15 Years of Studio17
Studio17 was born in March 2010. The name driven by the Studios original N17 location.
The studio quickly carved out its own space in the competitive world of design. For founders David Evans and Ashley May, the path to launching their own consultancy wasn’t easy - no startup’s journey ever is. But with the resilience and determination that defines every successful venture, Studio17’s early challenges were met with grit and passion.
David and Ashley’s professional backgrounds were a perfect match. With academic foundations in Industrial Design and Automotive Design, their complementary skill sets laid the groundwork for the consultancy’s ambitious future. Prior to founding Studio17, they worked together at Cannon Automotive, a respected name in the industry, and this partnership forged the foundation for their future successes.
Their early work, which included collaborations with the established design consultants Tullet Design, provided them with the necessary work and experience to get the company off the ground.
However, it was then their introduction to the Joseph brothers of Joseph Joseph that truly marked a turning point.
Initially approaching the brand with speculative design concepts, David and Ashley were quickly embraced by the company. Their first few products marked the brand’s entry into a new category: ‘Cleaning & Organisation.’ These initial items laid the foundation for what would become a long-lasting and successful collaboration.. Building on the success of these products, the ‘Extend’ dish rack was introduced and quickly became one of Joseph Joseph’s best-sellers. To date, Studio17 has developed over 60 products for the brand, and their ongoing collaboration with Joseph Joseph remains one of their proudest achievements.
The collaborative approach to product development that Joseph Joseph instils was the perfect environment for Studio17 to thrive, with the duo playing an integral role in the brand’s evolution from a small team to a globally recognised name.
In 2013, Studio17’s journey took a significant leap forward when they were introduced to ARCC by Edward Atkin, a visionary who had believed in David and Ashley’s potential from the start. Edward invited the consultancy to relocate to ARCC’s extraordinary facilities in the Cambridge countryside, a move that offered access to state-of-the-art resources and a stimulating environment for creativity. The ARCC campus is a rare gem - few design consultancies can boast such incredible facilities, and this opportunity provided Studio17 with the perfect environment to push their work further.
This relocation marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, with Studio17’s client base growing rapidly. The consultancy began working with prestigious brands like Fiskars and Urban Bar, as well as a host of promising startups. This diverse portfolio of projects allowed David and Ashley to continue honing their craft, while simultaneously expanding their reach across different industries.
Access to ARCC’s facilities also ignited a new ambition for Studio17: the creation of their own products. In 2017, NODE Audio was born – initially a passion project aimed at revolutionising loudspeaker design. Three years of dedicated development resulted in a groundbreaking speaker design that quickly garnered attention. With a deep love for audio and an expertise in additive manufacturing, Studio17 pushed the boundaries of what was possible. NODE Audio’s speakers have won numerous awards in the hi-fi press, establishing the brand as a significant player in the audio industry.
As NODE Audio continues to grow and evolve, Studio17 remains at the forefront of innovation, currently developing a range of new products for the brand.
Meanwhile, in 2021, David and Ashley turned their attention to another exciting venture: Hilo EV, a new startup in the micromobility space. In collaboration with a talented team led by Dr. Andy Palmer, Hilo set out to create a safer, more considered e-scooter design.
The concept vehicle was met with great enthusiasm in the micromobility sector, and the company has gone on to raise investment, allowing the studio’s design vision to create a fully functioning prototype vehicle.
Studio17’s role went beyond product design, contributing to the development of branding, website design, and more.
Today, Studio17’s influence spans across a wide range of industries, from household names like Joseph Joseph to cutting-edge startups in the tech and mobility sectors. The consultancy has gained invaluable experience working with globally recognized brands, developing in-house products, and helping startups gain investment and bring concepts to market.
As the business continues to thrive, they’ve recently welcomed Tom Harding, a talented young designer, to the team, with plans to grow further in the future.
Looking back on an exciting 15 years, David and Ashley feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such a diverse and impressive array of clients. Their consultancy has grown in scope and influence, offering them the chance to tackle a wide range of design challenges, from developing high-end consumer products to creating the future of transportation.
With a wealth of experience behind them and a future brimming with possibilities, Studio17 is ready for whatever comes next. The next chapter promises to be just as exciting, innovative, and full of potential as the one that has come before.