The Yard Creative is an award winning strategic design studio based in London. Our core design services include research, strategy, branding, physical space design and front-end digital. We are a team of passionate creatives that thrive on building great relationships with our clients and expert partners.
Over the years we have found that the most fulfilling and challenging projects come from clients who have great aspirations for their brand. It might be intimidating for clients to disrupt the norm and push through the boundaries but we are here to support, encourage and light the way to create new benchmarks.
Our clients invest in us to do things differently with a variety of objectives. Whether raising sales or brand awareness, generating recognition from landlords or even creating something in the physical world that will go viral in the digital world. No challenge is too great!
Looking forward to the next challenge
With a background in retail strategy and interior design, Sian & I set up TYC in 2007 to offer our clients a personal level of service backed by evidential design. Before that I was Associate Director at Astound, London and ran the interior side of the business.
The range of my projects over the past 15 years is wildly varied and includes: Tesco, Superdrug, John Lewis Food hall, Harrods manshop, one of the first ever retail infrastructures in India for Reliance Industries, 3M Innovation Centre, B&Q UK & Hong Kong and KPN Telecom NL to name a few.
What do I fill my spare time with? Wakeboarding, snowboarding, long boarding…generally anything with a board!
I trained as a Product Designer at Brunel University and then quickly progressed into the scientific field of User Experience Design in the digital industry.
My early career as a management consultant at PA Consulting (an innovation and technology firm) taught me a lot about frameworks that can be applied to creative thinking in order to leverage it for business transformation. This platform opened many doors and allowed me to work with some of the most cutting edge digital consultancies of their time; Conchango (now EMC), Harvest Digital and We Are Experience.
At TYC we have applied my customer-focused approach in the digital world to our projects in the physical world in order to bring a different approach to Environment design.
In my spare time (?!?) I like a challenge such as snowboarding, surfing and raising two small boys.
I have spent nearly 40 years in the ‘advertising’ business and the last 10 years working with specialist agencies that seek the experience and knowledge that a Non Exec Director role brings.
My extensive retail and creative agency experience includes Cogent, Publicis, WPP, Red Cell, Sandom as well as The Mall / C&R Plc.
I have a passion for collaborating with challenger brands. I work with them to deliver expansion and success. Together we unify brand propositioning and use creative execution to guarantee quality and value for those keen to deliver growth.
With a formal background in Architectural Interior Design from the Surrey Institute of Art & Design (now UCA), I joined TYC as Creative Director, leaving a trail of globally award-winning projects in my wake. I’ve spent the last 14 years working closely with household names and newcomers alike, inspiring clients and colleagues at a strategic and production level. I get a kick out of motivating a new generation to get as excited about design as I am.
It’s been an exhilarating career so far, taking me to five continents and too many cities to mention, but I’m a proper ‘London boy’ so it’s always good to be home, with a finger on the London pulse. I’m over the moon to join a fresh-faced, forward thinking agency such as TYC.
On the sly, I’m into restoring mid-century furniture and I’m a collector/hoarder of cool objects from yesteryears (don’t get me started!). Digging even deeper, I’m halfway through writing and illustrating a trilogy of children’s books for the design-conscious parent & child, as you do.
With over 10 years experience of working in the design industry, specialising in retail, leisure & hospitality projects for clients throughout the UK, Europe & Middle East. From entrepreneurial start-ups to established global players, I thrive on a good design challenge and love going old school with pencils and paper.
After studying Interior Design at UCA I have worked in many London agencies to help them develop their Retail and Hospitality offering. I have to admit that I am an 'organiser' from my days at uni curating our New Designers exhibition to managing the team on a daily basis. Spreadsheets and sketchpads are my two best office buddies!
I'm Mark. Head of Brand at The Yard. My passion is delivering brilliant creative work that works in the real world. I love delivering imaginative thinking that really changes the lives of people and positive outcomes for businesses. And no matter what the challenge (it may be to sell more, build awareness, take on the competition, grow your share of the market, or just become more relevant and competitive again) it’s those inspired ideas matched with flawless delivery that helps a brand deliver positive change.
I’ve been in the creative industry for about 18+ years and before joining The Yard, worked at a number of top 20 agencies in London including PR and Marketing. You name it, I’ve worked in a lot of markets from charity, FMCG, education, and sports, through to startups, real estate, destination, and broadcast TV. It’s always about the idea driving the work.
