Why studio Chartreuse Is a Top Cleveland Design Studio for Brands with Vision
With over 20 years of creative leadership, Studio Chartreuse has grown from a humble attic studio in Lakewood to one of Cleveland’s most respected branding and graphic design studios. This post explores how their process, passion, and people-first approach have made them a go-to partner for thoughtful, design-driven businesses across Northeast Ohio—and why they’re still setting the bar for what it means to build a brand with intention.
Cleveland has long been a city driven by creativity, innovation, and grit. From its industrial roots to its modern renaissance of entrepreneurs, makers, and visionaries, the city continues to attract businesses that care deeply about how they show up in the world. In a landscape like this, design is not just decoration—it’s strategy, storytelling, and identity all working together.
For over twenty years, studio Chartreuse has stood at the intersection of thoughtful design, intentional branding, and creative community in the Cleveland area. What began as a small attic studio in Lakewood has grown into a nationally respected design destination—one trusted by brands across industries for branding, print, packaging, content, and visual storytelling.
If you’ve ever searched for a Cleveland design studio or a graphic designer in Cleveland and wondered what truly separates one studio from another, the answer often lies in far more than a portfolio. It’s about people, process, perspective, and purpose. And those are exactly the values that have shaped studio Chartreuse since day one.
A Cleveland Design Studio Built from the Ground Up
studio Chartreuse (formerly Chartreuse, Inc.) was founded in 2003 by Charity D'Amato‑Crawford, not in a polished office building, but in the attic studio of her first home. That original space—filled with antiques, paint supplies, sewing tools, and endless stacks of paper swatch books—set the tone for everything that followed: a studio grounded in curiosity, craft, and hands‑on creativity.
In its very first year, the studio was already making waves. Charity was recognized by The Plain Dealer and Inside Business Magazine as a rising design entrepreneur, an early signal that Cleveland was watching something special take shape. Her days were spent meeting with prospective clients, collaborating with fellow creatives over coffee, and building a strong professional network throughout the city.
By 2005, Charity won first place in the COSE Business Plan Challenge, presenting a clear and well‑structured vision for building a profitable and sustainable design firm. That foundational attention to both creativity and business would become a defining hallmark of studio Chartreuse. The work was fresh, colorful, and strategic—soon earning the studio a reputation as a creative destination for brands seeking something truly distinctive.
Deep Roots in Lakewood and the Greater Cleveland Creative Community
As the studio’s client list grew, so did the team. And as the team grew, so did its physical presence in the Cleveland area. Passionate about the Lakewood community, Charity opened a storefront studio on Carabel Avenue, then ultimately purchased the current studio building at the corner of Madison and Larchmont Avenue on the west end of Lakewood.
What was once a dark former doctor’s office was transformed into a bright, inviting creative space—one designed not only for design work, but for collaboration, conversation, and community. The interiors were remodeled. The space expanded outward to connect to an outdoor creative courtyard lovingly named The Petit Parc.
Today, The Petit Parc serves as:
A setting for client meetings and creative brainstorms
A gathering space for work sessions and studio events
The home of Art in the Parc, an annual friends‑of‑the‑studio art sale
That connection to place and people is deeply woven into how studio Chartreuse operates. It’s not just a Cleveland graphic design studio—it’s part of the fabric of the local creative ecosystem.
A Design Process That Balances Strategy and Storytelling
What truly sets studio Chartreuse apart from many other Cleveland design studios is its holistic approach to branding and design. Every project begins with intentional discovery: understanding the client’s story, values, goals, and audience before ever touching visuals.
Design here is never treated as surface‑level decoration. Instead, it functions as:
A business tool
A narrative system
A strategic extension of brand identity
Whether the project is a logo, packaging line, print collateral, or full brand system, every visual decision is grounded in purpose. This approach ensures that the final work not only looks beautiful, but also communicates clearly and performs effectively in the real world.
A Portfolio That Spans Industries and Disciplines
Over the past two decades, studio Chartreuse has built an impressive body of work across a wide range of industries. Their portfolio reflects both creative versatility and consistent quality—two attributes that are rarely achieved together at such a high level.
