How We Rank the Best Graphic Design Staffing Agencies

3 Companies - Rankings updated: April 01, 2026

Every agency on DesignRush meets evaluation criteria around expertise and client feedback to empower informed choices. Some listings include paid partnerships.

United States × Illinois × Chicago ×
  • Unlock the Talent Vault with Scion Staffing

    Scion Staffing, Inc. is a nationally recognized IT services staffing, creative staffing, and executive search firm with offices across the U.S. Recognized by Forbes and the Business Times, our team specializes in staffing for roles ranging from Executive to Operations. We're dedicated to connecting companies  [... view Scion Staffing profile ]
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Portfolios Count
    3 Projects Listed

    Scion Staffing Services

    • HR Outsourcing
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts

    Clients and Projects

    View Full Portfolio
    • Temporary Creative Staffing
      Creative Staffing Project Temporary Creative Staffing
    • Creative Staffing Direct Hire
      Creative Staffing Project Creative Staffing Direct Hire
    • Executive Search Retained Services
      Creative Staffing Project Executive Search Retained Services
    Comprehensive analysis done by DesignRush Agency Experts.

    Scion Staffing Reviews & Testimonials

    • Lizanne Lachat
      Lizanne Lachat Review from Google
      5.0

      Lizanne Lachat's Review Sourced from Google

      I applied to a job listed on Indeed.com through Scion Staffing. I'd never worked with a recruiter before, other than for temp positions. Sarah was an absolute pleasure to work with, so professional and down to earth. She helped guide me through the interview and decision-making process, and followed up each step of the way. She was supportive and non-aggressive. I highly recommend Scion Staffing and would definitely work with them again.

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    • Emil Aliyev
      Emil Aliyev Review from Google
      5.0

      Emil Aliyev's Review Sourced from Google

      I had great experience to found my dream job. Thanks to Lauren, all interview process was very smooth and pleasant. Also Scion team members very helpful and always responding to phone calls and e-mail. I wouldn't hesitate to advice the agency to all my friends!

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    • David King
      David King Review from Google
      5.0

      David King's Review Sourced from Google

      My experience with Scion staffing was phenomenal. My recruiter took the time to get to know me as a person, learn my short term and long term goals prior to referring any possible positions for me. Once that position was referred, she was with me through every step of the interview process. She anticipated questions that may be asked and how best to prepare for them. Really, this was a 5/5 star experience all the way!

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    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile
    • IT Industry
    • Nonprofit Industry
    • Finance Industry
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
  • Matching Talent With Success

    Artisan Talent is a premier creative staffing agency that has been redefining talent solutions since its inception. Committed to excellence, we offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the unique needs of the creative, digital, and marketing industries.  [... view Artisan Talent profile ]
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $75/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $1,000 - $10,000

    Artisan Talent Services

    • Graphic Design
    • Digital Marketing
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Creative Services
    • Web Design
    • HR Outsourcing
    • Content Marketing
    • Package Design
    • Video Production
    • Branding
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts

    Artisan Talent Reviews & Testimonials

    • Kirsten AD
      Kirsten AD Review from Google
      5.0

      Kirsten AD's Review Sourced from Google

      I've enjoyed working with Artisan both on internal projects and being placed with clients through them. While they don't see the same number of roles as some of the bigger companies, they do tend to get jobs with higher pay rates than some of the other staffing agencies - and definitely advocate for the talent when it comes to dealing with clients. I would definitely recommend getting in touch if you're looking for work in a digital/creative role.

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    • Nancy Antol
      Nancy Antol Review from Google
      5.0

      Nancy Antol's Review Sourced from Google

      I worked for Artisan as a Contract Copywriter for more than three years. The team did an excellent job finding me a contract with an outstanding company. In addition to a great placement, Artisan provided me with very good benefits, including 401K and some paid time off, which is unusual in the industry. I highly recommend Artisan to anyone who is looking for contract work.

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    • erik johnsen
      erik johnsen Review from Google
      5.0

      erik johnsen's Review Sourced from Google

      In a world of agencies that are mostly out for a quick buck, they build relationships on both the client and talent side. It is a refreshing change of pace to see such integrity. They are fair and honest people that I worked with for years. If you are looking for talent, or have a talent, I can not recommend them more.

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    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile
    • HBO
    • SalesForce
    • Indeed
    • NFL
    • Hyatt
    • Paypal
    • Motorola
    • United
    • Estee Lauder
    • Groupon
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
  • Hiring is hard. And hiring well is even harder. But, that’s exactly what we do.

    Having the right talent doesn’t happen by accident. Growing companies know this. That's why they look to us to help them find the talent they need to evolve their brand. For more than 15 years, we have partnered with growing companies in various industries to strategically build their world-class  [... view Hirewell profile ]
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99

    Hirewell Services

    • HR Outsourcing
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts

    Hirewell Reviews & Testimonials

    • Jessica Fletcher
      Jessica Fletcher Review from Google
      1.0

      Jessica Fletcher's Review Sourced from Google

      Being harassed through text by this “company” which I do not think is real. Based in Chicago with LA area codes and non-English speaking messages that are borderline harassing. If there are actually real people here please respond to my review as you don’t have a working phone that actually connects to people; Just a voicemail.

