Universal Design Cases
2 cases across 1 studio
Designers behind the work
Designers and creative leads credited on Universal projects in press coverage.
News & interviews
- Explorers Club on scaling with intention and designing for the brave
Creative Boom · Dec 18, 2025 · Interview
Creative Boom interviews Explorers Club founders Ayo Fagbemi and Aaron Skipper about their rapid growth, philosophy of brave and playful design, and projects for major brands like Atlantic Records, Coca-Cola, and Instacart. The duo discuss how strategy and design intertwine to create culture-shaping work, emphasizing community, clarity, and collaboration. The article explores their process, from generative identities to tactile book design and live event branding.
- Is illustration dead? Creatives weigh in on AI and the future of commercial art
Creative Boom · Dec 4, 2025
The article explores whether illustration is 'dead' in the age of AI, featuring insights from illustrators and art directors who share both optimism and concern. While some creatives report declining budgets and fewer commissions, others highlight renewed appreciation for human-made, conceptual, and storytelling-driven work. The consensus is that illustration is evolving, not dying, as artists adapt to AI and shifting client expectations.
- Nature finds its rhythm in Orfeo Tagiuri’s animated music videos for Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe
It's Nice That · Nov 11, 2025
London-based artist Orfeo Tagiuri created two animated music videos for Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe’s collaborative albums, titled 'Procession' and 'Suddenly'. The works explore themes of interconnectivity and transformation, drawing inspiration from the Eames’ 'Powers of Ten' and William Blake’s prints. Created entirely in Procreate Dreams, the animations merge natural and human imagery in a fluid, improvisational style.
Brian Eno & Beatie WolfeUniversal Musicmotion - "KOTA Transforms UPP's Website into Cinematic Online Experience"
It's Nice That · Sep 24, 2025
KOTA has redesigned Universal Production Partners’ website into a cinematic, WebGL-powered experience that mirrors the VFX studio’s filmic craft. The site dynamically changes lighting based on time of day and integrates subtle 3D transitions and interactive motion. The project balances immersive design with usability, reflecting UPP’s precision and artistry.
KOTAUniversal Production PartnersUniversal Production Partnersdigital - IllustrationX Achieves Global Reach, Expands Across Four Continents
Creative Boom · Jul 28, 2025
Creative Boom’s feature explores how IllustrationX evolved from a London-based agency into a truly global illustration powerhouse with agents across four continents. Managing director Harry Lyon-Smith and North America director Stacey Endress discuss the agency’s structure, localised approach, and commitment to artist quality. The article highlights how authenticity and international collaboration give IllustrationX a competitive edge in the age of AI-driven creativity.
- "DTAN Studio Revives Print's Unpredictability Against Digital Norms"
It's Nice That · Jul 23, 2025
The article profiles Berlin-based DTAN Studio, a multidisciplinary team known for merging analogue printmaking with motion design. Through Risograph animation and hand-cut techniques, the studio creates tactile, unpredictable visuals for clients in music, fashion, and culture. Co-founders Julia Schimautz and Bianca Brandner emphasize the human touch and experimental spirit that define their work.
DTAN StudioLucy Kruger & The Lost BoysPulpmotion|print|animation - "Sam Gilbey's Path from Fine Art to Photoshop Success"
Creative Boom · Jan 21, 2025
Creative Boom profiles illustrator Sam Gilbey, tracing his two-decade career from fine art beginnings to a successful freelance practice creating painterly pop culture portraits. The article explores his influences, tools, and major collaborations with brands like Marvel, Sony, and the BBC, as well as his approach to freelancing and creative process. It highlights his evolution from magazine tutorials to high-profile campaigns and film artwork.
- D8 Transforms Real Housewives Into Stop-Motion Dolls for Streaming Promotion
Creative Boom · Dec 18, 2024
Creative Boom’s feature highlights D8 Studio’s stop-motion campaign for NBC Universal and Hayu promoting The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The project reimagines the show’s glamour and drama through intricately crafted dolls and a miniature dollhouse, blending humour and nostalgia to engage fans. The campaign spanned multiple international markets with a wide range of digital and out-of-home deliverables.
D8 StudioNBC UniversalHayuadvertising - "Top Networking Strategies for Creatives in 2025"
Creative Boom · Dec 9, 2024
Creative Boom’s article by Tom May explores why networking should be a top priority for creatives in 2025. Drawing on advice from illustrators, designers, and other professionals, it emphasizes authentic relationship-building over transactional interactions. The piece offers practical tips for introverts, follow-up strategies, and examples of how networking can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Common ExceptionSupereight StudioUniversal Musicother - "ROT Founders Aim to Redefine Creative Boundaries in New Studio"
The Brand Identity · Nov 22, 2024 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews the founders of ROT, a new Los Angeles-based creative studio founded by Keaton Webb, Gabriela Hansen, and Melody Hansen. The trio discusses their multidisciplinary backgrounds, the meaning behind the studio’s name, and their approach to world-building and blending digital and physical experiences. The piece explores how ROT’s identity reflects their ethos of recycling, innovation, and playful yet refined design.