Out of work I like to sketch, cycle, fix my vintage Lambretta and I usually have a ton of DIY to sort out at home too… oh, and two amazingly beautiful children that completely run me ragged.
I studied Interior Architecture & Design at the renound School or Architecture at University of Kent. My experience at uni gave me a deep interest in the full lifecycle of the design process. I love being involved from the initial sketch concepts right through to technical details and, of course, the final stage of snagging and handover. I get a kick out of seeing my designs come to life in a physical space!
So far, I have been lucky enough to work on a wide range of projects across retail, food and beverage, transport and hospitality sectors.
Outside of work, I love seeing friends and exploring the 'Big Smoke', all the time on the look out for a new brand experience or art exhibition.
In the TYC studio I am known for my passion for perfection and attention to detail along with my kooky ability to speak faster than light!
I joined TYC in March 2020 - probably the weirdest time to join a company in recent history! I have a sales background in a variety of industries including beauty and tech, and I am excited to be working for such a creative, well-regarded company, bringing our great designs to new people and helping them understand how our work fits with their vision.
The most exciting part of Business Development in such a well-rounded company is that no client is ever the same, and neither is the work we do for them.
In my spare time I like to do aerial hoop and other associated aerial acrobatics - if it’s dangerous and beautiful I’m into it.
I'm a Loughborough University 2020 grad and I'm super excited to begin my career at The Yard Creative, following a placement year combining in-house fashion experience with design agency work. I enjoy working on many aspects of graphic design, especially branding, editorial and packaging, with a particular interest in typography.
I'm a sucker for an instagramable pop up (preferably with amazing food) and my magazine collection is constantly growing. Aside from all things creative, I dabble in ice-skating and yoga and love to travel.
After graduating from Leeds Art University in 2019 I moved back home to the south to start my career. I love to create outcomes which are grounded in research and have that hidden meaning. I moved to The Yard Creative in 2020 to continue exploring this passion!
Outside of work I enjoy binging the latest TV show and drinking copious amounts of tea. You’ll also catch me dusting off my ice skating skills and exploring other cities on a long weekend!
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After graduating from Nottingham Trent in 2018, I was very keen to get into the world of design.
Moving down to London, working at a few different agencies gaining experience in Branding, packaging and retail, I had the joy of joining TYC in 2020! Combining creative typography, illustration and block colour is a real passion of mine. I love to create imaginative and exciting new ideas from breaking down briefs and finding a strong core concept.
Outside of work I love exploring the latest exhibitions at different museums/galleries, finding new delicious restaurants or binging the latest crime drama on tv!
Before TYC I worked in a London-based creative agency, client-side brand team and in innovation and brand consultancies where I focused on proposition, insight and strategy. Through this varied background, I've been lucky enough to work on a whole host of clients - from finance and food to film and FMCG.
I love applying my eclectic experience to any creative challenge I'm presented with in order to help unearth what really makes consumers tick and to bring fresh perspectives and impactful solutions.
When I'm not behind a desk or out interviewing consumers, I can be found trying something new (why do the same thing over and over?). Next on my list is laughing yoga - but open to any other suggestions!
Arriving in the big city, a fresh-faced Scot, now a seasoned London designer. Aside from developing serious tea-drinking abilities, I have been lucky enough to work on some incredible brands over the years, spanning start-ups and charities to high-end property developments and global arts organisations, before joining the TYC team in July 2019. Now at TYC I have added yet more strings to my bow, creating unique hospitality experiences and a brand fit for Dubai royalty.
With an inherent curiosity and love for the challenge, I am forever pushing the boundaries of the brief with my strong creative thinking and a collaborative approach. The detail in typography is my jam, so no i is left undotted, or t uncrossed.
Out-with the 9-5, I am usually seen scooting around Surrey on my bike or in the pub sampling the latest brews (someones got to!).
Hey! I’m Joe, a Senior Interior Designer at TYC. From first ideas to finished design; I bring many of our interior concepts to life for clients big and small.
I’m here to meet, understand and help the people behind the brand from the initial briefing stages and space planning, through to the management of design and observation of construction.
You'll find me with a flat white in one hand and a sketchbook in the other or on the bike preparing for the next epic cycling adventure!
Hep up, I'm Pat. I have over 10 years experience predominantly within the retail sector working on bringing brands to life in both the digital and physical world. As a designer I focus on the experience of the customer, generating stories and narratives that engage and inspire.
When in the studio you will usually find me in a bold print, attempting to control my vocal volume and surrounded by stationary. Outside the studio, you will mostly find me bombing down the hill on a bike somewhere in kent, preferably on route to the local public house.
