aesthetic portrait
photo portrait
Back Row: Rick Landers, Tara Gupta, Marisa Bohlmann, Marci Barbey, Wendy Hu, Elise Stoll, Allie Strauss, Paul Pierson, Ken Carbone, Nick Spriggs, Kimiyo Nakatsui, Adriana Fracchia, Steve Haslip, Tricia DelGaudio, James McNamara, Dave Decepida Front Row: Jose Gomez, Stephanie Eichman, Chris Sukovich, Carla Miller, Leslie Smolan, Kathy Jaucian, Andrew Miller, Jaime Patino Calvo

About

Studio Size

Large (21+)

Year founded

1977

Borough

Manhattan

Studio Bio/Philosophy

Brands need advocates who can provide guidance and expertise on the intersection of design, content, and technology. For over 35 years, CSA has crafted identity and design systems, helping brands such as Morgan Stanley, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, and the Musée du Louvre communicate more effectively while embracing new technology along the way.

The Team

Carbone Smolan Agency has 23 people. Of those, 3 are studio heads.

15% of studios are large-sized (21+ people).

Gender Breakdown

48% male

52% female

Average height

5’7”-5’9”

Shortest: 5’2”
Tallest: 6’1”

Average age

36-40

Youngest: 25
Oldest: 62

Studio Disciplines

Breakdown of Work

4%

Motion

56%

Interactive

Strategy/Execution

40% Strategy

60% Execution

Primary Specialties

  • Books (52)
  • Brand Strategy (42)
  • Branding & Identity (77)
  • Editorial/Publication Design (51)
  • Environmental Design (38)
  • Exhibition Design (33)
  • Illustration (45)
  • Interaction Design (36)
  • Mobile Design (30)
  • Packaging (45)
  • Print (75)
  • Web Design (59)

Clients’ Industries

  • Finance & Investment (26)
  • Local & community organizations (41)
  • Real Estate (24)
  • Retail (43)
  • Technology (37)
  • The Arts/Cultural Institutions (71)

Carbone Smolan Agency’s Clients

  • Aether Apparel
  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden
  • Canon
  • Carnegie Fabrics
  • Christie's
  • GrowNYC
  • Herman Miller (4)
  • Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Musee du Louvre
  • Museum of Modern Art (6)
  • SPE Certified
  • Starwood Hotels
  • The Morgan Library & Museum
  • W New York Downtown

Ken Carbone, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Director

Demographics

From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, lives in Palisades, New York. Formal education is undergraduate degree, primary design education is school (University of the Arts).

Teaching Design

  • School of Visual Arts — 3 years

Board Member on Professional Design Organizations

  • AIGA — 1 years

Leslie Smolan, Co-Founder and Director of Creative Strategy

Demographics

From Cedargrove, New Jersey, now lives in Palisades, New York. Formal education is undergraduate degree, primary design education is school (University of the Arts).

Teaching Design

  • University of the Arts — 1 years

Paul Pierson, Partner and Design Director

Demographics

From Maplewood, New Jersey, now lives in New York, New York. Primary design education is school (Brown University).

Location

The Space

The studio is about 10000 square feet. They’ve been there for 22 years. They share a space with 1 other company/individual.

Approximately 385 square feet/person. The average is 210 square feet/person.
37% of studios share a space.

Number of times moved

3

Total people in space

26

Carbone Smolan Agency: 23, Other: 3

Other businesses in the space

  • Other graphic design studios
  • Web development

Number of conference rooms

3

Client meetings held in studio: Approximately half

Decorations

Books and bookshelves, Massive murals, Photos

Desk Policy

To each their own: some keep their desks tidy, while others like it messier.

Culture

Side Projects

"CSA Does Good"

42% of studios have side projects.

Pick your poison

Beer

Extra-curricular activities

Kickball

Working groups

90%

Groups

5%

Studio

Internal studio meetings

Once a week

Studio Outings

Attend conferences, Day trips to museums

Studio Rituals

Designer Sessions on Fridays, "OPS" Operational Lunches on Mondays

Hashtags

  • #artists
  • #athletic
  • #closetchefs
  • #curious
  • #designforpeople
  • #graphicdesign
  • #interactive
  • #international
  • #kareokefans
  • #liberal
  • #lifelonglearners
  • #perfectionists
  • #researchthendesign
  • #rockandroll
  • #social
  • #svamfadesign
  • #thinkers
  • #typenerds