WPP digital design agency AKQA buys majority stake in architecture and product design agencies

Architecture and interior design practice, Universal Design Studio and industrial design consultancy, Map Project Office, have joined AKQA to form a pioneering multidisciplinary experience design practice. AKQA, Universal Design Studio and Map will work together in project teams, sharing locations, people and clients, creating a transformative dialogue and interplay between these continually evolving fields of creativity.

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, the internationally acclaimed designers and co-founders of Universal Design Studio and Map said: “We are delighted to join a community that shares our ethos of collaboration and innovation. This new partnership with AKQA will give us the opportunity to redefine the interface between architecture, product and experience design.”

AKQA’s CEO Ajaz Ahmed said: “Having admired Edward and Jay’s work for over 20 years our partnership is the realisation of a decades-long dream. It is the culmination of an exciting vision that embodies the spirit of invention we have always stood for to push the limits and solve problems in unexpected ways.”

“Balancing art, science and the humanities in our new all-encompassing design practice introduces a new dimension, laying the foundation for the future. It is an opportunity to explore bold, imaginative work that is influenced by all the disciplines in the pursuit to break boundaries and create experiences at the forefront.”

“Ed and Jay are among the world’s most influential and awarded designers. The prominent organisations they have founded and the prestigious clients they have collaborated with have made significant contributions to culture, industry and society.”

Read more on the AKQA website: http://www.akqa.com/news/articles/2018-06-11-universal-design-studio_map-project-office-join-AKQA/