(87) Studio

We are Chicago-based and globally supported. We specialize in quickly and confidently designing brands that transform vision into lasting brand value. Our process fuses strategy, story, and design into a spark of high-value creative equity.

The story of our studio began with a simple realization: Branding isn’t just decoration or superficial style. It’s momentum-making, legacy-defining, essential storytelling for startups, underdogs, and rebels to spark serious opportunity.

Our Services


Strategy & Vision

We begin with a knowledge exchange with your leadership team to learn about your business, industry, and storytelling, igniting a strategic and creative spark that guides our collective creativity and sets the stage for innovative ideas.

  • Vision, Purpose, Mission

  • Brand Values & Behaviors

  • Brand Feeling & Empathy

  • Audience Research & Insights

  • Positioning & Alignment


Design & Storytelling

Our team will create a unique and engaging visual and verbal design systems that consistently and creatively tell your larger story while leaving people with a lasting feeling and impression unique to you.

  • Visual & Verbal Identity

  • Brand & Product Naming

  • Sound & Motion Design

  • Typography & Illustration

  • Brand Guidelines


Activation & Support

With creative thinking in place, we work directly with you and your team to implement our ideas through consistent and innovative solutions that engage, inform, and foster long-term relationships with people.

  • Website Design

  • Brand Campaigns

  • Packaging Design

  • Retail & Environmental

  • Sales Materials

Our Stats

Black background with the year 2019 and the number 87 inside a circle.

Founded in 2019

Sewing pattern with markings and four star-shaped stitch symbols for sewing instructions.

Based in Chicago, IL

Black background with white digital globe centered, showing the continents of Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia, with grid lines depicting longitude and latitude.

Clients & Talent Worldwide

Our Specialists

We’re remote first, with creative spaces to meet and collaborate in person.

While we’re proudly based in Chicago, we have a remote-first culture with creative hubs where we can collaborate in person. We leverage modern tools and dynamic workspaces to provide our creative collective and clients the most flexibility and value while working with our studio.

Meeting in person? Remote via Zoom? Yes.

A smiling man with glasses and a short beard, wearing a black shirt, against a white background.

Maxwell Billings
Creative Director, Founder

A portrait of a woman with long, curly brown hair, light skin, and hazel eyes, smiling slightly, wearing a black polka dot top, earrings, and a gold necklace.

Cat Martin
Studio Manager, Strategist

Our Spaces

We’re remote first, with creative spaces in Chicago and NYC to collaborate in person.

While we’re proudly based in Chicago, we are remote-first culture with creative hubs where we can collaborate in person. We leverage modern tools and dynamic workspaces to provide our creative collective and clients the most flexibility and value while working with our studio. Meeting in person? Remote via Zoom? Yes.

Our Showcase 🏆

We don’t do this for the awards, but we love it when the brands we create with our clients get the recognition they deserve.

2024 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Silver Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Silver Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Gold Branding

2023 DesignRush Branding Agency of The Month (Jun.)
2023 DesignRush Branding Agency of The Month (Feb.)

2022 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2022 Davey Awards, Silver Branding
2022 Davey Awards, Silver Brand Voice
2022 World Brand Society, Silver Brand Voice

Our Specifics

Some frequently asked questions by founders and leaders.

Like our vibe?

If you're navigating change, chasing growth, or ready to reposition your business, we’ll help you spark a brand that leads with purpose and moves people to action.

Let’s talk.