Key People, illustrated by Damien Cuypers.

Nick Defty, Director (centre)

Nick founded YCN in 2001 and today creatively directs all output, both across our studio and broader ventures and activities. A regular speaker at Universities, Colleges and Art & Design schools; Nick is currently leading on a next wave of YCN Education initiatives, launching this October.

Collyn Ahart, Strategy Partner (left)

Collyn heads up our brand and creative strategy, working closely with our creative teams to deliver inspiring, game-changing work out of cultural insight. She can also be found speaking at conferences, writing about cultural opportunity, knee-deep in research, looking at beautiful things... or on a bicycle.

Alex Ostrowski, Design Partner (right)

Alex leads on all studio design projects, directing and co-ordinating internal designers alongside collaborators from our external creative network at every given opportunity. Alex also fronts the band Kotki Dwa and recently orchestrated the release of their new album 'Staycations' in partnership with the National Trust.

.......

We are working in times of constant change. The communication challenges that we as a creative company are presented with today are more nuanced and more interesting than ever before.

We don't believe that the best answers to these challenges can always lie within a single, static organisation. For us, the magic happens when we stay fluid and look outwards. Don Taspscott said it nicely: "There are a lot of smart people out there, but most of them don't work for you". So our central strategic and creative team harnesses talent from an ever-growing network of collaborators, using their experience and relationships to bond and bring the best out of our co-creators. Writers in London, animators in Stockholm, architects in New York; we combine our ideas, differences, strengths and specialisms to extra-ordinary effect. Each challenge is different, but together we can achieve anything.

This model enables us, and our clients, to remain informed, inspired, innovative and valuable in these ever changing times.

To discuss a project call Nick Defty on +44 (0)20 7033 2140 or email nick@ycnonline.com