Elliott Moody
Interviewer · Other · Author · Editor
Studios:The Brand Identity
Articles & interviews
- SODAA: Melbourne Studio Merges Creative Passion and Client Satisfaction
The Brand Identity interviews Melbourne-based studio SODAA, exploring how co-founders Thomas Benson and Taiki Monden balance creative passion with client satisfaction. The discussion covers their growth since 2018, their collaborative ethos, and their playful approach to design, including a 3D-rendered website and annual creative gifting projects. The studio emphasizes community, small-team culture, and long-term client relationships in the food and hospitality sectors.
- A foray into Framer: talking templates with one of the no-code web platform’s leading designers
The Brand Identity interviews designer Paul Lapkin about his work creating templates for the no-code platform Framer. Lapkin discusses his cyberpunk-inspired Future Folio template, his invoice manager Quantum, and his collaborations with clients like Geosource and Contra. The conversation explores his design process, inspirations, and the advantages of using Framer for web design.
- Commerce, code and collaboration: Commerce-UI on their unique approach to design and development
The Brand Identity interviews Commerce-UI co-founder Marcin Nogal about the agency’s collaborative approach to e-commerce design and development. Based in Gdansk, Commerce-UI partners with top designers to merge aesthetics and technology, with standout projects for Magda Butrym and Aether Apparel. Nogal discusses their evolution, small-team philosophy, and focus on quality, speed, and innovation in luxury e-commerce.
- Uppercase on studio culture, the metaverse and what it means to be a ‘tech-driven’ design studio
The Brand Identity interviews Oslo-based studio Uppercase about their tech-driven approach to design, studio culture, and exploration of the metaverse. The team discusses their evolution since 2011, their interdisciplinary structure, and their custom typeface Uppercase Sans developed with Studio René Bieder. They emphasize the integration of technology and design, collaborative culture, and ongoing innovation in digital branding.
- Studio Bruch on overcoming the key challenges they face as a small and independent design studio
The Brand Identity interviews Studio Bruch, a small independent design studio from Graz, Austria, co-founded by Kurt Glänzer and Josef Heigl. They discuss the challenges of running a two-person studio, their approach to holistic design processes, and the recent relaunch of their website. The conversation highlights their emphasis on quality presentation, type design, and maintaining creative independence.
- SCCO Studio’s Jarmaine Stojanovic on his unconventional journey into the graphic design industry
The Brand Identity interviews Sydney-based designer Jarmaine Stojanovic about his unconventional path into the design industry and the evolution of his practice, SCCO Studio. Stojanovic discusses the studio’s rebrand, the creation of a custom typeface called AusMod, and his philosophy on independence and creative process. The conversation highlights his journey from self-taught beginnings to leading a respected small studio in Australia’s design scene.
- Anthony Zukofsky on the multidisciplinary balance of design, education and writing in his practice
The Brand Identity interviews New York-based designer and educator Anthony Zukofsky about his multidisciplinary practice that spans design, teaching, and writing. Zukofsky discusses his career path through studios like Pentagram, Google, and Instrument, his teaching role at the School of Visual Arts, and his approach to balancing creative and academic work. The conversation highlights his reflections on leadership, learning, and the evolving nature of design practice.
- Moment’s Andrew Pollak on creating international identity systems for Marc Jacobs, Nike and more
The Brand Identity interviews Andrew Pollak, founder of San Francisco-based studio Moment, about building international identity systems for clients like Marc Jacobs, Nike, and Twitch. Pollak discusses the studio’s collaborative structure, challenges of pitching, and his approach to branding and networking. The conversation also touches on his career path, design philosophy, and favorite typeface, Neue Haas Grotesk.
- Studio Ground Floor detail the process and challenge of designing TYPEONE’s first three issues
The Brand Identity interviews Studio Ground Floor about their design process for the first three issues of TYPEONE magazine, a bi-annual publication from TYPE01 that explores typography and culture. The London-based duo discuss their evolving editorial system, conceptual approach, and collaboration with TYPEONE’s team. They emphasize experimentation, adaptability, and the importance of concept-driven design.
- Human Resources’ Kurt Green on the challenges and rewards of running his freelance design studio
The Brand Identity interviews Scottish designer Kurt Green about his freelance studio Human Resources, exploring his journey from co-founding a visual culture blog to running a solo design practice. Green discusses the challenges of freelancing, his approach to client work, and his passion for branding and packaging projects such as Obadiah Coffee. He also shares insights on tools, work-life balance, and future ambitions for collaboration and studio growth.
