Brian Collins
Founder · Designer · Other · Co-founder
15 articles · Mar 2020 — Dec 2025
Quotes
“Every creative challenge hides a deeper problem beneath the obvious one – the 'second dragon'.”
“AI is an 'alien intelligence' that creatives must learn to work with.”
“The hard part – technology – has been solved. What remains is the work of building the regulatory frameworks and securing the funding to deploy it at scale and speed.”
“Every logo, wordmark, and poster leaves the circle incomplete. It demands completion by the individual – an invitation to physically ‘finish the sun’ and join the cause.”
“Design is not what we make. Design is what we make possible.”
“That would be a mistake. A terrible, grave mistake. I'm no model. I'm not a guru. I can barely program my own coffee machine. But what you should do is work absurdly hard—like a squirrel on a double espresso hard—and become so good they can't ignore you, no matter how much they want to.”
“Design is not what we do. It’s what we make possible for others.”
“Enebeis and Studio Dumbar, in their work for NN North Sea Jazz, had sought to ‘out do’ SFS.”
“Design is not what we make, it’s what we make possible for others.”
Articles & interviews
- A year in review: how 2025 changed who we are and how we work
Creative Boom · Dec 19, 2025
Creative Boom editor Katy Cowan reflects on 2025, a year marked by challenges in the creative industry and a renewed focus on human connection. She recounts launching The Studio, a thriving online community, expanding into real-world events, and growing Creative Boom’s YouTube and podcast presence. The piece highlights adaptation to AI, collaboration with Love & Logic on social strategy, and the importance of authenticity and community in creative work.
Creative BoomLove & LogicStckmndigital - OpenAI’s Indgila Samad Ali on what remains human in design
The Brand Identity · Nov 20, 2025 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews OpenAI designer Indgila Samad Ali about her journey from Moscow to COLLINS and now OpenAI, exploring how she balances technology and humanity in design. She discusses her cultural influences, the emotional power of form, and her approach to designing at scale for AI-driven platforms. The conversation also revisits her work on the Muse Group identity and her belief in preserving human intuition within technological processes.
- "Brian Collins Explores Creativity on The Spark Podcast"
Creative Boom · Oct 30, 2025 · Interview
Episode 174 of Creative Boom's 'The Spark' podcast features Brian Collins, co-founder of COLLINS, in a lighthearted conversation with host Katy Cowan. The discussion explores his creative philosophy, personal quirks, and reflections on design, playfulness, and inspiration. The episode offers a candid and humorous look at the designer behind one of the industry's most celebrated studios.
COLLINSother - Brian Collins
Creative Boom · Oct 27, 2025 · Interview
In this Creative Boom Podcast episode, Katy Cowan interviews Brian Collins, co-founder of COLLINS, about creativity, resilience, and the evolving role of design. Collins discusses his 'second dragon' philosophy, lessons from his career, and his perspective on AI as a creative partner. The conversation blends personal storytelling with insights into the future of creativity.
- Collins Launches New Climate Movement Identity Inspired by Sunshine's Healing Power
It's Nice That · Oct 6, 2025
Collins has created the identity for Sun Day, a new global climate movement founded by Bill McKibben and Denis Hayes. The design features an incomplete sun logo that invites public participation, supported by a custom typeface developed with Commercial Type and a digital platform built by garden3d. The project emphasizes collective action and the healing power of solar energy through a flexible, community-driven identity system.
- "Creative Boom Podcast Season 10 Launches with Video Option"
Creative Boom · Oct 1, 2025
Creative Boom announces the return of its podcast for Season 10, now available in video format for the first time. Hosted by Katy Cowan, the season features an impressive lineup of creative industry figures including Brian Collins, Pum Lefebure, and Jeff Staple, with sponsorship from paper manufacturer James Cropper. The new season emphasizes authentic conversations about creative careers and the evolving design landscape.
- Claire Blyth Discusses Lasting Creative Reputation Beyond Social Media
Creative Boom · Jul 15, 2025 · Interview
Creative Boom’s article by Tom May recaps a talk by Claire Blyth, founder of Red Setter, on how creatives can build lasting reputations beyond social media. Blyth argues that media relations and genuine journalist relationships offer credibility and visibility that social platforms cannot. The session, chaired by Creative Boom editor Katy Cowan, shared practical advice on pitching, storytelling, and maintaining professional relationships.
