Our Studio


“As designers, we do not just implement innovation but creatively transform tangible technology into emotionally engaging & satisfying user experiences.”

“As designers, we do not just implement innovation but creatively transform tangible technology into emotionally engaging & satisfying user experiences.”


Sebastian Conran

As creative principal, Sebastian always takes a hands-on down-to-earth approach to all the studio’s projects. He is intimately involved in all design aspects of the innovation journey, sharing his wealth of experience and manufacturing expertise with the design team, however big or small the project. His designs have received many awards for design & innovation, as well as being granted dozens of patents in various fields.

From stacking shelves at Habitat in his teens, to running Studio Conran, Sebastian’s life has been focused on understanding how things are made, sold, and used, as well as designing innovative, stylish & satisfying products. He has seen many thousands of successful & enduring products through from concept to consumer.


1970's

St Martins, The Clash & Wolff Olins

Sebastian studied Industrial Design Engineering at Central St.Martins College. As the Student Union treasurer, he gave the Sex Pistols their first booking for a gig at the college bar and designed the record sleeves, posters, and clothing for The Clash.

In 1978, Sebastian joined corporate identity consultancy Wolff Olins, gaining creative responsibility for key accounts such as Shell and Pilkington.

1980's

Mothercare & Founding SCA

Sebastian left Wolff Olins in 1981 to lead hard-merchandise design at Mothercare – a role that transformed the appearance and performance of childcare equipment.

In 1986, Sebastian founded his product design studio, Sebastian Conran associates, in West London.

Sebastian back in the punk days.
‘Gain Control’ poster for the clash in 1977.

Baby-bottlewarmer for Mothercare in 1985

Sebastian pictured with the Via pushchair

1990's

SCA to Studio Conran

Sebastian Conran associates worked with an international client base for over a decade, developing products such as the Anyway up Cup and our first range for Connolly leather until the studio was merged with the Conran Group in 1999.

2000's

Studio Conran

SCA merged with the Conran Group to form Studio Conran where Sebastian became responsible for all product and branding design. Stand out projects from this period include the Nigella Lawson ‘Living Kitchen’ range which included over 100 individual products, the iCon range for Leonardo and working with Nissan on their special Conran edition Cube.

bY kettle by Conran & Partners

Sebastian back in 2010 taken by Paul Raeside

A concept 3D Printer for Factum

Sebastian in his studio showroom, back in 2012.

2009-Now

Sebastian Conran Associates

From 2009, Sebastian has worked with various designers all over the globe in his studio, developing designs ranging from kitchenware, to furniture, to consumer electronics all the way to robotics.

Partnering with Valerie Charlton, Harry Mitchell and David Moseley, who are all associates of the company, the studio has a varied output of projects with clients from all over the world.


Meet the team

The studio is made up of designers from a wide range of backgrounds.  This allows us to tackle projects from a wide spectrum.


Valerie Charlton

PARTNER & DESIGN DIRECTOR

Valerie Charlton is the Design Director at SCA and leads multi-disciplinary teams across a wide variety of projects. She is passionate about user experience and the way that products affect our lives in both big and small ways.


Harry Mitchell

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

An inventor at heart, Harry’s mechanical intuition and love for how things work have helped him drive innovation into products that are designed to last. Leading projects in a variety of sectors including consumer robotics through to furniture and homewares.


David Moseley

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

A multidisciplinary designer, specialising in graphic identity and branding. David is passionate about craftsmanship, something that has been instrumental in our luxury and unique commissions.


Mark Reilly

SENIOR DESIGNER

With a background in designing consumer electronics and a passion for future technology, Mark has worked with leading luxury brands across a variety of projects. He strives to create a narrative throughout the product experience to create a more meaningful design.


Carly Scothern

STUDIO MANAGER

A skilled administrator with a range of experience across different industries, Carly manages the studio and supports the design team. After graduating in International Business Studies & Japanese, she lived and worked in Japan for four years.


Our facilities

The studio is well equipped for every step of the design process.  Originally a car garage, the converted space has a large prototyping workshop, an assortment of tools and machinery, a 3D printing suite and multiple meeting rooms.

The workshop

The workshop is where our pre-production prototypes are made.  This ranges from quick mock-ups made from card or foam, through to more substantial models in wood, or even metal.  We’ve built rigs to test everything from mechanism function, strength to weight aspects, as well as durability and ease of assembly.  The space consists of machinery to work with wood, metals and plastics, including but not limited to: a bandsaw, table saw, pillar drill, disc & belt sanders, overhead milling machine, woodturning lathe, mechanical lathe and soldering & welding equipment.

4 x 3D Printers

We have 3 Makerbots for fast and accurate models, then a Formlabs Form 2 which is used for slower, higher fidelity models.  These are fantastic tools for testing designs in house, meaning we can check form and scale quickly and easily. Minimising outsourcing allows us to reduce prototyping lead times and ensure quality at every stage.

2 x CNC Machines

Our 2 CNC milling machines complete our prototyping journey. Helping us offer prototypes in a different range of materials to 3D printing, including timber, chemical wood, polymers, and metal to great accuracy.  These are great tools to produce aesthetic models that have a higher degree of strength, often suitable for testing or to help with fundraising.

Our photostudio

The photo studio enables us to take professional photographs throughout the development stage or for cataloging.  Not only does this reduce external photography costs for our clients, but lets us control the process entirely.