We are a data visualization and cartography design studio, based in the Mission District of San Francisco and founded by Eric Rodenbeck in 2001. We believe utility and beauty share an equal footing. They don't compete — they support each other.
"We're often told that utility comes before beauty. That practicality is more important than, and antecedent to, delight. At Stamen we don't think that way."
From the studio manifesto
At our core, we are committed to expanding our understanding through research. We view every engagement as an opportunity for invention and discovery. Stamen is a place where hard work is valued, where good ideas can come from anywhere, and where results are paramount.
Our practice revolves around our people. We genuinely enjoy collaborating with one another — and with our clients.
Our work is highly impactful and often newsworthy. We are a recipient of the National Design Award for Interaction Design from the Smithsonian. Our work has been shown in museums worldwide.
Eleven cartographers, designers, design technologists, and strategists. Headquartered in the Mission District, working with clients across four continents.
Founder & Creative Director
Principal / General Manager
Design Director
Director of Client Services
Lead Cartographer / Training
Lead Cartographer + Designer
Lead Design Technologist
Design Technologist
Research & Design Strategist
Designer
Strategic Adviser
We're hiring →
It's a load-bearing wall. Beautiful work gets used; ugly work gets archived. We sweat the type, the line-weights, the white space.
We'd rather expose a methodology than hide behind a polished surface. Our work is documented, attributed, and reproducible.
Every projection lies a little. We're transparent about what we omit, distort, and emphasize — and why.
We move quickly inside long-game commitments. Three-week sprints inside three-year client relationships.
Toner, Watercolor, Field Papers — all open-source. Knowledge that's locked away can't be built on.
Borrowed from our long-time mantra: "More effective than we are efficient." We optimize for the right outcome, not the fastest one.
Working with clients to realize their complex data-oriented ideas is our business. We take pride in bringing our award-winning and impactful work to clients across a broad range of industries.
Brief us. Scope estimate within the week.