Moves and changes: design industry news

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London and Singapore-based global brand agency Bloom has appointed Nick Clark as executive creative director as it looks to consolidate its reputation in cross-sector brand experience, innovation and packaging design. Clark has worked in the industry for over 30 years at various studios and agencies, from advertising agency The Partners to social impact-driven studio Purpose Done Right, with clients based throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Derek Yates – previously Ravensbourne University’s head of curriculum for Innovation & Industry collaboration – has been appointed as the new head of the university’s in-house agency Creative Lab, which brings students, researchers and creative industry contacts together through collaborations and initiatives. Creative Lab carries out work in the fields of branding, graphic and digital design across a range of clients, including Deloitte, Kopparberg, The Obama Foundation, NHS, Nike, Sky Creative and Warner Music.

Brand design studio Without has announced three new hires across strategy, client service and design. Ciara Scannell has joined as senior strategist, Rhiannon Jones as senior account manager, and Paula Calleja as junior designer.

Scannell was previously at The Yard Creative, where she worked with clients including JFK Airport in New York and Lipolife health supplements, while Jones comes from Ascend Studio, where she led accounts across multiple industries, such as animal-free protein, plant-based plastics, data, healthcare and cosmetics. Calleja studied design at Goldsmiths before working as freelancer and illustrator for brands including IKEA, Diesel and Inditex. Following stints in Portugal and Spain, she has relocated to London to join Without.

Liverpool-based brand agency Continuous has announced Stephen Conchie as its new creative director, alongside two internal promotions. Conchie brings 25 years of experience to the studio, having worked in agencies such as The Chase and Brandon.

Caroline Whittaker has been promoted to strategy director and will continue to head up Continuous’ strategy team, while Olivia Downing will lead on concept development in her new role as associate creative director.

1HQ Global has appointed Jason Glassick as executive director to work across its UK and Singapore teams. His 25 years of experience spans multiple agencies, including Design Bridge, JKR and his own agency Glassick Brands.

Grey London has appointed Liam Thomas as head of design to lead its 15-strong design team and occasionally work with its sister agency in Croatia. Thomas joins the studio from DEPT® where he was also head of design.

London-based branding agency WMH&I has announced two senior appointments. After two years in the business, James Flint has been promoted to design director, recognising his pivotal role in re-shaping the agency’s direction following the merger of WMH with Identica in 2021.

Andi Yanto will assume Flint’s previous role at WMH&I as creative lead, and comes from White Bear Studio, where he was design director. Yanto moved to the UK from Sydney in 2012 and has since held senior design roles at London agencies such as Superunion, Lambie-Nairn and Landor.

Tim Stafford has been promoted to managing director of Imagination Detroit, taking over from Alistair Wilson who has been in the role for five years. Stafford is currently director of live communications for Imagination Detroit and will take up his new role from September 1, 2023. Wilson will step into the newly created managing director role at Imagination Melbourne, re-joining the Melbourne office that he helped originally establish over 12 years ago.

Consultancies

Design business Lumsden – best known for creating retail and hospitality spaces for the museum, cultural and visitor experience industry – has announced changes at the company, following a management buyout. The business was formed 12 years ago by Callum Lumsden and Simon Clark and has since serviced clients such as the National Gallery, V&A, MoMA, British Museum and Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter.

Lumsden’s design director, James Dwyer, has now become owner and creative director of the company as it continues to focus on growth and responding to demand for fully immersive experiences. Dwyer says: “As a founding member of the Lumsden team, I am very proud of our achievements over the past twelve years, and I am delighted to now be taking the business forward. I am very grateful to our founders Callum Lumsden and Simon Clark for their continued dedication, mentorship, and support as we embark on this exciting new chapter.” Both Lumsden and Clark will remain as board directors of the company.

Global experience design agency Event has been appointed to work on the exhibitions in the new Natural History Museum of Denmark, set to open in 2025. The new museum will be located in a corner of the Botanical Garden in the heart of Copenhagen and combine the Zoological Museum at Østerbro and the former Geological Museum into one.

Event will collaborate with two Danish companies – Stouenborg and Steensen Varming who are specialists in light, sound and video, and lighting design – throughout the project.