THE STUDIO

Two people who care too much.

Fern was built on a belief that good work comes from good relationships. Here's what that's looked like in practice.

2017

Clara was at Pentagram in London. Tom was at ustwo, three streets away. They met at a talk about type and spent the entire after-drinks arguing about whether craft or concept should lead a project. They're still arguing. The studio runs on that tension.

2020

They left their jobs within four months of each other. Fern opened during a lockdown, which turned out to be a surprisingly good time to start a studio — everyone was rethinking everything, and brands needed to do the same. Their first client was a restaurant that couldn't open yet. They built the brand anyway.

now

Four years in. A handful of clients who have been with them since the start. A growing list of work they're genuinely proud of. Two people, still. That's not changing. Fern operates between London and Lisbon. The slower pace of Lisbon changed how they work. The energy of London keeps them honest.

THE FOUNDERS

Clara Mendès

Co-founder, Creative Director

Previously Senior Designer at Pentagram London (2014–2019). Before that: Central Saint Martins, graphic design and typography.

Clara leads brand strategy and identity on every Fern project. She has strong opinions about type, a weakness for good paper, and no patience for briefs that confuse activity with purpose.

Interests: Hand-drawn lettering. Sourdough that takes too long. Long walks with bad podcasts.

Tom Ashby

Co-founder, Design & Digital Lead

Previously Design Lead at ustwo London (2015–2020). Before that: five years freelance across London and Amsterdam.

Tom leads digital and motion on every project. He has been quietly furious about bad web design since he built his first website at 13. Framer fixed most of what frustrated him.

Interests: Brutalist architecture. Film photography on expired stock. Very slow, very good coffee.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

A few things we won't compromise

Belief 01

Small is a choice.

We've been asked to hire. We've been offered projects that would have required us to scale. We've said no to both. Every project at Fern is touched by both founders. That stops being possible at 15 people.

Belief 01

Small is a choice.

Belief 02

The brief is the work.

Most creative projects fail in the brief, not the execution. We spend more time on strategy than most studios spend on the entire project. That's not slow — that's how you get to the right answer faster.

Belief 02

The brief is the work.

Belief 03

Honesty over comfort.

We will tell you when something isn't working. We'll push back on directions that won't serve you. That's not us being difficult. It's us doing what you came for.

Belief 03

Honesty over comfort.

We will tell you when something isn't working. We'll push back on directions that won't serve you. That's not us being difficult. It's us doing what you came for.

Belief 04

Relationships over volume.

Three of our first five clients still work with us. That's the model we're building toward — a small group of long-term partners, not a production line.

Belief 04

Relationships over volume.

Three of our first five clients still work with us. That's the model we're building toward — a small group of long-term partners, not a production line.

RECOGNITION

2023
Awwwards — Site of the Day
Settle Website
2023
D&AD — Wood Pencil
The Wayward Table Identity
2024
Brand Identity Awards — Shortlist
Meadow
2024
Framer Awards — Best Portfolio Site
Fern Studio website

If this sounds like the right fit —

We're selective about who we work with. So are most of our best clients. That tends to work out well for everyone.

Let's find out.

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studio@fernstudio.co

London / Lisbon

studio@fernstudio.com