We are privileged to be part of this journey, with all these companies created or led by the talented alumni of our Design Leaders programme 2024, who prove that design can drive growth, help outperform competitors and build better products and a better world.
Space Between is a Melbourne-based creative studio. With roots in graphic design, it also focuses on art direction, industrial design, digital projects, and spatial solutions. Over 14 years, they've partnered with the top names like Nike, Patagonia, Converse and Virgil Abloh/Off-White, helping with everything from retail activations to online campaigns. The studio also runs At The Above, a concept gallery blending fashion, art and design, offering unique, curated experiences that push the boundaries of traditional creative spaces.
'The last year has been really amazing for our business. It's just given us the opportunity to really think about the business and put a lot of time into redesigning it. It's given me and my business partner that reflection moment, and helped us realign on what our vision for the future is.' – Tyson Stenglein, Co-Founder of Space Between.
Nuun Jewels is a luxury jewellery brand founded by Nourah Al Faisal, known for blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design. The brand creates elegant, timeless pieces using high-quality gemstones and intricate detailing. Drawing inspiration from culture, architecture, and nature, Nuun Jewels offers refined, artistic jewellery for women who value individuality. Based in Paris, its boutique in Place Vendôme showcases its position in the world of high-end luxury.
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) is a government organisation focused on shaping Dubai’s future through innovation and technology. It builds a cohesive innovation ecosystem that includes, accelerator programs, incubators, labs, regulatory sandboxes, and knowledge platforms – all with the purpose of challenging the status quo and designing a future-ready city powered by future leaders and disrupters. Their aim is to make Dubai one of the world’s foremost future cities.
She/Crea is a platform which empowers women to know themselves, transform their lives, connect, and shape a brighter world. Through interactive exercises, personalised journeys, and visual tools, women are guided to unlock their potential, define their path, and create a life that radiates freedom, joy, and purpose.
The League is a social impact collective which uses culture to awaken and activate people’s power to address the urgent challenges facing our world today. They are a team of culture changers: strategists, organisers, storytellers, advocates, idea amplifiers, creators, analysts, digital pros, and pollinators across Hollywood, brands and social movements. They create stories that help people imagine an America rooted in justice, equity, and abundance, and they design and execute strategies to achieve it.
Aesthetic Alchemists Design Studio is a bespoke trends and design consultancy based in Dubai, specialising in fashion, lifestyle and branding. The studio uses a combination of data science, market insights, global trends and artificial intelligence to create tailored creative solutions that align with business goals and brand values. Their approach focuses on inspiring creative thinking and driving business growth through innovative design strategies.
'As of April of this year, I've launched my own creative consultancy called the Aesthetic Alchemist Design Studio, which is really about amplifying creative voices, as well as working with creative industries to really help them in the fashion as well as the retail sector. This has been a year of absolute transformation and really knowing who I am as a design leader. And I think the influences that I've had have shaped me into who I am today.' – Ankur Srivastava, Co-Founder of Aesthetic Alchemists Design Studio.
ECCO.Kollektive is a new brand from ECCO that offers a radically different approach to creating luxury fashion, interiors and homeware. This brand challenges the traditional relationships among manufacturers, designers and customers. ECCO.Kollektive serves as a platform for creative exchange between design leaders, connecting them through excellence in materials and leather innovation. By collaborating with one of the world's most innovative leather tanneries, they foster designers' creativity and encourage exploration. Each collection is carefully curated into a focused selection of key pieces, with every item crafted from the same high-quality material.
EXP is a global engineering and consulting firm that delivers innovative solutions to the world’s built and natural environments. The company provides a wide range of services, including engineering, architecture, design, and environmental consulting, across multiple sectors. With a focus on sustainability and cutting-edge technology, EXP helps clients tackle complex challenges by designing and managing large-scale projects that enhance communities and improve quality of life.
Wavemaker is a global media agency that focuses on integrating media, content, and technology to drive business growth for its clients. The agency works with leading global brands to provide strategic innovation and marketing solutions, blending creativity with cutting-edge technology to create effective advertising campaigns. Their services cover digital transformation, media strategy, and applying advanced technology to improve customer experiences.
'I picked Design Leaders programme because I wanted to learn from people who had great stories or who would put their learnings into practice so I could see real examples. And I think after each module, we were really able to do that. Being able to have this sprint based program and at the end of each sptint, take those learnings and then apply them to what I'm doing, whether it's finance, operations, design leadership was very helpful.' – Sarah Salter, Global Head of Applied Innovation at Wavemaker.
BeStudio is a Saudi-based creative agency specialising in branding and design. It has earned recognition for shaping branding in the Middle East with innovative and trend-driven approaches. The company offers brand strategy, visual identity, advertising, UI/UX design and motion graphics. BeStudio works with both local and international clients across various industries, focusing on creating impactful and contemporary branding solutions. The agency emphasises integrating modern methodologies and technologies into brand activations and experiences.
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