About the Agency
The Experience to Deliver
Design Is The Message was founded in 2021 as a design-led marketing agency with the goal of providing bouqitue design and communications services to small businesses, professionals, and nonprofit organizations. We're experienced with working directly with decision makers and stakeholders and alongside other agency team members.
Human Focused
Design Is The Message is a human first marketing agency. Our writing, design, and web development is done without the use of artificial intelligence, keeping your intellectual secure and private.
About The Team
Ian MacAllen
Founder & Creative Director
Ian MacAllen is a graphic designer with two decades of experience across print and digital design. In 2021, he founded Design Is The Message, a design-forward, strategic communications firm developing websites and complete marketing plans for small businesses, startups, media companies, communications firms, and content-driven publications. Previous to that, he worked as the art and creative director for a boutique communications firm where he oversaw design and production of direct mail campaigns, brochures, and digital ads.
He is also the author of Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American, a social history of Italian American cuisine and immigration and has written for local and national publications on food, books, and culture. His writing has appeared in national and local publications including Business Insider, New Jersey Monthly, Provincetown Independent, Electric Literature, The Rumpus, and The Millions, and he's been featured as an expert on television, local and public radio, podcasts and publications such as The New York Times, Salon, Slate, The Guardian, Eater, and many others.
Testimonials
"Tell the designer they did a fantastic job fixing my messy slides!!"
— Senior Nonprofit Staff Member
"Design Is The Message brought my company to the next level. Not only did they design an amazing website and pitch material, but they also helped me clarify my brand, build out my product offerings, and launch effective digital marketing. Their knowledge gave me the tools and strategy to move forward confidently in growing my business."
— Dr. Joanna Abramo
We Can Help.
