ManvsMachine
ManvsMachine is a design and direction company with studios in London and Los Angeles.
Working predominantly in moving image, the team creates future-focused content and communications for some of the world’s biggest brands. This has included designing identity systems for Channel 4 and ITV, animating chickens for a KFC commercial and directing footballers Mbappe, Neymar and Ronaldo for a Nike campaign.
ManvsMachine’s work has been recognised with numerous awards, including a much-coveted D&AD Black Pencil, multiple Cannes Gold Lions and, most recently, a couple of Emmys.
Based
London
Additional locations
Los Angeles
Founded
2007
Company Size
21-99
Office Hours
9:30am–6:30pm
Specialism
Moving Image Design
Jobs and Opportunities
Work for Purple: Evolution of Sleep
Work for Nike: Born Mercurial
Work for Spotify: Listening is Everything
Work for Squarespace: Make It Real
Work for Bang & Olufsen: Exist to Create
Work for Lexus: Hybrid Logic
Work for Nike: Air Max
Work for Fender: Acoustasonic Jazzmaster
Work for ESPN: NFL
Inside the Company
ManvsMachine was founded in East London in 2007 by Mike Alderson and Tim Swift with the intention of punching above its weight from day one.
Since then the team has grown and evolved organically, with a focus on quality over quantity. Maintaining a balance of creative and technical artists, they refer to themselves as both ‘thinkers who make’ and ‘makers who think’.
In 2016 ManvsMachine expanded to the US, opening a second studio in Los Angeles, where they continue to grow the team with the same principles as their London HQ.
The ManvsMachine studios
Mission and Values
ManvsMachine’s ethos is reflected in its name. Equal importance is placed on ideas and execution. Rather than sell an idea and then work out how to make it later, the preference is to present clients with the full picture, often leading with technique to inform the creative.
The two studios embrace a collaborative and integrated workflow. Designers, directors, visual effects artists and producers work alongside one another, rather than a departmentalised structure.
The team are described as ‘thinkers who make’ and ‘makers who think’
Culture and Benefits
On a company level, ManvsMachine is now affiliated with the Landor & Fitch group (within WPP), which entitles all employees to short and long-term benefit packages.
Culturally, ManvsMachine prides itself on giving every member of the team a voice to influence the conceptual development of a project, regardless of age, experience or specialism. And after 14 years, the studio still thrives on a collective optimism, hunger and determination.
Entry-Level Opportunities
ManvsMachine sources up-and-coming designers, mentoring them and nurturing world-class talent.
For many years now, the studio has run an internship scheme that takes on individuals from around the world and educates them in moving-image design. People often join ManvsMachine with little to no skills in certain areas of design that they cover. The aim is to push creatives out of their comfort zone and apply their skills in areas that are new to them.
Alongside the mentoring programme, employees give back to the creative community’s future talent by running workshops, giving lectures and frequently reviewing portfolios.