Our flexibility and speed means clients can use our skills to suit their requirements. By keeping a compact team we are able to give our clients a professional yet personal service with creativity at it's heart, ensuring that our clients never get a ‘copy and paste’ solution.
“Our space was referred to as a masterclass in positioning and branding. We attribute the praise to The Yard Creative’s work and support in the build and design management process. We often see customers taking pictures when they come in, and there’s a lot of interest in who designed the space."
“The Yard Creative approached our project with completely fresh minds, they are dedicated to conducting meaningful research and implementing findings into their work. They come across as people who are trying to do real work and aren’t trying to become a branding factory. They dig deep for their projects, and their approach to research sets them apart. Their can-do attitude makes for a refreshing partnership."
“Their approach is based on studying all the facts and combining their learnings with retail science, trends and customer behaviours to create a design that is unique on the high street. "
“TYC were instrumental in our ability to launch our business so successfully in Westfield London. Their guidance on our design and operation were hugely beneficial and their introductions to U.K. Asset Managers helped greatly in securing such a premium site for our first shop."
“From a design perspective, they gave us a really good hierarchy and ruleset that we’ve been able to roll out across over a hundred and twenty products. We credit them with being able to increase our conversion by over 1,000% and our total business by 20% since we started working with them."
“The Yard Creative have been exceptional. I wouldn’t have a bad word to say about them. We see them as almost our founding partners, and they are like a family to us now. I have worked very closely with them. Steve is one of the main reasons we use The Yard Creative because of his passion, drive, commitment, and his opportunity to assist startup businesses."
“Their energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and it means we never ever have to push them; they’ll push themselves. That excitement also has experience attached to it. If you want something that will push you to think differently, they’ll deliver that. They don’t rehash old content; they’re original thinkers."
“The Yard is able to take a step back and get introspective about what they’re doing. They didn’t just fit us into a mould that other brands might have also created. They’re not an agency that steals ideas. They self reflect, they research, and they apply new thinking."
“We enjoy a very productive and professional working relationship with Steve and The Yard. Their work consistently exceeds expectations, and our expectations are high!"
“We chose TYC as they bring a unique approach as it's their designers who create and execute the research, instead of an outside resource. They look and listen in an entirely different way. In less than 4 weeks we had an incredible insight document that has now shaped the future development of our brand and experiences."
“They were able to bring my personality and the authenticity I desired into the brand. The brand now represents the company well. I couldn’t feel better about the positive experience I had; I loved working with them."
A silver award For SushiDog at the FAB Awards 2019.
For SushiDog at the Revo Opal Awards 2019.
Awarded in the Fashion Footwear and Jewellery category for Sage F1 product launch for OFFICE in collaboration with Nike at The International VM Awards 2019.
Awarded for Socialites in the Multiple Locations Mall Retail category at the Revo Opal Awards 2018.
Awarded for Garden of Hope by World Vision in the Single Location Mall Retail category at the Revo Opal Awards 2018.
Awarded Silver for PROTEIN HAUS in the Most Effective Stand/Display Unit (Instore/Kiosk/Indoor) category at the Field Marketing Brand Experience (FMBE) Awards 2017.
For PROTEIN HAUS in the Interior Design & Retail Environment category at The 19th FAB Awards.
For PROTEIN HAUS at the Revo Opal Awards 2017.
A silver award for The Story Shop by World Vision UK at the DBA Design Effectiveness Award 2017.
For The Story Shop by World Vision UK in the Best Use of Design with Technology In-store category at the Retail Week Interiors Awards 2016.
For The Story Shop by World Vision UK at the Field Marketing and Brand Experience Awards 2016.
For The Story Shop by World Vision UK at the SCEPTRE Awards 2016
For The Story Shop by World Vision UK at The Drum Design Awards 2016.
For The Story Shop by World Vision UK at the BCSC Opal Awards 2016.
For Models Own Bottleshop at the BCSC Opal Awards 2015.
For Models Own Bottleshop at the Meadowhall Retail Awards 2014.
For Models Own Bottleshop at the BCSC Opal Awards 2013.
The Aurora Award recognises exceptional commercialisation and is the top accolade of theBCSC Opal Awards.
For Models Own Bottleshop at the BCSC Opal Awards 2013.
For Olive Oil and Oregano by ISCC Global Awards.
For T2020 Trolley by Cafe Society Awards.
