A boutique creative design agency

For over 20 years we have been successfully delivering creative design agency services for niche luxury brands, ambitious start-ups and private clients worldwide. SO was founded in 2000 by Jo Stedman, whose passion for print design, high-quality materials and beautiful design naturally led SO into the realm of luxury brands.

Today, we offer carefully considered, bespoke marketing and luxury design solutions tailor-made to your needs. We strive to be strategic, smart and special. Working tirelessly to ensure exceptional quality of thought goes into everything we do, we take great pride in challenging both ourselves and the language of the design industry to produce work that consistently stands out.

Our creative design agency team has always been small – and that’s the way we want it. We only work with people we gel with and on projects we like, making for an open, more rewarding process and ultimately better results. It is this down-to-earth honesty and unpretentious approach that our clients love – and is the reason why 90% of our work comes from referrals.

SO’s creativity has been tapped into by royalty, UHNWI and family businesses across the world. But you don’t have to have a title, feel free to drop Jo an email to discuss your brand’s needs.

Small team, big talent

Jo Stedman – Founder & Creative Director

Founder and Creative Director Jo Stedman is the soul of SO, a down-to-earth design virtuoso with a meticulous eye for detail. Jo is switched on to all that is beautiful, fresh and engaging, working with specialist artisans to ensure the most exceptional end products. With a deep understanding of the unique needs and tastes of highly discerning audiences, she has worked on projects across the globe, from the Middle East and Singapore to Canada and Brazil, attracting esteemed clients including the Al Thani family, Lady Elizabeth Anson, David Linley and Baron Lorne Thyssen-Bornemisza. Jo is Creative Director, principal designer and primary point of contact for all SO’s clients.

Jane Paine – Project Director

Jane is an experienced luxury brand marketer having worked across many different industries, agency & client side, from FTSE 100 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups, family and mid-market businesses. Her keen attention to detail and great organisational skills along with a motivated and hardworking mindset allows her to manage an array of people, projects and deliverables seamlessly – on time and on budget. She has a first-class BSc in Management Sciences from Manchester University.

Jonathan Simnett – Strategy & Content Lead

Over nearly 40 years, Jonathan has helped transform the corporate reputation of organisations in periods of rapid change. He has led corporate communications and reputation management campaigns working at the highest levels with global businesses, financiers, advisory firms and for international and domestic government and diplomatic entities. A regular commentator on business and development issues, Jonathan was leader of the team named Global Communications Department of the Year at the International Business Awards, New York.

Effie Vrontis – Senior Designer

The lynchpin of SO, Effie has been Jo’s right hand since 2005. Super methodical, on the ball and with eyes like a hawk, Effie is equally at home diving into research and developing inspirational concepts as she is with producing flawless artwork. Since she joined SO, Effie has been unswervingly passionate and dedicated to our pursuit of perfection, helping the team produce outstanding work on every project.

Chris – Production Director

Chris is a highly experienced, luxury print manager and specialist advisor with over 30 years experience in the ever-changing print business. He has extensive knowledge of all print processes, finishes and techniques and is an absolute paper geek too! With a passion for making beautiful, memorable high-end print, Chris’s print knowledge and exceptional eye for detail ensures that every print project leads to a truly stunning result.

Nick Steyn – Brand Strategist

Nick is a strategy development and marketing specialist. He offers an in-depth, ‘Insight-Driven’ approach to brand strategy which is recommended in more mature or complex new markets. Nick researches markets, stakeholders and company cultures to generate powerful new perspectives, distinctive messaging and sharper insight-driven propositions. From those findings, he creates effective brand strategies from which all marketing and communications programmes can be based.

Graham Parker – Storyteller & Copywriter

As Harrods’ Head of Editorial for eight years, Graham has worked with practically every luxury brand in existence, from fashion and fragrance to homewares, art and lifestyle. He’s written the lot too, whether a simple tagline, a feature or website, right up to major national ad campaigns, high-profile interviews and books. Today, Graham delivers what we call our ‘Fast-Track’ approach to brand positioning, often recommended for smaller, niche brands and start-ups. He develops unique brand stories and personalities, devising distinctive tones of voice and crafting words to create a real point of difference.

Dexter & Dudley – Heads of Inspiration

The team wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Dexter and Dudley, our adorable office dachshunds. Our newest recruits have quickly become an integral part of what we do – and great favourites of our clients. And what they don’t know about luxury simply isn’t worth knowing!