In 2025, Design Against the Odds became a clearer expression of how we work.
We believe design has influence. And with influence comes responsibility.
In the context of climate breakdown, inequality and disconnection, we use our creativity, resources and commercial success to support work that contributes to fairer, more human outcomes.
Design Against the Odds is about being deliberate in the choices we make. It shapes how we select projects, who we partner with, how we invest profit and how we structure the studio itself. It is not about being perfect. It is about being thoughtful. About applying our skills carefully. About being constructive and brave in the work we choose to put into the world.
5 years as a B Corp. 2 years today since we recertified. 1 year until we do it all again. This isn’t a badge we hang on the wall, it’s a standard we are always trying to improve. Next week, we’re sharing exactly what that work looks like with our 2025 impact report.
Like all the best projects, our new brand has been a collaborative effort. The end result reflects who we are now, nearly a decade in, how we work and the values that we hold. But the final film only tells part of the story. Here is a behind the scenes look into how it came to life.
Thank you to @susancastillophoto , @studiomustard_ and @ciorstaidhmonk for bringing our new vision to life.
“Let Mother Nature be your co-designer. She wastes nothing. She balances every system. She creates beauty with purpose.” Dame Jane Goodall DBE
This Earth Day we are reflecting on the words of Dame Jane Goodall DBE shared at the World Design Congress last year. An inspiration and a reminder to really look at the world around us for design inspiration. What are your favourite designs inspired by nature?
Located at the northern tip of the Isle of Bute, Rhubodach is a woodland in transition. Dedicated to restoring native Scottish trees and home to ‘Johnny’s Way’, a bespoke art trail, it stands as a living legacy where nature, community, and heritage intersect.
Our challenge was to capture that quiet sense of renewal. We built an identity rooted in the natural rhythms of regeneration, steering clear of static heritage tropes in favour of something that reflects a landscape actively recovering. By pairing earthy, organic textures with refined, crafted typography, we shaped a brand that feels grounded yet evolving.
Learn more about Rhubodach on our website.
“Chase impact, not awards” – an hour with ilka studio. Read our feature on @designweekmag where we highlight ilka’s journey and the future for the studio in 2026. Tap the link in our bio to read more.
This month we are speaking to students at Edinburgh College of Art, Glasgow School of Art and City of Glasgow College about Design Against the Odds - how ilka puts its values into practice. It reflects our belief that design has influence, and that influence carries responsibility. It means using what we have to lift others, turning ambition into action, and showing that better outcomes are possible. It is about spotlighting progress, supporting behaviour change, and challenging the norms of advertising and consumerism when they work against people or the planet.
It is not about being perfect. It is about being intentional, constructive and brave in the work we put into the world.
Interested in our impact? Tap the link in our bio to read more.
We know that every choice shifts something, so we’ve started documenting the small stuff, the little bits of impact that add up. Our aim is to show that being a sustainable designer isn’t hard, it’s about being intentional.
SMALL WIN: OneRen is the charitable trust for the people of Renfrewshire, providing venues, services and experiences that shape lives at every stage from a child’s first swimming lesson to a legendary gig or an unforgettable wedding day.
When designing the OneRen brand we moved away from the generic stock imagery typically used by organisations in this sector. Instead, the photography celebrates the real people, real lives and real stories that OneRen supports, capturing authentic moments and genuine connections at the heart of their communities.
Check out more small wins on our website.
So good to see one of our newest brands, Paisley Arts Festival, launching this week.
The latest addition to @weareoneren festival programme, it unfolds over three jam packed days and brings together artists, makers and audiences across disciplines. Our role was to create an identity that could hold the diversity of the programming and invite people to explore, connect and take part. We built the brand around the idea of a portal of discovery. Whether it’s a door, a gate, or even a wardrobe, a portal is a personal entry point that meets you where you are and takes you somewhere new.
Head over to the website to see the full case study.
Meet Columba (@columbamcc ), the newest member of the ilka team! A recent graduate from Edinburgh Collage of Art (and an ISTD award winner), Columba has already made a big impression on the Scottish design community with a fantastic talk at GAB last year, explaining the challenges of finding a job as a junior designer.
As part of the mentorship team for design students at ECA, it’s so important to us to be able to help talented people like Columba start on their career path. She’s already making waves within the team and we’re thrilled to have her on board.
It has been an incredible year at the studio. We’ve been on a journey, growing our team and launching our rebrand, both of which feel like profound new chapters in our story.
We’ve attended (and hosted) some fantastic events, including the launch of Not Our Thing, our workshop centred around sustainable design as part of iNTL. We’ve grown existing client relationships and cultivated new ones, both of which we are very proud of and excited to see what comes next. We are so grateful for our team, our community and our clients - thank you all for an outstanding year!
We are delighted to have been named Scottish Brand Design Agency of the Year at the 2025 SME Awards. It’s been a landmark year for the studio and to have our work acknowledged in this way is such a privilege. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort over the last 12 months, we are so grateful.
