At Acxes 9, we believe that truly transformative design stems from a deep well of inspiration and a unique creative process. This year, Design Milk’s highly anticipated ‘Friday Five’ column offered a profound look into the minds of ten extraordinary creatives, showcasing the expansive, idiosyncratic, and deeply personal journeys that shape contemporary design culture. As originally reported by Design Milk, in their review of the top 10 most popular creatives featured in their Friday Five column from 2025, these voices – from architects and designers to ceramists and storytellers – collectively paint a vivid portrait of an industry that is multidisciplinary, emotionally attuned, and endlessly curious. Their stories reveal that creativity isn’t a singular path, but a dynamic interplay of treasured details, moving places, and powerful narratives carried forward.
The Tapestry of Inspiration: Where Creativity Takes Root
One of the most striking takeaways from Design Milk’s roundup is the sheer breadth of sources that fuel creative output. For these innovators, inspiration isn’t found in a single wellspring but flows from a wide, often unexpected, cultural tapestry. Consider Joya Nandurdikar, cofounder of Untitled Design and Furgonomics, who grounds her practice in India’s rich craft heritage, drawing energy from Kerala mural traditions, goddess iconography, and the serenity of the Ganga at dusk. Her work is a testament to cultural preservation through responsible luxury, blending traditional techniques with contemporary form through deep artisan collaboration.
Similarly, Elizabeth Graziolo of Yellow House Architects finds muse in the everyday – sunsets, libraries, art, nature, and even door knockers – capturing ideas through photos, sketches, and collected objects to revive historic properties with fresh intent. Ceramist Alex Matisse, founder of East Fork, anchors his creative life in handmade objects, family histories, and his beloved woodland cabin, proving that creation is never separate from the immersive act of living and making.
Multidisciplinary Minds: Beyond Traditional Boundaries
The profiles consistently highlight a fascinating trend: creatives are increasingly fluid across disciplines, allowing diverse experiences to inform their primary craft. Sam Sacks, for instance, transitioned from journalism, where she edited a shelter magazine, into founding her Toronto-based interior design firm. Her years in storytelling now allow her to compose layered narratives in clients’ spaces, reflecting their unique identities through pattern, material, and mood.
Nathan Warkentin’s journey from photography and music to interiors underscores this adaptability, viewing interiors as the most immersive form of expression. His process is fueled by an ever-growing library of books on fashion, Japanese design, and rare finds, alongside influences spanning art, underground ’90s culture, and Mexican architecture. This cross-pollination of interests enriches their work, making it more resonant and innovative.
Crafting Narratives: Design as Storytelling and Preservation
Many of these creatives see their work as a form of storytelling or cultural preservation. Amanda Leigh, cofounder of House of Rolison, exemplifies this with her firm’s signature blend of vintage and contemporary elements used to restore overlooked homes, creating curated luxury spaces infused with narrative intent. Her passion for innovation and collaboration is evident in every detail.
In architecture, Karim El-Ishmawi, cofounder of Kinzo, views partnership as the engine of innovation, drawing inspiration from scenographic landscapes, experimental projects, and immersive art installations to fuel collective imagination and boundary-pushing environments. Leo Marmol of Marmol Radziner embraces a holistic approach – spanning construction, furniture, and craft – alongside his passion for painting, finding meaning in creation itself, whether contemplating Camus or experiencing Modernist spaces.
Jun Aizaki of CRÈME, with his early love of LEGO houses and travel, brings a multidisciplinary, story-driven approach to hospitality and product design, treating each project as a holistic narrative shaped by collaborators and artisans. His creativity even extends to pottery, embracing its tactility and unpredictability.
And Amanda Gunawan of OWIU Design, whose architectural ambitions were sharpened by global travel and a revelatory visit to Japan’s Tama Art University Library, sees living, making, and collaboration blur seamlessly in her studio. Her ceramics line, OWIU Goods, emerged organically, proving that true creative environments foster holistic growth and expression.
The Acxes 9 Perspective
For our clients at Acxes 9, these insights are more than just fascinating anecdotes; they are foundational principles for impactful design and branding. The diverse journeys of these top creatives underscore that authentic brand narratives and compelling visual communication arise from a deep understanding of unique inspiration, personal values, and multidisciplinary thinking. We recognize that every client has their own ‘Friday Five’ – their unique sources of passion, purpose, and ingenuity. Our role is to uncover these individual and collective stories, translating them into strategic design solutions that resonate deeply with their audience.
Whether it’s crafting a brand identity that reflects a rich cultural heritage, developing a digital experience that mirrors a collaborative and user-centric philosophy, or designing marketing materials that tell a captivating story, Acxes 9 champions an approach that is as expansive, idiosyncratic, and deeply personal as the creatives highlighted by Design Milk. We believe that by tapping into the genuine wellspring of our clients’ inspiration, we can build brands that are not only visually stunning but also emotionally attuned, endlessly curious, and truly transformative for their business.