The Brand Identity interviews Kody Deretic and Kai Higham, founders of Darkroom, a Melbourne-based studio creating premium Photoshop mockups that simulate real 3D rendering. The duo discusses their origins, creative process, and their collaboration with SICKDOGWOLFMAN on the Slather project. They also highlight their commitment to education through donations and free student resources.
The article explores the growing trend of design studios launching their own brands, featuring insights from Nihilo, Whitman Emorson, Paleworks, and Two Times Elliott. Each studio discusses their motivations for moving beyond client work into entrepreneurship, citing creative control, long-term involvement, and the desire to apply their branding expertise to their own ventures. The piece highlights how this shift reflects a broader evolution in the design industry toward brand ownership and creative autonomy.
