What does five decades in design teach you about creativity, leadership, and resilience?
In this first episode of Design Next, we sit down with Richard Williams, founder of Design Bridge and Williams Murray Hamm — a ‘design industry veteran’ with a career spanning over 50 years. From creating iconic Sainsbury’s packaging in the 70s to launching two influential design agencies, Richard’s career is a masterclass in adaptability.
Richard’s career in years…
Richard’s career began with a love for drawing and branding, a passion that carried him through art college and into his first major role at Sainsbury’s, a job he scored from a chance phone call on one of those landline phones — remember those? From there, he co-founded Design Bridge in 1986, exiting nine years later to establish Williams Murray Hamm; with both businesses still active today.
His experiences reveal an industry that has shifted dramatically — from pub-lunch-fuelled-half-days in the 80s to today’s fast-paced, more commercially-driven world. But what’s remained constant is the power of big ideas and the requirement to challenge the status quo.
“Clients used to buy into ideas. Now, they expect a fully finished product before you’ve even had time to develop the concept. That changes the way creativity works.”
Changes in life and in work
Reflecting on how design has become more serious, and more commercial over the years, does that mean we’ve lost some of the fun? It’s a perspective Richard has worked through, and lived through too, acknowledging the impact family life and life decisions have on your attitude to work.
“When I started Design Bridge in my 30s, I was absolutely fearless. By the time I launched Williams Murray Hamm in my 40s, I realised it might not work — and that was terrifying.”
Leadership and building culture
Starting Design Bridge in his 30s, Richard describes himself as fearless — taking risks without hesitation. By the time he launched Williams Murray Hamm, the stakes were higher. He had more responsibilities, more doubts, and a deeper awareness of the challenges of growing an agency. Through trial and error, he learned that leadership is about trust, culture, and creating a ‘family’ within a business. It was interesting to reflect on this – a ‘family’ culture is often a red flag to employees now, but Richard used this tone with such warmth and passion.
His insights into what makes a successful creative team are invaluable for agency founders and design leaders looking to foster a strong, resilient workplace culture – and WFH / hybrid culture is not a decision to be taken lightly.
“Young creatives need to be in the room. You can’t learn how to handle a client, defend a bold idea, or lead a project through a screen.”
Age and experience
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is Richard’s perspective on age in the creative industry. In a field that often prioritizes fresh, young talent, he makes a compelling case for the value of experience, wisdom, and perspective. He argues that while younger designers bring fearless creativity, older creatives provide depth, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex client relationships.
“If you want to do interesting work for your whole career, you have to take on things that frighten you. Otherwise, you lose that sense of vitality.”
This conversation is a goldmine of insights for agency founders, design leaders, and creatives navigating career growth. Whether you’re scaling a business, leading a team, or simply trying to stay creatively ‘on it’, Richard’s reflections offer practical wisdom, inspiration, and a refreshing dose of honesty about what it really takes to build a lasting career in design.
And he proves that with age comes wisdom…
“If you’re feeling the pressure, take a step back. The world won’t end if you walk around the block. The sun will still rise tomorrow.”