- The Designers: The Working Assembly’s Chandni Poddar on side projects, imposter syndrome and more
This interview from The Brand Identity’s 'The Designers' series features Chandni Poddar, a mid-level designer at The Working Assembly in New York. She discusses her journey from Mumbai to the U.S., her experiences at major studios like Pentagram, and her approach to side projects, imposter syndrome, and creative growth. The conversation highlights her passion for experimentation, colour, and diversity in design.
- Badal Patel on running a business, work-life balance and finding inspiration in her upbringing
The Brand Identity interviews independent creative director and designer Badal Patel about her journey running her own studio, balancing work and life, and drawing inspiration from her Indian-American upbringing. Patel discusses her process, tools, and the challenges of freelancing, as well as her proudest project, the branding of Kulfi Beauty, a South Asian beauty brand. The conversation highlights her cultural influences, business lessons, and creative philosophy.
- Nicolas Bernklau on establishing his bureau as an “umbrella” for graphic and type design projects
The Brand Identity interviews Swiss designer Nicolas Bernklau about launching his independent practice, Bureau Bernklau, as a platform for both graphic and type design. He discusses his experiences at Jung von Matt and Deutsche & Japaner, his focus on typography-led identity work, and his ambitions to develop custom typefaces like Resial. The conversation also touches on his teaching role at ECAL and his approach to balancing creative work with personal life.
- The Designers: Studio Blackburn’s Mark Jones on freelancing, job titles and “graphic imperfection”
The Brand Identity interviews Studio Blackburn’s Design Director Mark Jones about freelancing, creative growth, and the studio’s new website. He discusses lessons learned from freelancing in London, his transition to a leadership role, and his appreciation for 'graphic imperfection' in design. The conversation also touches on Studio Blackburn’s projects for Pinter and a live poster event for Shoreditch Design Triangle.
- Platform’s Molawin Evangelista details their unique transition from retail store to design studio
The Brand Identity interviews Platform co-founder Molawin Evangelista about the studio’s evolution from a conceptual retail store into a full-service design studio based in Auckland, New Zealand. Evangelista discusses the origins of Platform, its fashion roots, and the motivations behind transitioning into design services. The conversation highlights their creative philosophy, community focus, and aspirations to expand beyond fashion into arts, culture, and mental health sectors.
- Studio Ground Floor reflect on the design process behind our book, The Interviews: Volume One
The Brand Identity interviewed Studio Ground Floor about their design process for 'The Interviews: Volume One,' a book compiling 57 interviews with design studios. The studio discussed their archival-inspired approach, typographic choices from Dinamo, and the conceptual details that make the book both timeless and contemporary. The project highlights Studio Ground Floor’s editorial expertise and thoughtful material choices like a PVC cover and Olin paper.
- Superior Type on the business of type design and how to stand out from the “flood of new fonts”
The Brand Identity interviews Superior Type founder Vojtěch Říha about running a type foundry, balancing creativity with business, and standing out in a saturated font market. He discusses his process, notable typefaces like Lenora and Raptor, and his ceramic collaboration project Superior Objects. The conversation offers insight into the challenges of type design and the evolving market for custom fonts.
- U.I.WD’s Bruno Tatsumi on their new website, simplicity and developing an entrepreneurial mindset
The Brand Identity interviews U.I.WD. co-founder Bruno Tatsumi about the studio’s new website, their philosophy of simplicity, and how developing an entrepreneurial mindset has shaped their growth. Tatsumi discusses the studio’s origins, creative evolution, and the balance between creativity and business management. The conversation highlights U.I.WD.’s commitment to simplicity, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
- Morgane VanTorre details the beginning, middle and end of her ever-evolving type design process
The Brand Identity interviews French designer Morgane VanTorre about her evolving approach to type design, focusing on her serif typeface Arthemys. She discusses her research-driven process, the balance between tradition and modernity, and how her education at École Estienne shapes her craft. The conversation also touches on her freelance work, client collaborations, and future ambitions to open her own foundry.
- The Designers: Mucho’s Lyam Bewry on moving abroad, being proactive and tackling creative block
The Brand Identity’s interview with Mucho design director Lyam Bewry explores his journey from the UK to San Francisco, his proactive approach to career growth, and how he manages creative block. Bewry reflects on his early inspirations, the challenges of moving abroad during the pandemic, and the psychological aspects of working in design. The conversation highlights his emphasis on mentorship, optimism, and maintaining creativity through self-awareness.
- Nolan Paparelli on the process and principles behind his typographically-driven practice
The Brand Identity interviews Munich-based designer Nolan Paparelli about his typographically-driven practice and collaborative approach to type design. He discusses his work on the neo-grotesque typeface Kunst Grotesk with Piero Di Biase, his involvement in the new design platform WELTKERN, and his philosophy on type education and pricing. The conversation offers insight into his process, influences, and the evolving landscape of contemporary Swiss typography.
