THE MODERN DESIGN STUDIO AS A «THIRD SPACE»
15 MINUTE READ. PUBLISHED 25 SEPT 2025. UPDATED 1 OCT 2025.
CREATIVE COMMONS CC BY ELECTRO STRATEGY STUDIO. WRITTEN BY ADRIAN JARVIS.
TL;DR Modern design studios should be built as Third Spaces. A commercial and creative model where people, projects, communities and economics build virtuous value. To work, it needs to have the right mix of people, economics, accountability, networks and infrastructure.
<PART 1 — Economics Part 2 - Characteristics
PART 2 — CHARACTERISTICS OF THIRD SPACE STUDIOS.
THEME 1: HORIZONS OF TRAVEL.
1.1 TESTING FUTURES.
A modern studio anticipates and reacts to change. Looking beyond immediate briefs to understand long-term shifts in society, technology and culture. Helping clients navigate uncertainty and build a more confident view of the future.
Imagine, a project on urban mobility, the studio runs foresight workshops with policymakers, mobility start-ups and citizen groups. The work explores scenarios to make ‘futures’ tangible for decision-making and design.
Third Spaces are experimental. They are places of transition, where new forms emerge and identities are reshaped. Strategic foresight mirrors this, creating spaces to test possible futures before they arrive.
Toolsets; Scenario planning, horizon scanning, trends and weak signals, speculative sprints.
1.2 FLUID AND ADAPTIVE.
A modern studio resists the diktat of methods. Each challenge is shaped in context, through a dialogue with stakeholders and communities. Flexibility and pragmatism matter more than defending a single school of thought or proven process.
Imagine, a client questions ‘design thinking’ rhetoric. The team adapts to use narrative-based workshops instead of fixed process documents, to achieve effective cross-team collaboration.
Third Spaces are fluid and adaptive, thriving on human exchange rather than rigid rules.
Toolsets; systems mapping, cultural research, mixed-method toolkits, multidiscipline workspaces.
1.3 WHERE CULTURES MEET.
A modern studio must act as a bridge between worlds. Helping clients navigate cultural codes, social shifts and political signals. Ideas land with relevance and cultural respect when expression is not about smoothing differences away, rather ensuring they are visible and inspirational.
Imagine, a global brand campaign across Europe. The studio convenes cultural researchers so that the work evolves. Each reflecting local insights, with a shared global core.
Third Spaces thrive where cultures meet. Identity and cultural translation turns difference into productive energy with the power to break down social barriers.
Toolsets; cross-cultural research, semiotics, narrative mapping, workshops, localisation.
CASE STUDY: Civic Creative Base Tokyo is described as a future-focused creative hub in Tokyo that hosts workshops, public dialogue and digital futures programming. The aim is to bring local and global minds together in a space for conversation and experimentation, acting as an accelerator for civic and creative interaction.
THEME 2: COLLECTIVE VALUE.
2.1 DIVERSE VOICES.
A modern studio extends beyond its walls. We connect to expert networks, civic groups and industry communities, treating them as decision-shaping partners as well as distant stakeholders. Design succeeds when it responds to the collective needs of those who live challenges every day.
Imagine, a smart cities project where the studio works with the municipal client, transport planners, data scientists, community advocates and a network of expert activists. Each group contributes specific expertise reflecting their realities and responsibilities.
Third Spaces look for diverse voices to negotiate shared outcomes. Community connections bring this same spirit into design. Ensuring decisions are informed by knowledge and responsibility.
Toolsets; ecosystem mapping, expert networks, citizen participation, feedback studies.
2.2 BETWEEN THE POLES.
A modern studio thrives by being grounded. Space for bold ideas, while ensuring the stability of fair pay, clear approaches and shared accountability. Recognising the pull of extremes and their importance to define the edges of what is possible, and often necessary.
Imagine, a cultural project starts as futures lab, then shifts into commercial delivery with strict budgets. Both modes are honoured, creating a sustainable business model.
Third Spaces stand between poles. Proof and risk, imaginary and physical. Strength comes from balancing extremes.
Toolsets; polarity mapping, multi-track project planning, capacity-based resourcing.
2.3 SHARED REWARD.
A modern studio is a shared movement. Clients, partners and associates move forward together. Milestones are collective wins, not personal trophies. Recognising frictions between expectations and experiences that shape how people view the world.
Imagine, design sprint with a global enterprise ends with joint recognition for clients, partners, and designers. Everyone owns the outcome, specific recognitions get rewarded.
Third Spaces are like co-ops or community hubs where progress is collective and grounded in shared effort and reward.
Toolsets; co-creation labs, collaborative roadmaps, journey mapping.
CASE STUDY: Atelier Gardens in Berlin is a former film studio that has been turned into a civic campus where individual designers, activists and small NGOs work to shape shared cultural and community projects.
THEME 3: INDIVIDUAL AGENCY.
3.1 PRESENCE AND INTENT.
In modern studios, membership is built by how people show up and what they bring with purpose. Recognition comes from meaningful input, beyond titles or status. While, the management team remains central to decision-making, ensuring the direction is shaped by the wider studio.
Imagine, a contributor spots accessibility issues in a prototype. Their suggestions shape both a key design change and new process step, earning genuine recognition from the team.
Third Spaces reward participation. Presence and intent shape an individual’s place in the community and strength of the space.
Toolsets; critique circles, open design sessions, contribution-based recognition.
3.2 SHAPING THE CULTURE.
Modern studios thrive when each associate and partner shapes their own role and voice. Freedom to lead projects, take risks, and shape their craft.
Imagine, a designer asks to lead the strategic direction of a new brand. Their initiative is backed by the team, and the resulting concepts lead to a number of unconventional directions.
Third Spaces allow people to shape the culture and product. As individuals show-up and take part, the studio encourages contributions and supports initiative.
Toolsets; personal growth plans, mentorship networks, role-shaping sessions.
3.3 SHARED STEWARDSHIP.
A modern studio is sustained through many lines of trust. Creativity has to be matched with delivery: to each other, to clients, and to the people who will live with what we design. Credit and responsibility are always shared.
Imagine, a product launch fails to meet expectations. Instead of blame falling on one role, the whole team steps in to understand what went wrong, revises together, and re-presents. The failure becomes an opportunity for positive reflection across the studio.
Third Spaces thrive through shared stewardship. Community gardens, co-ops, and activist groups work more effectively with mutual accountability. A studio is no different.
Toolsets; responsibility mapping, stop-start-continue retrospectives, stewardship models.
CASE STUDY: Dark Matter Labs frame their work through systems thinking, publishing Life Ennobling Economics as their ‘south star’ and founding principles for reimagining futures.
Jump back to PART 1 — ECONOMICS.
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This article was written by Adrian Jarvis, who founded Electro, an independent strategy studio based in East London.
Adrian has over 30 years experience of working with enterprises of all sizes. The principles discussed here are highly scalable from start-ups to multinationals, across a range of categories. Find out more.