The Spark: Joy Nazzari on Fish and Chips, Street Art Dreams and Friday Studio Nostalgia

Joy Nazzari of DNCO is back for The Spark, and this time we're keeping things short, sharp and delightfully unhinged. In this bonus episode, she opens up about the creative hill she'll die on, the medium she secretly wishes she could master, and the project that left her thinking, oh god… this is huge. There's talk of graffiti, guilty pleasures, strange compliments in Japan, and the emoji she overuses so much it's basically become her personal brand. We also discover what's sitting at the top of her camera roll this week and why it made her heart burst. Along the way, Joy and Katy veer into fish-and-chip politics, studio nostalgia, and the odd ways creative leaders get themselves into the right headspace before big moments. And to wrap things up, Joy poses a brilliant question for next week's guest, Chris Wilson — one that might reveal how he gets himself fired up, calm, or somewhere in between.

DNCO just turned 20, and founder Joy Nazzari is not done yet. In this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Joy joins Katy to talk honestly about building a place brand studio from two slightly rebellious thirty-somethings with no clients, to a 33-strong team working on cities and even a whole US state. Joy shares why she and co-founder Ben walked out of permanent jobs with nothing lined up, how "never doing shit work" became a founding principle, and why saying no early on shaped the kind of clients they attract today. She also opens up about buying Ben out, staying friends, and why founders should be allowed to leave without drama. The conversation delves into the realities of running a studio after the pandemic. Joy talks about the economics no one wants to touch publicly. Productivity, hybrid working, the way slowed pace quietly kills profit, and why getting people in a room together still matters more than anyone wants to admit. She also reflects on what it means to be a tall American non-designer leading a London agency, the label "female-founded", and how it lands in different rooms, including very male, sports-led organisations. There is an honest chat about ageing as a woman in a visual industry, being "an older woman" in the room, and the subtle ways respect and perception can shift. We get into family, identity and what really keeps her going. Joy talks candidly about growing up in California with a father whose career was destroyed by alcoholism, how that experience turned financial security into a core driver, and why she has built a career around helping people feel like they belong in places. Katy and Joy also compare notes on menopause, confidence, video, and the strange process of becoming more visible just as your face starts to change. They talk about raising children, how different generations see work and politics, why debate and nuance matter, and how to keep reading beyond your own bubble. Towards the end, Joy shares the advice she would give her 30-year-old self. Chill out and don't overreact. Delegate sooner. Let designers hear clients unfiltered. Guard relationships and stay in touch with people who back your work. Underneath it all, she admits that for all the big ideas about cities, identity and belonging, the real engine has always been simple: keep the people you love safe and secure, and keep your brain switched on for as long as you can. A big, honest chat about work, power, ageing, politics, money, motherhood and why many of us build studios in the first place.

We're back with the wonderful Matt Baxter of Baxter & Bailey for The Spark, our fun bonus episode with each week's guest. We talk about orange hats, forgotten skills, and the power of liking what you do. There's nostalgia, karaoke, and a bit of Play-Doh. Matt shares what he wishes he were good at, how he handles creative jealousy, and a few stories that reveal the lighter side of life. There's even an asteroid question and a brilliant one for our next guest. Light, funny and perfectly human, it's the ideal post-pod companion.

Designer, writer and hat connoisseur Matt Baxter of Baxter & Bailey joins us on The Creative Boom Podcast this week to talk about imperfection, community, and the creative life. Matt's been in the game for three decades – from Trickett & Webb and 300million to co-founding his Brighton studio with Dom Bailey in 2012. Since then, they've built thoughtful, human brands for Oxford University Press, The Body Shop, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Mail and the BBC. But it's his side project, The Design Laundry, that really caught my eye. It's a gloriously honest archive of our industry's mishaps – typos, rogue emails, pitch disasters – and the lessons that come from them. We talk about growing up in Burnley, moving south, why pondering still matters, and how to keep a studio human when speed rules everything. We also get into Brighton's creative scene, building community, and why staying off Instagram helps with creative jealousy. It's warm, funny and refreshingly honest... with bonus seagulls.

In this bonus episode, Pum Lefebure of Design Army opens the studio door and lets us peek at the small rituals that keep her sharp, the mindset that replaces work–life "balance", and the travel habits that refill her creative well. We talk about fear, firsts, and learning new tools the hard way. She shares the single phrase a client used to define Design Army's signature. It's a good one. There's scent, style, and a guilty pleasure that might surprise you. We finish with Pum's question for our next guest. A big what-would-you-do that you'll be answering in your head before the credits roll.

