Mother Design

As agencies face increasing pressure to deliver results in a demanding world, nurturing creativity within teams has never been more essential. With The Drum’s World Creative Rankings 2025 being released this week, industry leaders share how they carve out space for creative exploration amidst the chaos. Joanna Tulej, Creative Director at Mother Design, offers an inspiring perspective on fostering creativity through experimentation, cultural exploration, and wellness - all key to breaking free from the daily grind and letting ideas flourish. Jo says, “It’s about creating as many moments as possible, inside and outside of project work, to break out of habits and rhythms and embrace experimentation.” Catch the full article in The Drum here: https://lnkd.in/eyT6bebc #Innovation #CreativeCulture

Big moves in the world of sustainability: Unilever is reportedly set to acquire Wild for £230m. But the real question isn’t just about numbers, it’s about identity.   What happens when a bold disruptor joins a global giant? Can Wild keep its edge, or will it lose what made it special in the first place?   According to Annabel Engels, MD at Mother Design, the challenge isn’t just about growth. It’s about making sure Wild continues to elevate the category, rather than just expanding its market share.   As Annabel puts it: “Consumers have become increasingly wary of large corporations acquiring once-independent brands. To avoid this pitfall, Unilever must ensure that Wild retains its independent voice, maintains transparency in its sustainability commitments, and resists the urge to over-commercialise its messaging.”   Can a brand stay wild after an acquisition❓   Read the full article in The Drum here: https://lnkd.in/eudeNPS5   #Sustainability #Acquisitions #Disruptors #BrandIdentity

How are creatives finding new energy in January? Our creative director, Harry Edmonds has kick started his creative energy this January with a studio talk from Henrik K., the principal designer at A2-TYPE. It’s the first in the 2025 series of internal sessions hosted at Mother Design’s own studio that both highlights the importance of collaborating with the right partners, as well as serving as inspiration for the wider team.   “In a fast-paced business, I often find there aren’t enough moments where we pause to enjoy the detail that goes into creating our work.” To change the momentum this January, Mother Design’s internal showcases intend to emphasise the importance of taking time to better understand, appreciate and celebrate the diverse and specialist skill sets that often go into creating impactful brand worlds.   Read Harry’s full contribution in Creativebrief here: https://lnkd.in/eK6XmpTg  #future #leadership #creativity

David Lynch wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was a visionary who reshaped storytelling and refined how we unlock creative potential. His influence stretched far beyond cinema, leaving a lasting mark on art, music, and culture.   As someone fortunate enough to have worked pro bono with The David Lynch Foundation UK, our very own Annabel Engels, Managing Director at Mother Design, witnessed firsthand how Lynch strongly believed in the connection between meditation and creativity. He was a pioneer in making Transcendental Meditation (TM) accessible to those who needed it most — from children and veterans to survivors of domestic violence and NHS staff post-COVID. Lynch’s surreal storytelling was more than a visual feast; it was a masterclass in unlocking creativity. He proved that creativity isn’t just sparked, it’s cultivated. Lynch’s films are a must-watch, but his true legacy lies in his encouragement to be bold, and unapologetically different. Annabel's real insight into working with Lynch reminds us of the importance of turning inward to unlock our creativity. Link to the full article in LBBonline - Little Black Book 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5QGenCQ #DavidLynch #creativity #inspiration

At this year’s The Design Kids Awards, our very own George Wu is stepping into the spotlight as a judge 🏆✨   She’s one of ten experts selected to judge entries from designers from all over the world. With her experience across projects for BBC Sounds, Barbican, Science Museum Group, and Selfridges, George knows how to spot emerging design talent that truly shines.   The awards are now open – find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eyK8MEu6..   #DesignForTomorrow #CreativeCommunity #TDKAwards