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    • Amber Ratliff
      Amber Ratliff Review from Google
      5.0

      Amber Ratliff's Review Sourced from Google

      Hirewell was a dream to work with from the start! Jon worked with me directly and he had me interested right away. Any questions I had he answered typically before I could ask him. Hirewell overall ensures their team knows what they're doing and makes a career transition everything one could hope for. As someone who is now employed and working with Hirewell to build out my team, I am equally impressed at the professionalism and prompt communication from them. Thank you Jon and Hirewell for helping me find a new career path and making the transition seamless.

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    • Alex Marianyi
      Alex Marianyi Review from Google
      5.0

      Alex Marianyi's Review Sourced from Google

      Hirewell in general--and Alex Paul specifically--was excellent to work with in finding my new job. I applied for a job that appealed to me and my skills even though it was in an industry I hadn't worked in before, and Alex reached out to me very quickly and was instrumental throughout the hiring process. He thoroughly explained what the company was looking for and how I matched up against that, took the time to address any concerns I had, and was an all-around excellent resource. I will definitely be recommending people in my network work with Alex and Hirewell for their next job move.

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    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile
    • Duracell
    • Leapfrog
    • Rightpoint
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the core specializations of creative staffing agencies?

Creative staffing agencies source and place talent across design, marketing, content, and digitalroles. Their core focus includes recruiting graphic designers, copywriters, artdirectors, UX/UI designers,web developers, content strategists, videographers, and social media specialists.

They also handle freelance, contract, and full-time placements, ensuring companies get the right talent for short-term projects or long-term creative needs. Many agencies offer portfolio vetting, skillassessments, and projectmatching to help businesses quickly access qualified creative professionals who fit their brand and workflow.

What is the process for working with a graphic design staffing agency?

Working with a graphic design staffing agency happens in several strategic stages to ensure a seamless and time-efficient collaboration.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps you will take before you begin your partnership:

  1. The agency sets up the initial consultation to define project needs, required skills, timeline, and budget
  2. The creative staffing agency reviews requirements and selects candidates from its vetted talent pool
  3. The firm arranges interviews, portfolio reviews, or test assignments for fit and evaluation
  4. You select the designer while the agency manages contracts and onboarding
  5. The creative staffing company provides ongoing support and check-ins to ensure the placement meets expectations throughout the engagement

What factors affect creative staffing agency pricing?

Creative staffing agency pricing depends on several key factors:

  • Role complexity and skill level: Highly specialized roles like UX designers or motion graphics artists cost more than general graphic designers 
  • Experience: Senior or niche talent requires higher hourly or project rates
  • Engagement type: Freelance, contract-to-hire, and full-time placements each have different fee structures
  • Project duration and workload: Longer or more intensive projects increase total costs
  • Turnaround speed: Quick placements or last-minute staffing needs come with premium fees
  • Agency reputation and talent pool quality: Agencies with stronger networks or pre-vetted specialists may charge higher rates for reliability and expertise

How can I verify the credentials or portfolios of creative talent?

You can verify the credentials or portfolios of creative talent through several reliable steps:

  1. Review their portfolio for quality, consistency, and relevance to your industry or project needs
  2. Check client testimonials or references on platforms like DesignRush to confirm past performance and reliability
  3. Verify work history on platforms like LinkedIn or professional websites to ensure experience aligns with claims
  4. Assess technical skills through test assignments, design challenges, or certifications where applicable
  5. Ask the staffing agency for background checks, skill assessments, or previous project evaluations to validate their expertise

What happens if I'm not satisfied with graphic design staffing services?

If you’re not satisfied with graphic design staffing services, most agencies offer replacement guarantees, allowing you to request a new designer at no additional cost within a set period. They may also provide performance reviews or mediation to address issues and realign expectations.

Reputable agencies maintain flexible contracts, so you can adjust the engagement, switch talent, or end the assignment if necessary. Clear communication and early feedback help resolve most concerns quickly and ensure the project stays on track.

About The Author And Expert Reviewer

Bojana Trajcheva is a seasoned content editor and innovation researcher with extensive experience in the tech and marketing industries. Formerly Editor-in-Chief at Studentsko Eho, she developed a strong foundation in content creation and editorial leadership. Bojana further honed her skills in senior innovation research roles and now brings this combined expertise to her work as an editor at DesignRush.

Sanja Srećković is an HR professional who utilizes her background in cultural anthropology to develop practical and successful HR methods for businesses. She served as a talent acquisition specialist at Petnica Science Center, then worked at SAT, an employment agency, where she successfully hired 100 people in just six months. She now employs her expertise in HR operations and management, talent assessment, and full-cycle IT recruitment to scale the teams and recognize top talent at DesignRush.