Since 1997, the year of the Kyoto Summit, Thomas.Matthews has been at the forefront of sustainable communications, challenging conventions and driving change in the design industry. What began as a question about waste in a university coffee bar has evolved into a practice that has shaped the conversation around sustainability in design for over 28 years. As part of the Useful Simple Trust, we have continuously pushed the boundaries, proving that design is not just about aesthetics but meaningful impact.

However, as the world of graphic design and communications continues to evolve, so too must we. The realities of a shifting economic landscape, increasing pressures on our clients, and the evolving global market have led us to reassess how best to continue our mission.

As a result, we have made the strategic decision to close the Thomas.Matthews studio and integrate our design expertise more closely within the Useful Simple Trust. This transition strengthens our ability to collaborate with our engineering and architecture colleagues, embedding sustainability and design thinking at the heart of our B Corp family.

This shift has also meant restructuring our team, and we are immensely grateful to the talented individuals who have been part of our journey. Looking ahead, our commitment to sustainability remains steadfast. We will continue this work through our sister brand, Useful Projects, with a focus on circular economy initiatives and a streamlined approach to communication design.

New adventures await

Thomas.Matthews has left a lasting legacy – helping organisations across multiple sectors communicate complex issues with clarity, integrity, and purpose. We are proud of the benchmarks we have set in sustainability and strategic design, and we are deeply appreciative of everyone who has been part of this journey.

As we enter this new chapter, we invite you to continue the conversation. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out at [email protected].