What we consistently saw were abstract data graphics, cold blue palettes and rigid geometric systems that signal technology but often lack usability or human connection.
What we consistently saw were abstract data graphics, cold blue palettes and rigid geometric systems that signal technology but often lack usability or human connection.
Trends are loud. Behaviour is honest.
When a brand is treated as a leadership tool, it stops being a decoration and starts becoming direction.
Strategy isn’t just a business skill. It’s a leadership practice.
The best creatives aren't locked into silos. They know how to zoom into the details and pan out to see the bigger system at play.
The creative industry is more fluid than ever, and that's a good thing.
Raw talent will get you noticed. However, what will define the next generation of creative leaders is the ability to translate vision into traction.
Start studying business and leadership now. Leadership isn't about title; it's about behaviour.
The FasterLines brand strategy reveals itself in every decision.
Motto® rebranded legal tech company Ivo around the idea of ‘Intelligence by Design,’ repositioning it as a leader in contract intelligence rather than automation. The new identity combines editorial typography, warm colors, and expressive illustration by Myriam Wares to balance precision and humanity. The rebrand extends across logo, website, motion, and verbal identity, reflecting Ivo’s maturity and enterprise focus.
Motto® developed a comprehensive rebrand for legal tech platform Ivo, centering on the strategic idea ‘Intelligence by Design.’ The project repositions Ivo as a pioneer of ‘Contract Intelligence,’ combining editorial typography, warm color palettes, and expressive illustration by Myriam Wares. The identity balances structure and humanity, extending across logo, website, motion, and verbal systems.
The Brand Identity interviews Motto co-founders Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger about their twentieth-anniversary publication, the 'Future of Brand 2026' report. The conversation explores how brand strategy has evolved from visual expression to an operating system for business, emphasizing meaning, alignment, and the role of AI as infrastructure. The report has gained significant traction among global leaders seeking clarity in a rapidly changing landscape.
The Brand Identity interviews Motto® Co-founder and COO Ashleigh Hansberger about the studio’s 20-year journey and its philosophy that brand should function as a leadership tool rather than a marketing exercise. Hansberger discusses how aligning brand and culture can drive clarity, cohesion, and growth, sharing insights from Motto®’s transformative rebrand for Goodnotes. The conversation explores leadership, strategy, and the evolving role of brand in shaping company direction.
The article explores whether the creative industry is moving beyond the age of the specialist toward a new era of generalist creatives. Through interviews with agency leaders, it argues that the most valuable professionals today are 'T-shaped'—those who combine deep expertise with broad, strategic understanding. AI, tighter budgets, and evolving client needs are driving this shift toward adaptable, collaborative talent.
The article explores whether university remains the best route into the creative industry in 2025. Featuring insights from creative leaders across agencies, it concludes that while formal education still offers structure and mentorship, self-taught and alternative paths are increasingly valid. The piece highlights accessibility, evolving technology, and the importance of time and practical experience in shaping creative careers.
The article by Tom May explores the evolving traits that will define the next generation of creative leaders. Through insights from leading designers and creative directors, it identifies key qualities such as strategic thinking, adaptability, taste, vision, emotional intelligence, courage, and authenticity as essential for future success in the creative industry.
Creative Boom’s article by Tom May compiles advice from leading creative directors and studio founders for graduates entering the design industry in 2025. The piece highlights themes of self-kindness, authenticity, personal branding, leadership, and embracing technology such as AI. Contributors from studios like SomeOne, Red Antler, and Fold7Design share practical insights for navigating the evolving creative landscape.
The Brand Identity interviews Motto co-founder and CEO Sunny Bonnell about the agency’s evolution, philosophy, and recent successes. Bonnell discusses Motto’s focus on visionary leadership, its Idea Worth Rallying Around® framework, and major projects for clients like Andela, Goodnotes, and Colliers. The conversation highlights Motto’s strategic approach to brand building, culture, and leadership alignment as it enters 2025.
Motto developed a dynamic new brand identity for FasterLines, a technology company focused on improving service speeds in retail and drive-through environments. The identity uses italicised typography, geometric shapes, and a vibrant green palette to communicate speed and efficiency. The project also included a website and brand strategy that reinforce the brand’s human-centred, data-driven approach.
The Brand Identity interviews Motto co-founder Sunny Bonnell about the agency’s refreshed brand and website. Bonnell discusses Motto’s evolution from a small startup to a global branding consultancy, their new visual identity centered around the rallying cry 'Do Big Things™,' and their focus on purpose-driven, leadership-aligned branding. The conversation also touches on inclusivity in the design industry and Motto’s future plans, including VisionCamp® and new publications.