Pum Lefebure is the cofounder and chief creative officer of Design Army, the award-winning Washington DC studio behind bold campaigns for clients like The Washington Ballet, Bloomingdale's, and Hong Kong Ballet. Known for her clarity of vision, Pum set her sights on fashion, performing arts, and culture from the very beginning, building a portfolio that attracted exactly the clients she wanted. In this conversation, Pum shares how she and her husband Jake turned a yard sale poster into their first break, why every project is a calling card, and how choosing clients with intent can shape the future of your career. We talk about the balance between paid work and passion projects, what it really takes to build a studio with grit and perseverance, and why leadership means being a coach, a cheerleader, and sometimes a plumber. Pum also reflects on staying relevant in an industry shifting at lightning speed, how AI and social media are changing client expectations, and why authenticity and craft still matter more than ever. This conversation is about courage, focus, and carving your own path – and it's packed with practical wisdom for anyone dreaming of their own creative career.

Jeff Staple is back for The Spark – our quickfire after-hours chat where we dig beneath the surface and have a little fun. In this shorter episode, Jeff opens up about the small rituals that keep him grounded, how to turn jealousy into fuel, and why getting sunlight on your face at 6 a.m. can change your whole day. We talk about his inner critic (which sounds suspiciously like his mum), the smell of childhood baseball gloves, and why Bruce Lee remains his creative hero. There's talk of UFOs, the perfect typeface, and what he'd say if he ever met an alien. It's curious, funny, and full of unexpected wisdom... the perfect companion to Monday's deeper dive. Tune in, share it with a friend, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a moment of The Spark.

Jeff Staple is a designer, brand strategist and cultural icon who helped turn sneaker culture into a global movement. In this conversation, he opens up about growing up as an only child in New Jersey, how loneliness built his imagination, and how two near-death experiences changed the way he looks at risk, success and creativity. We talk about the making of Nike's Pigeon Dunk, the sneaker that sparked a riot in New York and put Jeff on the map, and what it's like to live with both the blessing and the curse of being known for one career-defining hit. He shares how he turned brands like Brooks, Crocs and Cole Haan into unexpected lifestyle favourites, what he's learned about launching his own creative agency in a competitive industry. It's a rich, funny and surprisingly human conversation about resilience, reinvention and what it really means to stay cool in a world that loves to label you. Expect plenty of sneaker stories, a little philosophy and the reminder that, whatever mountain you're on, this too shall pass.

In this episode of The Spark, Katy welcomes back Ashley Johnson, Head of Brand Narrative at Pentagram in London, for a playful, after-hours chat that reveals a more mischievous side to the celebrated writer and strategist. After their in-depth Creative Boom interview, this follow-up is all about quick-fire questions, impulsive stories and surprising confessions that shine a light on the person behind the craft. Ashley reflects on the moments that keep her on her toes, shares a travel tale that takes an unexpected turn, and drops a few wonderfully awkward nuggets from her younger years. There are laughs, a touch of vulnerability, and plenty of sharp insights about creativity, communication and the quiet power of words. It's warm, witty and just a little unpredictable—the perfect companion piece to her main interview, and a reminder that the best sparks come when you loosen the rules and let the conversation roam

n this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Katy chats with Ashley Johnson, Head of Brand Narrative at Pentagram in London, about the winding path that took her from Canadian TV journalism to one of the world's most respected design studios. Ashley shares how early experiences with online harassment pushed her out of the newsroom, why she calls her career "squiggly", and how she discovered a love for shaping brand stories that are as strategic as they are creative. Ashley explains how great design and great copy are two languages expressing the same powerful idea, and why the best words are often the simplest. She talks about creating a "source code" for clients—a clear, truthful narrative that defines what they stand for before anything goes public. Along the way, she reflects on feminist leadership, the quiet sexism still present in the industry, and the importance of psychological safety in allowing creative teams to take risks and be brave. This is a warm, funny, and deeply honest conversation about finding your voice, redefining success, and holding your nerve in a world that often rewards style over substance. Whether you're a writer, designer, or anyone navigating a creative career, Ashley's insights on storytelling, authenticity, and quiet power will leave you feeling inspired and understood.