We are The Design Laboratory.
We are a cross-disciplinary design studio based in London.
We partner with visionary leaders to create brands, products, services and experiences that engage people and deliver results. We also work with founders and investors in innovative startups to help them realise their potential and turn their vision into reality.
We tell stories through design.
Creating a narrative that feeds our creative direction is at the core of our agile, design driven methodology. Curiosity, collaboration and a user-centred approach are at the heart of what we do. Our strength relies on our cross-disciplinary approach to client briefs.
This is us.
Originally set up in Central Saint Martins, where our founders continue to be fellows and mentors, we take pride in connecting leaders of industry with the most radical design thinking around. Our team is a talented group of graphic, digital, fashion and product designers whose creations challenge the norm.
Who we've worked with.
Over the last 15 years we have worked with a great diverse range of clients, including some of the world’s most influential brands, to define and create solutions that have a long-lasting impact.
What our clients say.
“DL proved to be a vital partner in the success of launching VF Axtell Soho, by merging disruptive design thinking with category business insights and appreciation for our sense of urgency.”
Jan Van Mossevelde
Vice President Strategy - VF EMEA
“The Design Laboratory directed and delivered the Art Collection for us. They were instrumental in strategically defining our need and created a unique brand partnership with MTart. They briefed, managed and inspired the artists to create a series of artworks that were aligned with method and its costumer's values.
The outcome not only generated one of our strongest limited edition range but also achieved a high level of sale. The Design Laboratory is highly creative, professional and an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Anna Simon
Brand Director - METHOD UK
“Working with Yann, Boris and the team at The Design Laboratory has been a great experience for us at The Narrative. From the passion and enthusiasm to get involved beyond surface level design, to the dedicated professionalism and high spec delivery, we always felt like we were in great hands.
On three occasions now we have come to The Design Laboratory with unique asks that go beyond a simple design brief. The fact they took the time to understand our product, culture and business meant it became a very collaborative process. Their process was clear and thorough, not to mention competitively priced especially when you consider the level of experienced design talent (CSM fellows & lecturers) - you don’t get much more experienced than that!
They felt like extension of our team, offering support over and above expectations with quick responses and leaning in to new design related issues. A huge part of our business especially at launch when the design vision is so important.”
Nick Hayward
CEO - THE NARRATIVE
"Yann, Boris and the team are are absolutely brilliant at what they do, bringing a combination of experience, expertise, vision, passion and enthusiasm to their design work. Based on their very obvious capabilities, we were keen to bring them in to our community and we liked their work so much, we hired them to work on several Tileyard design projects. The guys are an absolute joy to work with and we very much hope that this becomes a long-term relationship!”
Nick Keynes
Managing Director - TILEYARD
“Working with The Design Laboratory has exceeded all our expectations and they have truly felt like an extension of our team. They are expert storytellers who will meet your mission and purpose with a deep understanding and express it in design choices that will make your brand look and feel authentic, bold and memorable.
They are an absolute delight to work with, and their knowledge of packaging design in the drinks industry has been invaluable to us too. If you are looking for a design partner who needs to bring design expertise, visual excellence, intellectual rigour and heart to your project, look no further than The Design Laboratory."
Eva Liparova
Co-Founder - ANIMAL SPIRITS
“It has been a pleasure working with The Design Laboratory! J'ai rarement eu a faire a une agence aussi souple, agréable. motivée, et compréhensive per rapport a nos exigences internes. Réactivité des échanges, créativité de l'équipe...
The Design Laboratory has it all.”
Gwennaelle Ruais
Communication & Content Manager - RÉMY COINTREAU
“At Zinc, we have been working with Yann, Boris and the team at The Design Laboratory from the inception of the company. They helped us with developing our brand identity, creating our visual identity and supported building our online presence and website.
Furthermore, Yann and Boris have both been one of our most active fellows, working very closely with the entrepreneurs on our programmes, through weekly office hours to help advice on product, strategy, creativity and design, supporting the next wave of creative innovators.
They have a unique passion for creativity and innovation, coupled with strong motivation to make a positive impact through their work, products and relationships.
I personally have worked with them even before Zinc, as a Global Strategy Director in a media agency, where Yann and Boris advised us on innovation trends, consumer insights, and creativity. They are more than a vendor or supplier, they are a real partner."
Ella Goldner
Co-Founder Managing Director - ZINC
“Working with The Design Laboratory has been great synergy. It is fortuitous that they have been fans of Two Tribes and we met them at our tap room. Working with The Design Laboratory enables myself and Leo to still come up with the creative, but use The Design Laboratory to refine and sometimes discipline us when we can go down a creative rabbit hole!
We approached Boris and Yann for feedback on the ideas for upgrading our existing branding as they have a wealth of experience in this field. Having just won a listing with a UK wide supermarket we wanted to make sure that the Two Tribes brand had optimum visibility on the shelves and to make sure the brand was stand out.
The Design Laboratory refined our ideas and elevated the branding to another level of design. It has been a true creative collaboration and working with Design Lab is a great addition to the Two Tribes vision – more projects with them are now in the mix – watch this space!”
Justin Deighton
Founder - TWO TRIBES
“Working with The Design Laboratory is like working with an extension of your own team. They integrated seamlessly with our methods and process, allowing us to deliver a smooth and positive experience to our clients with new capabilities we would not have had on our own.
The quality and speed of the visual prototyping was very impressive and were created collaboratively with a positive attitude throughout. This is something that has been reflected in the feedback by our clients, such as NEST and GSK.”
Ali Azeem
Associate Partner - IPSOS STRATEGY
"We are advisors on Impact Investing and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) in Africa and Asia.
The Design Laboratory team listened to our story and really understood our vision as entrepreneurs in a space not easily understood. Then they dug deeper and pulled out insights we had missed in the telling of our story and the change we wish to bring to the space of investing for good.
We loved working with the team. They are smart, professional, warm and care deeply for the outcome. They delivered a branding solution which exceeded our expectations. Something that feels like home but pushed our comfort levels. Our clients love our branding.
The Design Laboratory was not the first design team we contacted. They came highly recommended by another of their clients. After speaking with other teams, we were unanimous on the choice. We appreciate their ongoing support and belief in what we as Aequalitas Capital Partners stands for."
Geetha Tharmaratnam
CEO & Founding Partner - AEQUALITAS
Accreditations & Recognition.
Top London Design Company 2023 & Top 1,000 Global companies 2023
Designrush accredited agency 2021.
