Joining Taxi Studio as the second out-
of-London studio in this year’s Top 10,
Universal Everything has had a busy
year – including the release of its first
monograph, published by Unit Editions
and designed by fellow Top 10 agency
Spin. Other highlights from 2019 include
two interactive digital installations,
Superconsumers and Future You...
How does it feel to be rated so highly
by your industry peers?
It's humbling to be rewarded for our collective
efforts, against the odds of being outside
London – and with our unusual ‘virtual studio’
model that we’ve stuck with for 15 years.
Why do you think that model has proven
so effective?
Being outside of London means we consider
every collaborator, client and fan as a global
connection. This has given us a global outlook
from the start, bringing diverse influences and
opportunities, outside of the typical bubble.
Universal Everything
http://www.universaleverything.com
FOUNDED 2004
LOCATION
SHEFFIELD
STAFF 2 (PLUS 10
REGULAR
FREELANCERS)
NEW HIRES 0
Universal Everything
founder Matt Pyke is
a versatile designer,
director and media
artist. He has directed
commissions for Apple,
Google, Chanel, Nike
and many more.
09
V 4
What are the main disadvantages of taking
this approach?
Problem: the best freelance talent is always
booked up. Solution: we always have a
minimum of three people for each skill-set.
Problem: irregular cashflow. Solution: keep
fixed studio costs to the bare minimum.
Problem: being copied by other studios.
Solution: it motivates us to keep innovating.
Have you been affected by all the Brexit
uncertainty?
Yes, the threat of Brexit has caused many
talented European freelancers to move out
of the UK.
What’s particularly exciting on the horizon
for 2020?
Real-time graphics are now on-par with
three-dimensional renders, which leads to
opportunities for personalised and evolving
moving image. We think that’s far more
exciting than pushing the same video loop to
every viewer.
What is Universal
Everything? is the
studio’s own archiving
project in book form.
