Emily Penny on the Secrets Behind Standing Out as a Design Studio

In this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Katy Cowan chats with Emily Penny – brand strategist, writer and founder of Be Colourful – about why so many design studios blend into the crowd, and the secrets to finally breaking free.

Emily shares findings from her new report, Fully Saturated, which analysed over 150 UK branding agencies. The results reveal a sector drowning in sameness – studios echoing the same promises, paralysed by fear, and too often hiding behind portfolio thinking. But Emily also uncovers the brave outliers: agencies daring to own their difference, lean into what makes them unique, and turn it into a powerful advantage.

Their conversation digs into why creatives find it so hard to position themselves, the emotional blocks that keep agencies stuck, and how her 'Brandstrand framework' – with 18 distinct strategies – can help any studio discover what it truly wants to be famous for.

Emily also speaks openly about her own journey, from launching Be Colourful in 2013 to embracing her voice as a "quiet" strategist in a loud industry, and why confidence starts with honesty.

It's a sharp, inspiring episode full of practical takeaways... the kind that will help you ditch the copycat mentality and start standing out for the right reasons.