Artone Studio vs ID-C: which design partner fits startups best
TL,DR
ID-C is a Swedish senior duo focused on brand and digital design. They work on retainers measured in days per week or fixed-scope projects. Pricing is not publicly listed.
Artone Studio is a small, senior, embedded partner for startups. We cover product design, web design, branding, and Framer development on a flexible monthly subscription at $3,995, or as a custom-scoped project.
Best fit: ID-C suits brand-led engagements and premium creative initiatives. Artone suits early-stage teams that need consistent velocity, clear pricing, and cross-discipline support.
Verdict: for pre-seed to Series B teams, Artone is the smarter, more agile choice that balances speed, craft, and predictable cost.
What each service is
ID-C is a senior design duo that works at the intersection of brand identity and digital design. They operate as an officeless team with a partner network they scale as needed. Their offer is split into Retainers, a set number of days per week, and Projects with fixed deliverables and cost. Services include brand identity, digital design systems, digital design, and design production.
Artone Studio is a small, hands-on design studio for startups and growing teams. We provide product design, web design, branding, and Framer development on subscription or custom scope. We embed with founders and product teams to ship meaningful work quickly.
Pricing and value
ID-C: pricing is not publicly listed. Their models are retainer by days per week or fixed-scope projects, which can be effective for larger budgets but harder to forecast for early-stage teams without published rates.
Artone: clear pricing at $3,995 per month, typically 2 to 3 tasks per week, unlimited brands and users, Slack collaboration, optional calls, pause or cancel anytime, and a 75% refund in the first week if not satisfied. This gives founders predictable spend and flexible commitment.
Delivery model and speed
ID-C: collaboration is defined weekly, with tasks set through conversations. Retainers are measured in days per week. Timelines and turnarounds are not publicly specified.
Artone: we operate on a simple queue, deliver a steady weekly throughput, and communicate in Slack with optional calls. The subscription makes capacity and cadence clear, which helps teams plan launches and sprints.
Services and capabilities
ID-C focus
Brand identity, digital design systems, digital design, and production for global brands and ambitious companies. Strong pedigree in brand-led digital work.
Artone focus
Product design for web and mobile, web design and Framer development, brand identity and launch assets. Built for early-stage needs where product, brand, and website must move together.
Collaboration and communication
ID-C: officeless duo with an expandable partner network. Retainers are set by days per week, with weekly planning of tasks. This suits focused brand and digital initiatives.
Artone: embedded collaboration in Slack, optional calls, unlimited stakeholders, easy pause or cancel, and a clear weekly output. This suits founders who want senior hands in the loop without the overhead of hiring.
Clients, credibility, and recognition
ID-C highlights a notable client roster that includes Apple, Google, Polestar, Hyperice, and others. Their careers include recognition such as D&AD Pencils, Cannes Lions Grand Prix, Red Dot Gold, and Awwwards Site of the Day. These are strong credibility signals for brand and digital excellence.
Artone partners with venture-backed startups and select enterprises. Our clients include teams funded by Y Combinator, Global Brain, and Pioneer Fund, plus Samsung, Lenovo, and Logitech. Recognition includes features on Awwwards and Landbook, a Site of the Year nomination by Framer, and Effie-recognized campaign work. This combines startup momentum with enterprise-level craft and reliability.
Side-by-side comparison table
Category | Artone Studio | ID-C |
|---|---|---|
Model | Monthly subscription or custom-scoped project | Retainers by days per week or fixed-scope projects |
Pricing | $3,995 per month, clear terms, pause or cancel anytime | Not publicly listed |
Services | Product design, web design, branding, Framer development | Brand identity, digital design systems, digital design, production |
Delivery | 2 to 3 tasks per week, Slack collaboration, optional calls | Weekly planning, tasks defined via conversations |
Team shape | Small, senior, embedded with founders | Senior duo with scalable partner network |
Typical clients | Early-stage startups, venture-backed teams, select enterprises | Global brands and established companies |
Best for | Fast shipping across product, brand, and web with predictable budget | Brand-led and design-driven initiatives with flexible depth |
When Artone is the better fit
You want predictable cost and senior output on a flexible subscription.
You need product design, brand, and website to move in sync.
You prefer Slack-first collaboration with optional calls.
You want Framer development included to launch quickly.
You are pre-seed to Series B and need measurable weekly progress.
When ID-C can be a good fit
You are running a brand-led initiative that benefits from a senior duo with a strong award history.
You prefer retainers measured in days per week or tightly scoped fixed projects.
You need high-end identity and digital design for a premium brand context.
Final take
ID-C brings award-winning brand and digital expertise and works well for premium, focused engagements. Artone delivers senior, hands-on design across product, brand, and web with transparent pricing and a cadence that fits how startups operate. For most early-stage teams, Artone offers the clearer path to momentum and value.
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