Have faith in yourself - with Nick Finney, NB Studio

Have faith in yourself - with Nick Finney, NB Studio

From Never Not Creative by Never Not Creative

October 5, 2025 · 56 min

About this episode

Nick Finney shares his unconventional journey in the design industry and discusses the realities of running a design agency for 28 years.

In this episode, Andy Wright and Rio Blake (joining as the new Northern Hemisphere correspondent) sit down with Nick Finney, founder of NB Studio and former Pentagram designer. Nick shares his unconventional journey from working in a bicycle shop and Burton's Menswear to becoming a respected creative leader, while opening up about the realities of running a design agency for 28 years. Key Topics Discussed: The Unconventional Path to Design: Nick reflects on his early struggles with academics, working on a YTS scheme for £25 a week, and his eventual transition to art college. He emphasises how his non-traditional background shaped his perspective and resilience in the creative industry. The Evolution of Internships and Junior Talent: The conversation explores how the internship landscape has changed, with Nick defending the value of junior talent while acknowledging the increased competition. He discusses NB Studio's approach to nurturing interns and the importance of treating them as integral team members. Technology's Impact on Creative Learning: Nick addresses concerns about remote work and whether essential skills are being passed down to the next generation. He remains…

People in this episode

Hosts: Andy Wright, Rio Blake

Guest: Nick Finney

Topics covered

  • Unconventional career paths
  • Internships and junior talent
  • Technology in creative learning
  • Mental health in leadership

Keywords

  • design agency
  • creative leadership
  • internships
  • mental health
  • technology
  • creative industry
  • resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NB Studio, Pentagram, Burton's Menswear

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