Building a creative studio from scratch.
Create Agency @ BoomsatsumaProviding vision, structure and leadership for a graduate-led agency delivering live client work. Preparing and launching the agency, and growing its client base to create a sustainable model.
The problemA creative education organisation wanted graduates to leave with genuine industry experience, but needed a structure, identity and creative vision to make that ambition a sustainable reality.
The possibilityThe goal wasn't simply to simulate agency life; it was to create it. By establishing a professional creative studio within the education programme, students could gain confidence, credibility and commercial experience through live client work.
Ongoing creative thinking, direction, makingAs Independent Creative Director, I shaped the vision, strategy and operating model for Create Studio, developing its identity while mentoring emerging creatives. I secured clients including Sirona Health (NHS), Young Carers and Bath Spa University, overseeing creative quality, client relationships and project delivery.
The impactCreate Studio launched successfully, with a sustainable client pipeline, providing students with meaningful commercial experience and establishing a model for future graduate-led studios. As a result, Creative Studio is doubling in size to 25 people.
"Toby brought clarity to the vision, provided an effective working model, and led the studio with calm, thoughtful creativity. Drawing on decades of experience, he is generous, perceptive, and easy to work with; he gave both our clients and our emerging team the confidence to do their best work. As a result, we are planning to double the size of our studio. "
Elliot Lamb. Projects and Business Development Manager. Boomsatsuma
