The Yard Creative is an award winning design studio based in South London. Our core design services include interior design, graphic design, strategy, branding and research. 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 studding 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 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!
After graduating in July 2017, I am thrilled to be starting my adventure at The Yard Creative - I am ready to explore new possibilities and develop myself as a designer! I enjoy the freedom and experimentation of conceptual work, but also the detail design process, really puzzling over how to make things work. Ultimately I love the satisfaction of a unique and well thought out design!
In my spare time, I enjoy walking around parks or botanical gardens, embracing my Italian side and experimenting in the kitchen and photographing the natural world - I have a soft spot for colourful flowers, small animals and interesting insects! I also spend a lot of time horse riding, I have been riding since I was 8 and I enjoy going for long hacks or taking part in showjumping and dressage competitions - hopefully soon on my very own horse!
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.
Before arriving at the Yard, my background consisted of years of graphic design and print production within the retail industry, as well as a handful of diverse and exciting freelance projects.
Now I have my feet firmly settled in the Yard, I have been able to work across more projects than I can count, creating truly special artefacts, events, and ideas for some fantastic clients. For me, it's all about working with the client to create something that they can own, instilling confidence, support, and of course a visual wow-factor.
In my spare time, I'm normally trying not to fall off a climbing wall somewhere in the UK, or cooking the finest vegan lasagne in town.
Telling people I study at Loughborough Uni always results in the same question, and leads to the same answer: no I don’t play rugby. But I do study Graphic Communication and Illustration and am now working at TYC on my placement year.
With a love for immersive theatre, I am partial to a good story. I love using narrative and voice in design, and am now doing just that at TYC! Inspiration strikes me at any time, but usually during arty films and visits to well-designed restaurants.
I dream about travelling in Japan, roasting cauliflower and charity shop bargains. I have nightmares about missing Neighbours episodes.
After studying Graphic Design at the University of Gloucestershire, I began working in a few agencies in Bristol with a background in packaging and print design. However, my heart belonged to London and in 2019 I made the move and was lucky enough to join The Yard Creative.
I enjoy working across different areas of design, from core brand to packaging to digital assets whilst developing new skills as a designer. Being part of the team at The Yard allows me to continually work across exciting projects and push myself creatively.
In my spare time, you can most likely find me at Kew Gardens or illustrating a good old positive quote.
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!
Before joining TYC, I have had extensive experience in retail management. I joined TYC in August 2019 to help with the smooth running and inlining the day to day processes of a well-rounded studio from a different angle and to make life a little easier for our superbly talented team.
When I'm not doing DIY projects around the house, I am daydreaming about activities in Madagascar, Japan and everywhere else far away.
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!
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.
“The Yard Creative proved to be a thoughtful and creative consulting partner, evidenced by their dedication to building strong design concepts. They provided services beyond the scope of the agreement in hopes of amplifying the final vision"
“I challenged you to make a very successful format even more successful. And it would seem that is exactly what you have delivered, positioning Fuel Juice Bars as the No.1 in our market."
“The Yard Creative will take all your bright and wonderful ideas that are currently sitting in your head and turn them, like magic, into something you can stand next to and say this is me."
“The team at The Yard Creative has been instrumental in providing the sparks of imagination to stimulate 'fresh thinking' within our business. "
“TYC challenged the very essence of what a concierge desk could be. They've designed the most eye-catching desk we have ever seen!"
“It’s refreshing to work with a young, innovative design agency who have the ability to design a unique premium fashion concept, which does not look like its ‘ripped off’ every other retailer on the market."
“Remarkable concept designers. Great understanding of retail. Fantastic people to work with. A perfect mix with Models Own."
“TYC have an excellent eye for taking difficult spaces and designing a concept space that can sell. They can see what others can't. They are a pleasure to work with!"
“The Yard Creative continues to execute excellent designs for showrooms all over the world. Their responsive and enthusiastic team delivers high-quality work on time. Their exceptional work ethic complemented their professional management style. Expect a dedicated and approachable creative team."
“We owe them a lot. TYC have given us a whole new lease of life, and the whole concept, including the kiosk design has won a great deal of praise and admiration, as well as a few jealous looks from other retailers! "
“To be a successful business you need TYC on your team! TYC provided the insight and creativity that woke my 'sleeping brand'. The energy and commitment TYC brought to both myself and Socialites gave us the ability to buckle-up and compete in our fastpaced market."
“We enjoy a very productive and professional working relationship with Steve and The Yard. Their work consistently exceeds expectations, and our expectations are high!"
“The most intelligently thought through work we have seen for this unit. It shows a good understanding what is needed both in terms of commerciality and design statement."
“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."
“TYC has a good appreciation of retail trends and consumer trends worldwide. If you had to put something at the heart of what they produce, it’s customer experience!"
“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. "
“We chose TYC as they bring a unique approach as its their designers who create and execute the research, instead of 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."
“TYC have a very clear view of the purchase attitude of the customers travelling on board Thalys trains. In the frame of our tender, they came up with a very original marketing concept which helped us to promote our tender. "
“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."
“TYC brings a new dimension to the phrase 'think outside the box'; they have been an extremely effective catalyst in our creative process. TYC has demonstrated that they are devoted to our vision and working with them has been an absolute pleasure."
“The creativity, the originality and the enthusiasm of The Yard Creative were very helpful, in launching our brands in the UK. Working with TYC proved to be a very positive experience and a constructive cooperation."
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.
