Instrument is a technology-led creative agency based in New York and Portland, uniting strategy, design, and engineering to build transformative brand, product, and marketing experiences. Led by CEO Laurel Burton, CCO Nishat Akhtar, COO Coryna Sorin, and CPO Tessa Baston, the agency partners with forward-thinking companies to create meaningful digital impact. Instrument’s multidisciplinary team crafts cohesive brand ecosystems that connect people and purpose. Recognized by Fast Company as a Best Workplace for Women in Innovation, Instrument continues to shape a better future through creativity, technology, and human-centered design.
Technologies detected on Instrument's website.
The Brand Identity interviews art director Xiyu Deng about her approach to design, storytelling, and bridging art with communication. She discusses her work at Media Arts Lab, her personal platform DXY®, and projects like the Sixteen Labs rebrand that translate complex technology into human-centered design. Deng emphasizes openness, collaboration, and learning through making as key to her creative process.
The Brand Identity’s interview with New York-based designer Yumin Hwang explores her freelance journey, from transitioning out of advertising to working with start-ups and studios like Character and Instrument. She discusses the benefits of remote work, the challenges of freelancing, and her approach to adapting to new teams and projects. The conversation highlights her growth in leadership, communication, and flexibility as a creative professional.
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.
BP&O’s article by Richard Baird reviews MultiAdaptor’s rebrand for Google’s Campus, a global network of coworking and event spaces. The identity embraces a DIY, collage-like aesthetic that reflects startup energy and community spirit while distinguishing itself from Google’s polished Material Design. The system spans digital and physical touchpoints, balancing creative play with systematic structure.