Their expertise includes:
Brand identity development
Print & editorial design
Packaging design
Content and campaign creative
Environmental & signage design
Merchandise & branded goods
The studio’s work has taken their team cross‑country for client photoshoots, press approvals, and specialty production projects. They have also attended national design conferences, continually pushing themselves to stay current with evolving technologies, production methods, and industry best practices.
For businesses seeking a trusted Cleveland graphic design partner who can handle both creative vision and execution at scale, studio Chartreuse offers a rare depth of experience.
A Cleveland Design Studio with a Commitment to Sustainability
Long before sustainability became a widespread buzzword in creative industries, studio Chartreuse was already practicing environmentally conscious design. Their team has been:
Recognized by the national Green Plus organization
Selected to participate in an elite global educational group focused on the paperboard and packaging manufacturing process
Actively engaged in learning about responsible production, materials, and life‑cycle impacts
For clients working in consumer goods, food & beverage, retail, and packaging‑heavy industries, this knowledge adds real value. It allows studio Chartreuse to guide creative decisions that not only look great on shelf, but also align with broader environmental responsibility.
This expertise has made them a trusted Cleveland packaging design studio for brands seeking a sustainable production mindset.
Why Cleveland Businesses Continue to Choose Studio Chartreuse
In a city full of talented designers, agency options, and creative freelancers, studio Chartreuse continues to stand out for one simple reason: they build relationships as thoughtfully as they build brands.
Clients consistently return to the studio because of:
Long‑term partnership mindset
Transparent collaboration
Strategic thinking paired with aesthetic excellence
A team that listens as intently as they design
Rather than operating as a transactional service provider, studio Chartreuse integrates deeply with its clients’ businesses. They become creative partners—helping clients grow, evolve, and adapt visually as markets change.
This is especially valuable for:
Founder‑led brands
Small‑to‑mid sized businesses
Established organizations looking to refresh or rebrand
Product‑driven companies entering new markets
Their reputation spreads primarily through word of mouth, a rare testament to the trust they’ve built in Cleveland’s business community over more than 20 years.
A Cleveland Graphic Design Studio That Designs with Purpose
What makes studio Chartreuse truly distinct isn’t just what they design—it’s why they design. Every project is guided by a belief that good design should:
Clarify rather than confuse
Invite rather than intimidate
Endure rather than chase trends
This perspective allows the studio to create work that feels both current and timeless. Many of their earlier branding projects remain just as effective today as when they were first launched, a strong indicator of thoughtful, future‑focused design.
National Reach, Local Heart
While studio Chartreuse serves clients across the country, their Cleveland roots remain central to their identity. Their story is one of local growth, community investment, and creative leadership that began in Lakewood and continues to shape the broader design culture of Northeast Ohio.
For businesses searching for:
A Cleveland design studio with proven longevity
A Cleveland graphic designer who understands both brand and business
A creative team that values collaboration as much as craft
Studio Chartreuse offers a rare blend of experience, heart, and strategic clarity.
Looking Ahead: Another Twenty Years of Creative Growth
As studio Chartreuse celebrates over two decades of creative work, their focus remains forward‑looking. They continue to evolve alongside their clients, pushing into new industries, new formats, and new creative challenges.
Their studio remains a place for:
Discovery and experimentation
Design education and mentorship
Community gathering and collaboration
Ideas that turn into lasting brands
And as their story continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: studio Chartreuse will keep shaping the visual landscape of Cleveland and beyond with intention, joy, and design excellence.
Looking for a Cleveland Design Studio That Thinks Differently?
If you’re a business owner, brand founder, or marketing leader exploring creative partnerships in Northeast Ohio, you’ll find that not all Cleveland graphic design studios operate the same way. Studio Chartreuse brings a rare balance of:
Strategic thinking
Refined aesthetics
Sustainability knowledge
Community investment
And real‑world production experience
It’s this balance that has kept them trusted, relevant, and deeply respected for more than twenty years.
Whether you are developing a new brand, refreshing an established identity, launching a packaged product, or simply looking for thoughtful creative direction, studio Chartreuse welcomes the opportunity to meet and explore how they can support your project’s success.