Red SetterCreative Boombranding|communications|public_relations - COLLINS House: A Space of Bold Inclusion at Cannes Lions
Creative Boom · Jul 2, 2025 · Interview
Creative Boom interviews Brian Collins about COLLINS House, a welcoming and inclusive space at Cannes Lions designed to foster connection among creatives of all levels. The article explores his philosophy on design as a force for possibility and his desire to create a non-hierarchical environment for emerging talent. It highlights COLLINS House as a counterpoint to the corporate atmosphere of Cannes, celebrating openness and community.
- "Top Podcasts for Creative Inspiration in 2025"
Creative Boom · Mar 18, 2025
Creative Boom’s 2025 roundup by Tom May highlights standout podcasts that offer inspiration and practical advice for creative professionals. The article features shows hosted by Liz Mosley, Tom Froese, Katy Cowan, Clare Blyth, Giuseppe Castellano, and Ian Chillag, each offering unique perspectives on design, illustration, and creative life. It emphasizes authenticity, community, and insight as key qualities uniting these podcasts.
- Take five with POV Budapest: Cat How of How&How shares line up highlights and a preview of her talk
The Brand Identity · Jul 1, 2024 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews Cat How, co-founder of How&How, ahead of her talk at POV Budapest 2024. She discusses her upcoming presentation 'What’s Your Story: Design Languages for Brand,' which explores the relationship between language, storytelling, and brand identity. The conversation also touches on How&How’s recent projects, studio growth, and her move to Los Angeles.
- Astrid Stavro on joining the COLLINS family and the exciting challenges her new role will bring
The Brand Identity · Nov 18, 2022 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews Astrid Stavro about her new role as VP, Creative Director at COLLINS. She discusses her admiration for the studio’s philosophy, her collaborative approach to creative direction, and how her background in literature and philosophy shapes her design thinking. The conversation highlights her excitement for future challenges and her alignment with COLLINS’ mission to create transformative design.
- North Sea Jazz Festival by Studio Dumbar/DEPT
BP&O · Nov 1, 2022
BP&O’s Richard Baird reviews Studio Dumbar/DEPT’s rebrand for the NN North Sea Jazz Festival, highlighting its dynamic, motion-driven identity that captures the rhythm and energy of live performance. The project uses custom-coded typography and spatial motion to create a fluid, wave-like system that reflects both sound and the festival’s coastal setting. Baird compares it to Collins’ San Francisco Symphony work, noting its structured yet expressive approach to motion branding.
- New Logo & Branding: San Francisco Symphony by Collins
BP&O · Sep 21, 2022
BP&O reviews Collins’ rebrand for the San Francisco Symphony, a dynamic identity built around a variable serif typeface developed with Dinamo. The project embraces motion and generative design, reflecting the orchestra’s innovative direction under Esa-Pekka Salonen. The identity earned multiple D&AD awards and exemplifies a new wave of responsive, tech-driven branding for cultural institutions.
- Kapono Chung on Combo’s innovation-driven model, lessons in leadership and their exciting future
The Brand Identity · Jun 21, 2022 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews Combo founder Kapono Chung about the agency’s evolution, its merger with strategy consultancy Verdes, and its innovation-driven approach that merges research with design. Chung reflects on his creative journey, leadership philosophy, and the future of branding, emphasizing collaboration, objectivity, and cultural growth within the studio.
ComboVerdesSympactCarnegie Mellon UniversityAdelebranding - The Designers: COLLINS’ Megan Bowker on moving to New York, developing a point of view and more
The Brand Identity · Mar 20, 2020 · Interview
This interview with COLLINS design director Megan Bowker explores her journey from Alaska to New York, her growth within the studio, and her evolving design philosophy. She discusses her process, mentorship under Brian Collins, and the importance of having a distinct point of view. Bowker also reflects on the diversity of projects at COLLINS, including work for Equinox Hotels and Target’s More Than Magic brand.