Revolt describes itself as a global creative consultancy that is also a Purpose Consultancy, an Activist Agency and an Innovation Studio. They are a part of the Anthesis, a global sustainability consultancy.
During our studio visit, our cohort had the opportunity to speak with representatives from various teams at Revolt, including Shahina Ahmed, the Design Director; Jack Jones, a Mid-weight Designer; Will Reuben, a Senior Designer; and Mary Min, a Senior Strategist. They provided a comprehensive overview of their individual backgrounds, their design journeys, and the collaborative way of working at Revolt.
Revolt employs a speed prototyping approach and undertakes both campaign-led and branding-led projects. What stood out to me was that, despite having a fluid process where team members collaborate throughout the project, their roles are clearly defined:
- Strategy: Asks the big, broad questions and explores overarching themes and ideas.
- Creative: Oversees the concept that needs to be executed.
- Design: Manages the execution of the concept.
- In addition to these primary roles, they also have teams focused on Edit & Motion, Production, Client Services, and Operations.
One strategy that particularly caught my attention was the practice of ‘setting up territories’ to present to the client. This approach clarifies the direction early in the process and sets the tone, helping to eliminate confusion when the design work begins. I realized that while I do have a strategy for my approach, it usually lacks the diversity seen in Revolt’s methodology, which ranges from straightforward solutions to more unconventional ones. This helps ensure a clear understanding of what the client is looking for.
Revolt also publishes the ‘Poking the Bear Report,’ which explores how brands can drive positive change by taking bold, values-led stances on social and environmental issues, even if doing so invites controversy. They are currently working on the ‘Hugging the Bear Report.’
5 Top Tips by Revolt to pitch ourselves as creatives:
- Telling a Story: How does your story show in your work?
- Keeping things short: Know how to introduce yourself in short
- Showcase your personality: Maybe it’s just a bit of a flair on your website
- What is your opinion: What’s your passion?
- Showcase your skills: Don’t just focus on the output, but also think about the journey
I have been thinking about how to create work that is both impactful and enjoyable, and their approach, which balances fun with significance, aligns closely with my own. I asked a question about how to maintain a playful and creative branding approach while still addressing serious issues. They suggested that it involves regularly seeking feedback and having open conversations with those directly affected by the issues.
Links:
- The Arena
- Creative Boom
- Barn
- Arts Emergency
- Creative Mentor Network
- LIFT (Leading Inclusive Futures through Technology)