It truly takes a village: At Villagers Studio, teams are built for each project like a pop-up shop

When Sam Smith opened up his design shop, Villagers Studio, he knew exactly what he wanted to build – a pro-remote studio that’s quick on its feet, built entirely on trust. With an aim to “bring joy to the full branding journey,” Smith wanted to craft a space that’s different from the rest that’s out there. Being remote is an important part of Villagers’ identity, as it not only helps the practice choose the talent they want to work with, but allows them to choose them freely, not worrying about where they’re based. “We want to work with the best; no matter where they are in the world, wherever they are most comfortable,” Smith tells us. The quick-footed studio works nimbly, assembling a team of what they like to call like-minded ‘Village People’ based on a project’s ask. But Villagers wants to offer more than the work they make. For Smith, it’s important to give back to the community he works for, and become a space where designers – no matter where they come from – can ask for help. In this conversation Smith lifts the curtains on the year-old practice, giving us a view of their world and work, while also showing us where they’re headed.