Hi there

I've been looking around for a VERY good webdesigner but so far most of what I found was just not good enough for what I need. Most of the time the portfolio is below expectations. So basically what I need to know is what are the top notch design firms or freelancers out there? Is there some list?

Please no advertising or offers, I just need experiences.

Thanks a lot for all your help.

Ps: so far the only one I am considering is http://www.oceanoinc.com/indexflash.html

http://www.ceonex.com , but i doubt you would choose them as their charge is high.

This guy is really good...

http://www.billybussey.com

Ceonex isn't that high. Their project range is ~$20,000 - $100,000 from what I understand (probably a few projects higher than this). That would put them kind of in the middle pricewise for established U.S. design firms.

What are your criteria for "top" Web designer? If all you're looking at is the visuals presented within portfolios, you're missing about 90% of the information you need to make an informed decision (indeed, if a company relies solely on it's visual design to market itself, it is missing out on ~90% of what matters on the Internet).

At the end of the day, visual and functional design choices translate into dollars (or whatever "currency" is important to you - money, fame, spreading a message effectively, etc.). Looking at site designs tells you nothing about whether business objectives have been achieved as a result of design choices.

But if your criteria for "top" Web designers is the company who makes the prettiest shiny objects, I'd say http://www.2advanced.com does the whole visual impact thing quite nicely.

This guy is really good...

http://www.billybussey.com

Good call Starsky. Billy does great work. One of my partners (business, not life ;) ) has worked with Billy in the past. He's great at what he does, and my understanding is he's not super expensive.

What are your criteria for "top" Web designer? If all you're looking at is the visuals presented within portfolios, you're missing about 90% of the information you need to make an informed decision (indeed, if a company relies solely on it's visual design to market itself, it is missing out on ~90% of what matters on the Internet).

At the end of the day, visual and functional design choices translate into dollars (or whatever "currency" is important to you - money, fame, spreading a message effectively, etc.). Looking at site designs tells you nothing about whether business objectives have been achieved as a result of design choices.

But if your criteria for "top" Web designers is the company who makes the prettiest shiny objects, I'd say http://www.2advanced.com does the whole visual impact thing quite nicely.
Thank you

I'm looking for someone who is very creative and very good with photoshop. No backend or xhtml/css is needed. I understand what you mean when you talk about the visuals being only a part of the whole. I just need to know if they have the capability to make something of high standards. I'm certaintly not looking for the most prettiest/shiny design, but I do like designs based on good use of graphics with a unique feel to them. Definitely don't like designs that are based on flash (i want to use CSS/xhtml) or use too many images to make it look 'cool' or 'pretty' if you know what I mean. For example a site like Askmen.com is exactly the kind of design style I prefer.

Good call Starsky. Billy does great work. One of my partners (business, not life ;) ) has worked with Billy in the past. He's great at what he does, and my understanding is he's not super expensive.

I never actually hired Billy for any job, but I've seen his work and it's amazing. I also corresponded with him in emails and indeed he is very affordable.

Alot of good designers also work for the big corporate companies. If you look at some of the sites for any of the major auto manufaturers, or the other Fortune 500 companies, they are all pretty top notch and I imagine the design staff employed are making very good salaries.

But having said that, there definitely are top quality freelancers out there like Bill Bussey.

Starsky, nearly all big firms will outsource their design to design firms. My friends dad's company (I forget the name) designed the Audi website, while the coca-cola websites are also designed by outside firms.

http://www.2advanced.com/ - Most probably some of the best web design I have ever come accross. I've been a big fan of their work since they started out.