MAD is a Berlin-based digital product studio that designs brands and builds digital products. Its strategists, designers and technologists work across product and brand strategy, UX/UI, prototyping, design systems and in-house engineering.
Berlin, Germany
4 Cases
Designers and creative leads attributed to MAD in press coverage.
Creative Boom’s podcast ‘The Spark’ features a relaxed conversation between host Katy Cowan and designer James Martin of Made by James. The episode takes a playful, unfiltered approach, touching on daily rituals, creative frustrations, and humorous personal stories. It offers candid insights into the realities of creative life without the usual polish or pretense.
Creative Boom’s podcast episode features designer James Martin of Made by James in conversation with host Katy Cowan about the realities of personal branding and visibility in the creative industry. They discuss the pressures of online presence, authenticity, and building a career based on trust rather than performance. The episode offers a grounded perspective on how creatives can sustain meaningful careers without succumbing to social media expectations.
BP&O’s Emily Gosling reviews Made Thought’s branding and packaging for Juana, a Dubai-based CBD skincare brand founded by Yann Moujawaz Martini. The identity uses a restrained palette of greens and yellows, minimalist typography, and subtle art direction to convey calm confidence and scientific credibility. Despite criticism of the copywriting, the visual design is praised for its elegance, coherence, and differentiation in an oversaturated market.
The Brand Identity interviews Sam Southwell, founder and executive creative director of Auckland-based studio (South), about the studio’s 21-year journey and its new book, 'Moments in Time.' The 290-page publication documents the evolution of (South) from its origins as Aplus Design Studio to a multi-division consultancy encompassing brand, communications, and fabrication. Southwell discusses the challenges of independence, the importance of culture, and the studio’s commitment to design as a lifelong pursuit.
Creative Boom’s feature on Animade marks the London animation studio’s 16th anniversary, exploring how its founders Ed Barrett, Tom Judd, and Jen Judd have sustained and evolved the company through industry challenges. The article highlights Animade’s refreshed branding, its focus on character-driven motion, and its enduring relationships with major tech clients like Apple, Meta, Google, and LEGO. It also shares insights on resilience, collaboration, and adapting to new animation technologies and formats.
The Brand Identity interviews Stacey Saunders, General Manager at Houston Group, about the creation of her podcast and brand platform Badass Bitches In Brand. Developed with Houston’s design team, the identity rejects stereotypical pink palettes in favor of bold red and confident visual language. The project celebrates women in branding through honest conversation, collaboration, and mentorship.
The article explores the 2025 Zum Festival in São Paulo, a major event celebrating contemporary photography and independent publishing. It highlights standout photobooks and zines that reflect Brazil’s vibrant self-publishing scene, including works by Rafael Roncato and Romeu Silveira. The piece emphasizes the diversity, experimentation, and social engagement of Brazil’s indie photobook culture.
The Brand Identity interviews designer Sthuthi Ramesh about launching her transcultural studio, All Around Design, after years of independent work and experience at major agencies. She discusses balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, her philosophy of cultural fluidity in design, and her preference for human-centered, handcrafted creativity amid the rise of AI. The piece also highlights her work with major cultural institutions and her sustainable, collaborative studio model.
The Brand Identity interviews F37 Foundry’s Rick Banks and Nomad’s Terry Stephens and Natalie Doto about their collaboration on F37 Holborn, a new typeface inspired by 1970s corporate modernism and the London district of Holborn. The project includes a 136-page book reimagining 100 business signs, serving as both a type specimen and a celebration of local typographic heritage. The discussion explores the creative process, research, and the value of physicality in showcasing type design.
Creative Boom’s article by Tom May explores HMRC’s renewed use of its 'Direct Recovery of Debts' powers, allowing the UK tax authority to withdraw unpaid taxes directly from bank accounts. Freelancers and creatives share mixed reactions—some expressing distrust and concern about fairness, while others argue the fears are exaggerated. The piece advises freelancers to maintain communication with HMRC and highlights safeguards and appeal processes in place.
Affinity, the professional creative software brand recently acquired by Canva, has unveiled a full rebrand and product relaunch. Led by Canva’s European creative director Tom Carey and executed with Design by Twist, the new identity balances connection to Canva with a distinct, creative personality. Featuring a bespoke serif logomark, custom typeface by Ohno, and a tactile color palette, the rebrand emphasizes approachability and artistic expression.
Creative Boom’s special report by Tom May gathers insights from seven UK studio leaders on how AI is influencing the creative process. While many see AI as a useful tool for accelerating research and ideation, they agree it hasn’t replaced human creativity or judgement. The consensus is that AI is being pragmatically integrated into workflows, enhancing efficiency without redefining the essence of creative work.
BOND rebranded Helsinki’s Allas Pool to support its expansion across Europe, creating a flexible identity rooted in Nordic values but designed for global appeal. The new brand centres on the tagline 'Water Your Soul' and features a fluid wordmark, blue-toned palette, and motion-driven digital assets. Collaborations with Evermade and Taiste supported the website and app development, while Studio Feixen’s Ease typeface reinforced the brand’s organic, water-inspired aesthetic.
The article gathers insights from leading creative directors and studio founders about their strategic priorities for 2026. Themes include efficiency through AI, the growing importance of strategy, blurred boundaries between disciplines, and the need for bold, distinctive creative work. Despite economic uncertainty, many studios express optimism and a focus on smarter, more collaborative approaches.
Liz Gorny’s opinion piece for It’s Nice That explores whether client briefs in the creative industry are deteriorating in quality. Drawing on perspectives from industry figures like Aries Moross, Terry Stephens, Mike Reed, and Ed Tsue, the article examines trends such as longer, AI-written, and more collaborative briefs, as well as issues of stakeholder misalignment. While some see these changes as signs of decline, others view them as evidence of growing client awareness and ambition.
Katy Cowan argues that communication, not talent, is the most vital skill for freelancers. Drawing on her experience and examples from Stuart Watson of Nomad and James Ede of Be Heard, she explains how consistent, respectful communication builds trust and long-term client relationships. The article emphasizes that reliability and clarity often matter more than creative brilliance in sustaining a freelance career.
Creative Boom celebrates the 40th edition of Gab, Glasgow’s beloved grassroots creative event founded by Jamhot. The article highlights the community spirit, inspiring talks from studios like Studio Blup and Animade, and the event’s enduring role in uniting the city’s creative scene. It captures the warmth, collaboration, and energy that continue to make Gab a standout fixture in Scotland’s design calendar.
Shanghai-based studio Made by Sandwich designed the visual identity and packaging for Yeoian Huang’s solo album PARADOX, translating its themes of contradiction and unity into a typographic concept. The design features a reversed title treatment, custom typeface inspired by highway lettering, and a black-and-white palette that mirrors the album’s emotional dualities. The project reflects a deep collaboration between the musician and the studio, emphasizing philosophical tension through restrained yet expressive design.
https://mad.ac/
