Design review | United Creatives

https://unitedcreatives.com/work/octo-architects

I first came across United Creatives whilst working at a practice in Manchester. As I joined the practice, they had been collaborating with United Creatives on a few projects to rebrand some of the public realm in certain key areas of the city. Their ideas focused on reinterpreting plain colour branding. One example I recall they suggested using brass floor etchings as a material representation of Manchester Metrolink yellow at a key city centre Metrolink stop. I found their approach very refreshing.

I worked with Creative Director, Chris Edmunds during my time at Hawkins Brown on a couple of more public realm infrastructure and transport projects and stayed in touch with him after my time at the practice had come to an end.

I set up Octopus Architects shortly after, borrowing is name from the obvious eight limbed mollusc. As you can imagine, the thinking was less from an interest in marine biology but more a frenzied rush to pick a snazzy name.

That snazzy name needed to embody the diverse projects aspired to attract and collaborative nature of our business working with a pool of trusted consultants such as engineers, planning consultants, interior designers, artists and local makers. For a while we worked in harmony and operated under an ethos we were happy with but with a brand identity we were never comfortable with.

We approached United Creatives in 2020 to help re-brand and establish a new brand identity that has written the first page in the next chapter of our growing practice - and we are very happy and proud of the work they have done.

Lekia Lebari-Orleans / Architect