Studio Kiln on establishing a creative hub in Cornwall

While London has long been considered the epicentre of the UK's design industry, it seems like a quiet revolution is happening down by the southwest coast. Founded in May 2022 by designers Nathan Smith and Charlie Hocking, Studio Kiln has quickly gained recognition for its thoughtful approach to branding, motion, and digital design.

Unlike many other design businesses, it began not in a high-rise office in Shoreditch but in a small artist studio space in Penryn. "Charlie and I found ourselves renting desks in the same tiny space, working back-to-back," Smith recalls.

The creative duo quickly realised that they had a shared vision and that creating something together was the next step forward in their careers. For both Smith and Hocking, launching a studio in Cornwall was a deliberate choice.

"There wasn't a safety net," Smith explains. "With few other studios to fall back into if things didn't work out, we knew that if we wanted to do the work we loved, in a place we loved, we had to build it ourselves."

Thus, in May 2022, Kiln was born—a studio driven by a desire to create meaningful design work while proving that creativity can thrive outside traditional industry strongholds.

Overcoming the challenges of starting fresh

Like many independent studios, the early days of Kiln were marked by challenges. "Nathan and I had no experience working together, least of all running a business, so we were taking a big risk," Hocking admits. They spent their first few months digging themselves out of a financial hole and hurriedly building a website to showcase their work.

Despite the steep learning curve, their complementary skill sets became their greatest asset. They quickly realised they could get through a lot in a short space of time, delivering a huge amount of value to clients and their own business. Hocking says, "We've always put a lot of emphasis on the quality of the work, so we stuck to putting out projects we were proud of and continued to build awareness of the studio like that."

For Smith, the balancing act between creative ambition and business pragmatism was one of the most significant hurdles. "It felt like a real split in roles, constantly switching between the big-picture vision and the nitty-gritty details," he says.

However, this hands-on approach ultimately strengthened their strategy. "Testing our strategic ideas as we went meant we could quickly iron out any kinks and refine our approach in real-time," he adds.

Building a Creative Scene in Penryn

Cornwall has long been known for its artistic heritage, but Smith and Hocking saw the potential for something new, particularly in Penryn, a town with a growing creative community. "Over the last few years, Penryn has become a small extension of Falmouth due to its close proximity, lower property prices, and more dedicated workspaces," says Hocking.

Smith adds that the decision to stay in Cornwall was also about challenging industry norms. "The UK design industry is often heavily concentrated in London and other major cities, creating an imbalance where talent and opportunities are clustered in a few select areas," he explains. "We believe that different surroundings can spark new ideas and broaden our understanding of what contemporary design can be."

Studio Kiln also sees its presence in Cornwall as a way to encourage emerging talent to stay in the region. Hocking says: "Like many provincial university towns, Falmouth suffers from an exodus of talent every year.

"We hoped that by positioning ourselves close to the university, students could see that it was possible to build a career with a studio outside of London, too."

A defining project

While Kiln has worked on a range of projects across industries, one in particular helped put the studio on the map - their vibrant identity for the Royal Television Society x Channel 4.

"We loved that project for lots of reasons, but it's special for me because it's the one that Nathan and I worked on almost exclusively by ourselves," Hocking says. He believes that it really set the tone for how the studio wanted to approach design, motion, and identity.

Smith agrees that this project was a pivotal moment, saying: "It felt like the first living, breathing example of Kiln's thought process and acted as a beacon for all our new projects to come."

Designing across disciplines

Unlike some studios that focus on a single discipline, Studio Kiln embraces variety, working across branding, motion, and digital. This multidisciplinary approach is central to its philosophy. "We've always believed that our key purpose is to help others communicate, so the meaning our work holds is paramount," Smith explains.

Rather than adhering to a specific visual aesthetic, the studio defines its approach as 'Lifeful Design' - a way of working that prioritises emotional durability, resonance, and impact. "For us, it's about creating work that truly resonates with the world we live in, work that has the emotional durability to last, and work that ultimately helps our clients communicate their unique purpose," says Smith.

A culture of collaboration and community

Beyond its client work, Studio Kiln is also building a culture that reflects its values, fostering open collaboration, mutual respect, and the understanding that its practice is bigger than any one individual. Cornwall's creative community plays a vital role in shaping its approach.

Smith explains: "Cornwall is integral to Kiln's story. It's where we started, it's part of our identity, and it instilled in us a deep appreciation for community." While their roots are firmly in Cornwall, they embrace flexible, contemporary ways of working, allowing team members to work remotely while maintaining a strong creative hub in their studio space.

Sustainable growth

As the studio continues to grow, Smith and Hocking are focused on maintaining the studio's creative integrity while ensuring long-term stability. "One of the main things we're trying to build for the studio over the next year is more stability," says Hocking. "We've had some success, but we're still small and vulnerable, so rather than looking for growth, we're keen to look after the team, make sure they're happy and put the studio in the best possible position for what might come next."

Beyond client work, Studio Kiln is also passionate about self-initiated projects. A few years ago, the team made an animated film called Waterbeing, and according to Hocking, they're currently working on a film/poem about a plastic sea monster. These passion projects allow them to explore new ideas and connect with their environment in Cornwall in unexpected ways.

For Smith, the future of the studio is about pushing boundaries, both creatively and geographically. He says: "Our broad output pushes us into the unknown and allows us to embrace new creative technologies.

"It's this bridge between the why and the how—the purpose and the execution—that allows us to uncover solutions others might overlook."

From a shared desk in Penryn to an increasingly influential presence in the UK design scene, Studio Kiln is proving that great design isn't bound by geography. As they continue to shape their future, one thing is clear: their work will always be lifeful, meaningful, and deeply connected to the world around them.