote the 'Work In Art' positioning and produced a mark, website, brochure, brand manual and a 19,000 sq ft marketing center in under 60 days. Hunt Petroleum's 50th anniversary became a 250-page book, 'Riding for the Brand', built from stories gathered at employee picnics. Graphics Group's capabilities brochure doubled as a Dallas visitor guide.

Property owners, industrial firms and established companies that need an identity carried into books, brochures, signage and leasing centers will find a well-matched partner; Siemens, Sally Beauty Supply, Univar and TrinityRail appear among its clients. Websites show up only as one piece of a brand rollout. A team that needs serious web development, ecommerce or product design should look for a digital-first agency.