Near cliffs overlooking the prime Pacific surf of Beacon’s Beach, this young design shop in Encinitas is bringing fresh, modern work to clients steeped in the laid-back California lifestyle.

The tight-knit collective of three San Diego–based art directors joined forces in 2012, opening Wedge & Lever in a Pacific Coast Highway office space they describe as “clean, dipped in white and a bone-chilling 55 degrees.” Wedge & Lever launched solely by word of mouth—in fact, its first client, sunglasses maker Spy Optics, was convinced to hire the group at one member’s art director job interview.

These days, the team takes great pride in being individually anonymous and letting the work—much of which comes from the neighboring surf community—do the talking.