Meet the Founder: Hannah, Visionary Behind Studio Helia

Founder of Studio Helia

Hi, I'm Hannah — brand designer, artist, and founder of Studio Helia.

After years in the industry, including managing design teams and working freelance, I decided to start something of my own. I founded Studio Helia as a space where creative vision, colour, and storytelling come together to build brands that feel deeply personal and beautifully strategic.

So, let's sit down and get to the heart of my story, my vision, and why design — to me — is about more than just looking good. It’s about resonance, rebirth, and radiating joy.

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Q: So, what do you do — and what first made you feel called to create?

I'm Hannah. I’m a brand designer and artist, and I founded Studio Helia after a year of freelancing, which followed being made redundant from my role managing a team of designers. That shift felt like a push to create something entirely my own. I knew I wanted to build something with vision, creativity, and eventually a team again. Studio Helia was the next right step.

But creativity's always been in me. As a child, I was constantly making messy art attacks on the floor, dressing up, building new worlds with paper, colour, anything I could get my hands on. I was definitely a bit of a weird child in the best way. That raw, playful, imaginative energy has never left — and now design feels like that same kind of world-building. Every brand I work with is a new story, a new universe. In a nutshell, I’m a designer and artist, but really, I’m a storyteller and a visionary. I want to speak to as many people as possible through the work.

Q: Where did the name Studio Helia come from?

The name came from Helios, the Greek god of the sun. I’ve always been drawn to names and stories that feel bigger than us — and I wanted a name that radiates warmth, joy, and positivity.

The brand itself features a winged lioness as the logo-mark, which for me is a symbol of strength, regrowth, and self-discovery. She represents being fierce and soft at the same time — powerful, beautiful, vibrant, and absolutely yourself. That’s the energy I want Studio Helia to bring into every collaboration.

Q: What kind of people or brands are you most drawn to working with?

I love working with people who are either at the beginning of their journey or at a big tipping point. Maybe they’re outgrowing their current brand direction, or maybe things just aren’t feeling like them anymore.

That’s where I come in — to help people reconnect with their brand’s purpose. What does it feel like? Is it still a reflection of who you are and where you want to go? I want to work with people who are up for a little bit of self-discovery. Some might say "it's not that deep" — but to me, it is.

And when a brand is doing something good for people or the planet? Even better. I light up when I work with brands connected to nature, health, animals, sustainability, or community impact. If it’s meaningful, I’m all in.

Q: What’s your creative process like when starting a new project?

It always begins with a deep dive. I start most projects with a thorough brand questionnaire, which helps me understand not just the what, but the why. I want to know what drives someone to do what they do.

From there, I begin building creative territories — usually 2-3 distinct directions built out with mood boards, colour palettes, typography samples, and references. If there’s a product involved, I’ll explore its landscape on the shelf or in the market. If not, I imagine the ideal customer and look at the brands, platforms, and experiences they love. I create personas like "Where is Monica shopping? What other brands does she trust?"

Once a direction is chosen, I build the logo system and expand the identity into other touch-points — packaging, social, web, launch assets, you name it. I also support clients with creative consulting and launch planning to help make the rollout seamless and joyful.

Q: What’s your design philosophy?

Simple: great design should almost be invisible. It should feel intuitive, frictionless, and emotionally resonant. I want people to see a design and feel something without needing to explain why.

That means leaning into colour, storytelling, and human insight. It means aligning every creative decision with intention. Great design isn’t just about how it looks — it’s how it feels, how it functions, and how it connects.

Q: What kinds of projects aren’t for you?

I steer clear of anything that feels inauthentic or disconnected from its purpose. If the heart isn’t in it, I can feel it. That doesn't mean the project isn’t valid — but I want to work with people who are excited about what they're doing. People who believe in it. If you're here to make something beautiful and meaningful, I'm your gal.

Q: What do people often misunderstand about brand design?

That it’s just about making something look pretty. That it starts and ends with a logo.

But branding is so much more. It’s strategy. It’s communication. It’s what people feel when they experience your business. I want the brands I work with to walk away feeling proud, excited, and clear. Not just with pretty visuals, but with tools they understand and can use confidently. That’s when the magic happens.

Q: What’s your vision for Studio Helia going forward?

Growth — slow, steady, joyful growth. Right now, it’s just me, but I see Studio Helia becoming a creative home for all kinds of collaborators. I want to bring in specialists — videographers, photographers, social strategists — to offer clients a more holistic, high-vibe brand experience.

And I want to expand geographically too. I’m based in Edinburgh right now, but I’d love to connect with people around the world, in person and online. I’m not in a rush. But the vision is there. Most of all, I want Studio Helia to be a reminder that design should bring joy. That it can change your world — even just a little bit — when it’s done with heart.