If you’ve ever experienced a Punchdrunk immersive theatre production, you’ll know the magic and imagination it inspires.     Punchdrunk Enrichment brings that same sense of wonder to children, particularly those in underserved schools, through immersive theatre experiences that spark creativity, build confidence, and open up new possibilities.   This week marked the start of their fundraising campaign for the Big Give Christmas Challenge, where all donations are doubled. Funds raised will go towards bringing these incredible experiences to schools, where creativity and imagination are needed most. This year they will be supporting schools in the London Borough of Brent for the first time.   We were honoured to design the social media campaign to support this important initiative. Our idea, “Give a Big Imagination,” focuses on showing the power of a donation with messaging that encourages supporters to 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦-𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, and to 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.   The visuals combine big, bold, paper-cut typography (capturing children’s creativity) with real moments from past workshops, showing the joy and impact of Punchdrunk Enrichment’s work.   The Big Give runs until 10th December —donate now and double the impact for young imaginations: Donate here: https://lnkd.in/epqvsJ22 Learn more about Punchdrunk Enrichment: https://lnkd.in/eHVYbuRg   A huge thank you to Punchdrunk Enrichment for choosing us to play a part in this campaign.   #PunchdrunkEnrichment #BigGive #GiveABigImagination #MotherDesign https://lnkd.in/eth-Pasc

How do you create a brand experience people won’t forget? “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them fee." Maya Angelou’s observation about humankind is a simple reminder for brands that are striving to stand out in an increasingly crowded retail market. It’s not enough to just look good.    At Mother Design, we’re thinking beyond the shelf, exploring how multi-sensory branding can create deeper connections. Sound, touch, scent, and light aren’t just add-ons—they’re powerful tools for shaping perception and strengthening loyalty.   In a recent Grocery Trader feature, Kirsty Minns, our ECD and Partner, shares how brands like Selfridges, and Stella McCartney are using multi-sensory design to transform not just retail spaces, but entire brand ecosystems.   From tactile packaging to curated soundscapes, the future of branding lies in creating immersive experiences that resonate across both physical and digital worlds. Because success goes to the brands that not only think differently but those that think about the power of design across every touch point.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eCVJFTqw   #MotherDesign #BeyondTheShelf #DesignThatConnects  

"It doesn’t matter how beautiful or well-crafted your work is—if it doesn’t resonate with culture and society, it’s likely to fall flat." Cecilia Serafini, design director at Mother Design. In her interview with LBBonline - Little Black Book, Cecilia talks about the art of staying relevant in a fast-changing world. For her, great design balances adaptability with timelessness—it’s grounded in cultural insight, audience understanding, and a vision that goes beyond passing trends. Take a closer look at Cecilia’s perspective here: https://lnkd.in/epGC4cRt #CreativeStrategy #DesignThinking  

"How do you capture a completely new way of tasting? Designing air up® meant crafting an identity that brings a scent-based experience to life,” says Joanna Tulej, our creative director. “It’s about balancing vibrancy with sophistication- creating an identity as playful as it is refined."   Take a read of Dieline's latest article to see how we translated Scentaste™ into a visual world that feels as layered as the science behind it.    🔗https://lnkd.in/eTKyuxK7 #SensoryDesign #Packaging  

🎄 It’s time for some Christmas magic from the Mother Family 🎄   Launching today, the latest Marks and Spencer Clothing & Home festive campaign brings the joy of Christmas to life through a young girl’s enchanting snow globe.   Set to "I Believe in Miracles" by The Jackson Sisters, the ad follows Skylar Blue, of Britain’s Got Talent fame, as she moves through a home that transforms around her. Directed by Elliott Power, with choreography by Corey Baker, the campaign captures the sense of wonder that makes this time of year special.   Designed to showcases the best in partywear and gifting, this stunning new commercial is a beautiful escape into a festive fantasy, which celebrates M&S as the ultimate destination for holiday clothing, gifting, and home decor.    Congratulations to the team at M&S and to our partners at Mother and Mindshare on the launch of ‘Christmas Starts Here’. So come on, who’s feeling festive? 🎄🎁 https://lnkd.in/e8U7Whu3