The trust that fuels our Studio’s culture.
In any business, trust is the glue that binds people, teams, and ideas together. But how is that trust built? We sat down to have a conversation with four members of our team who reflect this dynamic, discussing how our Studio culture of mentorship and trust fosters personal growth and strengthens collaboration.
Meet Lotte, our Senior Brand Designer, Beth, our Marketing Strategist, and former interns Laura and Emma, who now play key roles on the brand and marketing teams.
Lauren: So, can you all tell us about how your work relationships began and the role of trust?
Lotte: When I started working with Laura, the goal was to help her understand not just the what of our work, but the why. It was about building trust by giving context, going beyond personal preference to justify why certain choices matter and how work fits into the bigger picture.
Laura: Yeah and that guidance was invaluable. I trusted Lotte and Will because they didn’t just give feedback, but they explained the reasoning behind it. That made me confident in justifying the work and comfortable enough to bring forward different ideas, knowing that I could trust the senior members to offer guidance.
Beth: I felt the same with Emma in the sense that it wasn’t just about assigning tasks, but about opening the door for curiosity. From day one, I made it clear that questions were welcome and that mistakes were opportunities. That’s how trust grows, when someone knows they can bring ideas forward without fear.
Emma: For me, it was the little things. Beth, Stephanie and Hattie would all check in when reviewing work and ask me what I thought, first. My opinions and perspective mattered and I felt I wasn’t just an intern ticking off tasks, but someone who could actively contribute. That openness and trust in me worked both ways and set the tone for collaboration.
Lauren: Let’s talk more about the collaborative aspect. Can you all think of any instance where collaboration between brand and marketing really showed how trust plays out across teams?
Lotte: To be honest, there are loads. Nearly every project is an example of that. When marketing take on a brand we’ve worked with, their whole project is about translating a very particular story into a broad campaign. Normally, brand wants to protect that vision, but we have to trust marketing to take that on and adapt it.
Beth: And the only reason it works is because we trust the brand team’s direction. I know that they would never hand over something half-baked. The foundations and guidelines they give us are always solid, and when brand reviews our work, we trust them to guide us and spot anything that could be improved. And it’s this environment that lets us experiment and push boundaries, knowing that brand’s got our backs.
Laura: For me, having Lotte’s trust has given me the confidence to collaborate more openly with marketing on my own. I can actually brainstorm and build alongside another team, while trusting them to guide us when needed. It’s also knowing that they trust me and have confidence in my skills.
Emma: The support from everyone is priceless. I remember one moment when I hit a wall with messaging, and I wasn’t sure how to balance creative flair with the brand’s voice. Beth reminded me to lean on the brand team, that they’re our partners. That reassurance made me more willing to cross over, ask for input, and ultimately deliver something stronger.
Lauren: Emma and Laura, can you tell us what it’s like now you’re full-time?
Laura: I definitely catch myself echoing Lotte. When a new intern asks a question, I don’t just give an answer, but actually explain why.
Emma: Same here. I’m still early in my career, but I already think about how I can create the same safe space I had. It’s not about having all the answers, but about showing someone you’ve got their back.
Lotte: And watching them grow into peers is so rewarding. They bring fresh energy, but they also understand our culture. That continuity makes all our projects smoother because they already speak the same language.
Beth: Exactly. They’ve lived the trust-building process from day one, and that makes them natural bridges between teams.
Lauren: Ok and lastly, in one word, what does a culture of trust mean for our studio’s future?
Lotte: Consistency.
Beth: Momentum.
Laura: Courage.
Emma: Collaboration.
So there we have it. Trust isn’t a checklist, it’s a culture. It’s built in mentorship, tested during projects, and carried forward when interns become peers and, eventually, mentors themselves. Trust makes individuals stronger, teams more connected, and our Studio more resilient.
