Root Studio, founded 17 years ago by three passionate friends, has grown from a small startup to a thriving design agency, with sustainability at its core.
In an interview with
Website Planet, Tom Bradley shares how the studio’s commitment to creating bespoke website designs and branding solutions has led to collaborations with major charities, corporations, and even celebrities. With a team of eight talented designers and developers, Root Studio blends creativity and structured methodology to deliver unique solutions tailored to each client.
Their dedication to environmental responsibility and high-quality work continues to shape the studio’s success and impact in the design world.
What inspired the founding of Root Studio, and how has the company evolved over the past 17 years?
Root Studio began with a mix of blind optimism, passion, and enthusiasm. We were 3 young friends who were eager to carve our own path and have a little fun along the way.
From the outset, we had a strong commitment to sustainability, positioning ourselves as an environmentally friendly design studio. We’re proud to say that ethos hasn’t wavered; in fact, we’ve remained carbon-neutral to this day. Over the years, the studio has grown from a solo operation into a thriving team of eight talented designers and developers. What started as small-scale projects with startups and local businesses has evolved into collaborations with renowned charities, multi-million-pound firms, and even a few celebrities and influencers along the way. It’s been quite a journey, and it’s still as exciting now as it was back then.
How do you approach creating bespoke website designs tailored to each client’s business and audience?
Every project starts with a blank slate. Of course, we have a well-honed process to guide us, but the heart of what we do lies in creating something completely tailored. It all begins with a detailed briefing session with the client to understand their vision, their audience, and the challenges they’re hoping to solve. From there, we dive into research: user empathy mapping, user journey mapping, SEO analysis, and keyword research.
On the design side, every element is crafted to reflect the unique needs of the client and their audience. From a development perspective, while we have a solid code base and house style for efficiency and consistency, there’s always a unique design puzzle to solve. That blend of structured methodology and creative problem-solving is what makes the process exciting – and ultimately delivers the best results.
Can you share a recent project that exemplifies your expertise in branding and logo design?
One recent project that stands out is the monogram we created for the School of Musical Instrument Craft (MIC). This piece highlights the craftsmanship and creativity we strive to bring to every branding project. The monogram cleverly integrates the acronym “MIC” in a heritage style, paying homage to the institution’s long-standing reputation in musical instrument making. Within the negative space, we embedded the shape of a violin body – a subtle, hidden detail that adds layers of meaning to the design.
For us, it’s not just about creating something that looks good; it’s about embedding significance and storytelling into the work. This kind of thoughtful design, where every detail serves a purpose, is what makes the job so rewarding.
What role does sustainability play in your operations, and how do you support environmental causes?
Sustainability is woven into the DNA of Root Studio. It’s not just a value – it’s a practice. From hosting websites on eco-friendly servers to working with carbon-balanced printers, we’ve embedded environmental responsibility into every aspect of our operations.
At the end of each year, we calculate our carbon footprint (a process we’ve streamlined with a trusty spreadsheet, slightly overestimated to be on the safe side) and offset our impact through a variety of environmental causes we care deeply about. These range from local initiatives to global efforts and are just a small way we can contribute to the bigger picture – something we take great pride in.
How do you ensure that your digital marketing strategies effectively translate a client’s marketing vision into reality?
It starts with clarity – both in understanding the client’s goals and in getting under the skin of their audience. We invest time in mapping out the customer’s journey: what tasks they need to complete, the questions they’re likely asking, and the values that guide their decisions.
Budget is another key consideration. We’re meticulous about ensuring that every penny is spent in the right places, selecting channels and formats that align with the brand, audience and campaign objectives. The result is strategies that are not only effective in terms of ROI but also deliver real value for our clients and their customers alike.
What are the key factors that contribute to your team’s ability to deliver high-quality creative design work consistently?
I’d say a reliable and talented team combined with a rigorous internal process. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a group of experienced individuals whose skills complement each other beautifully. Whether it’s illustration, branding, editorial design, animation, or hand-coded development, our team has the expertise to bring any project to life.
Behind the scenes, we operate a thorough critique and iteration process and each project undergoes rigorous refinement before it even reaches the client. It’s this commitment to excellence, as well as a shared passion for what we do, that allows us to deliver consistently outstanding results.
Find out more at:
www.rootstudio.co.uk
