Design Refinery Certified as an LGBTQ+ Owned Graphic Design Agency by Clutch in 2025
Clutch Certified LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses in 2025
From our inception, Design Refinery has proudly been LGBTQ+ and women owned. That foundation has shaped our creative perspective and the way we collaborate with clients from day one.
Now in 2025, we’re proud to announce that Clutch has officially certified Design Refinery as an LGBTQ+ Owned Graphic Design Agency.
This certification doesn’t change who we are - it affirms it. It validates our commitment to excellence in branding, packaging, and marketing design while celebrating the diversity, authenticity, and innovation that set us apart.
Why LGBTQ+ Certification Matters
Being recognized as an LGBTQ+ owned agency is more than a label - it’s a strategic advantage. For our clients, certification means:
Authenticity in creativity – Our lived experiences bring bold, fresh perspectives that drive breakthrough ideas.
Inclusive storytelling – We design with empathy, ensuring your brand resonates across communities and audiences.
Visibility and credibility – Partnering with a certified LGBTQ+ agency signals to stakeholders and consumers that your brand is forward thinking and values driven.
And the business case is clear:
Harvard Business School leaders emphasize that the case for LGBTQ+ equality is well established, with nearly every major consulting firm backing it. They note that the benefits often accrue over time and that sustained inclusion requires long-term commitment.
Research from Harvard’s Professional Development division shows that LGBTQ+ inclusive workplaces deliver stronger profitability, higher market valuations, and improved talent attraction.
A Harvard Business Review analysis found that companies lacking inclusive policies face higher turnover, lower productivity, and reputational risk—costs that directly impact the bottom line.
For companies seeking to connect with modern consumers and drive growth, working with an LGBTQ+ certified agency like Design Refinery isn’t symbolic, it’s strategic.
The Broader Business Case for Inclusivity
While LGBTQ+ certification is unique, it aligns with broader research proving the value of diversity in business success:
Companies in the top 25% for gender diversity are 27% more likely to outperform industry peers in profitability, while those with more women executives achieve a 47% higher return on equity (Harvard Business Review).
Businesses in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to significantly outperform financially and 70% more likely to capture new markets (McKinsey/HBR).
The takeaway? Inclusivity drives stronger performance, innovation, and growth—making the choice of diverse partners a competitive advantage.
Why Clients Choose Design Refinery
Our certification is the latest milestone in a journey defined by delivering creative excellence and strategic results. We’re trusted by startups and global brands alike - including Nike, Disney, and Powerade - for work that blends creativity with business impact.
Our expertise spans:
Brand Strategy & Identity – Building strong brand foundations.
Packaging & Product Design – Creating packaging that drives sales and stands out on shelf.
Marketing Campaigns & Content – Designing bold visuals that inspire action.
Presentations & Communication – Helping teams pitch, persuade, and win with clarity.
Choosing Design Refinery means partnering with a studio that is both proven in expertise and authentically inclusive.
Final Word
Being officially certified by Clutch as an LGBTQ+ Owned Graphic Design Agency in 2025 is a formality in some ways - because we’ve always been LGBTQ+ and women owned. But having official certification allows others to fully see and recognize who we are.
For some businesses, specifically seeking out LGBTQ+ owned partners is key for the many reasons outlined above. For others, it’s about the creativity, reliability, and results of a strong graphic design agency. With Design Refinery, you get both - the proven expertise of a premier design studio and the added benefits of partnering with an LGBTQ+ owned business.
This milestone highlights not only our creative excellence, but also the importance of visibility and representation in today’s business world.
For our clients, this certification is more than recognition - it’s proof that working with Design Refinery is both creatively inspiring and strategically smart.
