In essence, Studio Makgill has the same philosophy now as it did when I (Hamish) started it – and that’s to create beautifully simple work. We have a detail-focused approach to design which often feels like the path of most resistance, so it’s really key for me to have a team that truly understands that ethos.

We specialise in designing for small to medium-sized brands. Depending on the needs of the client, this could include anything from the brand strategy and identity, website, exhibitions and interiors to art direction, ad campaigns and books. We also occasionally work on self-initiated projects alongside our other jobs that form part of a larger creative body of work for our clients. We are in a fortunate position where we are proud of virtually everything we produce.

When a new project comes in I like as many people to work on it as possible. The feasibility of this is based on other commitments and workloads within the studio, but it always feels like a good way to start. As the project develops and a solution is chosen, the designer of that route often becomes the lead designer of the project.

One of our clients is H Furniture, who we recently worked with on a limited edition of their WW Chair – one of H’s best selling pieces. Whilst the creative process felt similar to many aspects of our other projects, it was really interesting and refreshing to work outside of the traditional client and agency model. We don’t see this as a new direction for the studio, but our ability to diversify and work across print, digital and physical spaces is something that we always want to be a part of Studio Makgill.

Finding the right fit for the studio is really hard. I look for personality, skill and enthusiasm. When you get the mix right, it has a hugely positive effect on the studio. Our team is normally five or six people: Ollie, our design director, our designers Laura and James, project manager Roxy and me – creative director, MD, FD, HR (I have a lot of hats). We are quite traditional in our structure but so far it has served us well.

Being a small team, everyone has to step out of their roles from time to time to help, and there’s a great attitude towards sharing responsibility for the studio’s output. We often find the need to regularly collaborate with other creatives, and most projects will involve conversations with photographers, illustrators, copywriters, developers, artworkers, exhibition fabricators and signage companies – the list goes on. We’ll go through phases of using freelancers, but if we manage the projects well enough and keep on top of timings, we find that we can mostly do without. But having said that, sometimes it’s just really good to have them in the studio; the good ones always bring in a burst of creative energy.

Brighton’s lack of an industrial past leaves us short on the good, cheap, warehouse-like spaces that you find in East London. Most spaces in Brighton are either tiny or just very characterless. Our studio is a really good-looking conversion of an old garage situated right in the North Laines area. There’s lots of light and it’s a really quiet street.

It’s a great area to be in, and there are plenty of places to eat and drink. One of the benefits of being a small team is that we can fit around one table. We enjoy a team lunch and the occasional night out – either to celebrate a job won, a job well done, a farewell or a hello. Or just because we can.

All staff get the same holiday allocation of 22 days a year plus half a day on your birthday. We also like to do away days twice a year as a team. It’s quite a new initiative, but everyone takes their turn to curate a day. They’ve all been in London so far, but that doesn’t always need to be the case. Staff training is also on offer, but I like to let them decide if that’s something they want or need and let them approach me with a proposal rather than enforcing it upon them.

The most important thing for me is making sure that we all have a good work-life balance. It’s so easy to over commit in this industry and take too much on. I think you get much more from everyone if they feel that they can go home at a reasonable time most days. Living in Brighton is often a lifestyle decision, and it’s important to recognise that.