{"id":15564,"date":"2025-10-24T16:29:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T09:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/design-leader-studio-blackburns-paul-blackburn\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T16:29:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T09:29:27","slug":"design-leader-studio-blackburns-paul-blackburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/design-leader-studio-blackburns-paul-blackburn\/","title":{"rendered":"design\/leader: Studio Blackburn\u2019s Paul Blackburn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paul Blackburn is founder and creative lead of Studio Blackburn<\/a>. The London-based brand agency has worked for the likes of Toyota, Sky and Brompton Bikes.<\/p>\n

Design<\/h4>\n
What would your monograph be called?<\/h5>\n

The man who knew enough.<\/em> I met a filmmaker on holiday a few years ago, and after chatting for a couple of days about life and the universe she subsequently contacted me to suggest making a film about me called that.<\/p>\n

I think it was meant to be complimentary, but it\u2019s just nicely ambiguous enough for me not to be entirely sure. I still like it though, so make of it what you will.<\/p>\n

What recent design work made you a bit jealous?<\/h5>\n

None. I really try not to be jealous of any other work anymore; I just focus on our work at Studio Blackburn.<\/p>\n

That said, I do often find myself jealous of the work my own team produces. They\u2019ve got an abundance of talent at their fingertips which constantly surpasses what I\u2019m able to imagine.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s an unusual place you get inspiration from?<\/h5>\n

I don\u2019t know how unusual this is, but for me it\u2019s definitely \u201cin the sauna.\u201d If I\u2019m able to do a gym session followed by a long sauna \u2013 preferably three, seven-minute sessions with a cold shower in between \u2013 I find that it completely clears all the detritus in my brain ,and allows me to focus on one creative problem at a time.<\/p>\n

I always solve something in the sauna.<\/p>\n

Name something that is brilliantly designed, but overlooked.<\/h5>\n

The British BS 1363 three pin plug. It\u2019s so much better than any other plug in the world. I have to thank an old colleague, Peter Knapp, for pointing this out to me.<\/p>\n

What object in your studio best sums up your taste?<\/h5>\n

David Mellor\u2019s Minimal cutlery<\/em>. I really love David Mellor, and this cutlery in particular. It\u2019s so chunky that you never forget it\u2019s in your hands. It\u2019s basic, almost primeval.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always been fascinated by how little you can take away from a volume before you get to something recognisable.<\/p>\n

David Mellor\u2019s Minimal cutlery<\/p>\n

Leadership<\/h4>\n
What feedback felt brutal at the time, but turned out to be useful?<\/h5>\n

Ha! Well, I was heckled by Zaha Hadid as I presented the new brand identity to her entire company, Zaha Hadid Architects, so beat that for brutal feedback.<\/p>\n

As I began the first slide, in front of a full auditorium, she came in, sat in the front row and scowled at me. I could hear her muttering throughout, and at one point she interrupted to tell me how much she hated what we\u2019d done. As I wrapped up, she told me that I\u2019d be hearing from her lawyers the following week.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s actually become something of a superpower. I\u2019ve been brutally heckled by Zaha Hadid and lived to tell the story \u2013 no client meeting could ever be that bad.<\/p>\n

Later, a friend of hers confided that she was always harshest with those she respected. I never did hear from the lawyers, and the identity is still in full use today.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s an underappreciated skill that design leaders need?<\/h5>\n

A skill that I\u2019ve worked on over the years is to trust the designers who work here. This often involves acknowledging that what they\u2019ve created, or what they\u2019re proposing, is way better than I could have done myself.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a wonderful thing to see, and of course it\u2019s exactly what we require in order for the company to remain healthy.<\/p>\n

Self-deprecation and humour have enabled me to get over myself and not take offence when someone much younger and less-experienced tells me to trust them.<\/p>\n

What keeps you up at night?<\/h5>\n

The company running out of money is my main worry. We try and do the most creative commercial work, the \u201cbest graphic design in the world\u201d as I put it, and we try to pay our staff accordingly. We don\u2019t expect them to take \u201cboutique agency\u201d rates.<\/p>\n

What trait is non-negotiable in new hires?<\/h5>\n

Resourcefulness and signs of maturity.<\/p>\n

Both of those traits manifest differently from person to person. But if we get a sense that someone is showing signs of both, we know we\u2019re onto someone who \u2013 at some point in the future \u2013 we\u2019re going to have to work hard to keep. Which is the challenge we want.<\/p>\n

Complete this sentence, \u201cI wish more clients\u2026\u201d<\/h5>\n

\u2026would commission us directly instead of asking us to free pitch. Commission, brief, strap in and enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n

\nWhat to read next: <\/strong>design\/leader: Liberty London\u2019s Mary-Ann Dunkley<\/a> | Studio Blackburn\u2019s new identity for Nopinz cycling puts performance first<\/a> | The Design Week jobs board is back<\/a> | Justified Studio\u2019s La Sovrana rebrand leans into personality and place<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Paul Blackburn is founder and creative lead of Studio Blackburn. The London-based brand agency has worked for the likes of Toyota, Sky and Brompton Bikes. Design What would your monograph be called? 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