- Ateljé Altmann on working with Acne Studios, building relationships, and the 'new Helvetica'
The Brand Identity interviews Christian Altmann of Stockholm-based studio Ateljé Altmann about his career, collaborations with Acne Studios, and the creation of the studio’s own typeface, Altmann Grotesk. Altmann discusses the importance of relationships, the evolution of the Acne Studios wordmark, and his philosophy of minimal, human-centered design.
- Virgile Flores details his genre-bending, boundary-pushing approach to graphic design
The Brand Identity interviews French graphic designer Virgile Flores about his experimental, genre-bending approach to design. Flores discusses his inspirations from punk and heavy metal culture, his tactile and layered aesthetic, and his philosophy of designing with respect for the audience. He also reflects on his career path, collaborations with major brands, and his evolving creative process.
- The Designers: Studio South’s Liam Ooi on demanding deadlines, dream clients and avoiding burnout
This interview with Studio South designer Liam Ooi explores his career path, experiences working in Auckland’s design scene, and his reflections on balancing creativity with wellbeing. Ooi discusses his involvement in the climate-focused project Mate Act Now, his design process, and the importance of community and mental health in the creative industry.
- Max Pietro Hoffmann on creating Autostrada Studios as a collective space with a collaborative spirit
The Brand Identity interviews Berlin-based designer Max Pietro Hoffmann about the transformation of his personal practice, Studio Max Pietro Hoffmann, into Autostrada Studios. Hoffmann discusses the motivations behind the rebrand, his collaborative philosophy, and the studio’s evolving multidisciplinary approach. The conversation also touches on his background, design process, and aspirations for future projects.
- Jesse Reed details Order's identities, Standards Manual's books and Michael Bierut's wisdom
The Brand Identity interviews Jesse Reed, co-founder of Order and Standards Manual, about the evolution of his Brooklyn-based studio, their publishing ventures, and lessons learned from Michael Bierut at Pentagram. Reed discusses the studio’s modular approach to identity design, particularly for MoMA, and the balance between client work, book publishing, and their new digital brand guidelines platform, Standards.
- Charlie Jeffries on Learning 3D and Balancing Work and Life
The Brand Identity interviews Alphabetical designer Charlie Jeffries about his journey into design, learning 3D and motion, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Jeffries discusses his education at Kingston School of Art, his experience at Alphabetical, and his work on the Bespoke identity for Landmark Hong Kong. He also reflects on side projects, creative growth, and the impact of lockdown on studio culture.
- LogoArchive Issue 7
BP&O’s Richard Baird presents LogoArchive Issue 7, a self-published zine exploring textile industry symbols and the role of metaphor in design. The issue features contributions from Jack Self and Maria Elges, combining editorial writing with material experimentation such as a silkweave-embossed gatefold cover. The project continues LogoArchive’s evolution as a platform for design discourse and self-initiated publishing.
- The Designers: Made Thought’s Joseph Lebus details his unconventional journey into the industry
The Brand Identity interviews Made Thought designer Joseph Lebus about his unconventional path into design, his typographic experimentation, and his approach to creativity. Lebus discusses how his background in languages informs his visual work, his experiences working remotely, and key projects such as collaborations with IOM and Imprimerie Du Marais. The conversation highlights his belief in experimentation, process, and pushing creative boundaries.
- Ken Hegemann on creative directing and thinking digital-first at No Service 24/7
The Brand Identity interviews Ken Hegemann, Creative Director at Berlin-based agency No Service 24/7, about his career path, design philosophy, and the studio’s digital-first approach. Hegemann discusses his background in typography, his leadership style, and the agency’s work for major clients like Nike, Spotify, and CLOSED. The conversation highlights the studio’s conceptual and collaborative process, as well as its research arm No Influence 24/7.
- The Designers: Folch’s Josep Puy on creative process, teamwork and more
The Brand Identity interviews Folch senior designer and art director Josep Puy about his creative process, teamwork, and evolution within the Barcelona-based studio. Puy discusses mentorship from Albert Folch, the studio’s collaborative culture, and their recent project Ecosistema del Diseño Español, a dynamic digital identity for Spain’s design industry. The conversation explores motion design, typography, and the importance of curiosity and communication in creative work.
- Mark Bloom on launching CoType Foundry after seven years of planning
The Brand Identity interviews designer Mark Bloom about launching his new London-based type foundry, CoType, after seven years of planning. Bloom discusses his journey from graphic design to type design, the creation of his first fonts, and the development of CoType’s initial catalogue of four typefaces. He also shares insights into his design process, inspirations, and future plans for the foundry.