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Inside Plenty of Stuff Studio: Frances's journey with us and why culture really matters

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Inside Plenty of Stuff Studio: Frances's journey with us and why culture really matters

At Plenty of Stuff Studio, we do not just make marketing magic...we build a community. We believe that kindness, genuine care, and creating a supportive space for everyone we work with is not just "nice to have", it is needed.

Today, we want to introduce you to Frances Machattie, one of our talented graphic designers and illustrators, and share a bit about her experience working with us. Her story is a beautiful reflection of who we are behind the scenes, and how important wellbeing, flexibility, and collaboration are to our studio culture.

Image: Plenty of Stuff Studio mixes marketing magic with community, care, and creativity, meet Frances and discover our studio culture.

Meet Frances

Frances is originally from Sydney, Australia, and she has been with Plenty of Stuff Studio since shortly after graduating with a degree in graphic design and illustration. Her passion for design is clear; she has loved it since she was young and even had the chance to study abroad in Germany during university, an experience she says helped shape her both personally and creatively.

After travelling around Europe post-graduation, Frances realised that to break into the design world, she needed real-world experience. That is when she reached out to Plenty of Stuff, and we were lucky enough to have her join the team.

The first meeting: Nervous but encouraged

When Frances first heard she would be interviewing with both Tim Holt and Kiana DouglinKiana Douglin and Tim Holt, the directors of the marketing studio, she admits she freaked out a little. She told them,

"Every other interview I had been to was with someone less senior, never the directors. Since it is your company, your 'baby', I was really nervous logging onto that first Zoom call."

But she quickly felt at ease. We are proud to say that is exactly the vibe we want to create - welcoming, friendly, and low pressure. Kiana said,

"Although Tim and I are the directors, those titles do not put us above anyone else. We want everyone we work with, whether a client or colleague, to feel comfortable right from the start. The interview is not just about us judging the candidate, it is about making sure we are the right fit for each other."

Frances said something that really stuck with Kiana:

"I expected you guys to be much more serious. There is often this perception that people at the top are intimidating or unapproachable. But you were both so normal and genuine, it made the whole process feel way less stressful."

That was exactly the impression Tim Holt and Kiana DouglinKiana Douglin and Tim Holt hoped to give, because the truth is, they are just people, passionate about what they do and about creating a positive culture.

Kindness and encouragement at every step

One thing Frances emphasised was how kind and encouraging everyone has been throughout her time here. She said,

"You guys are so kind and so encouraging, and I really appreciated having that support. Starting out in a career can be daunting, going from university to a real-world studio environment where people are paying you to turn a design around is a big jump."

But Frances never felt like she was on her own.

"It was never like I was up against it or had no one to turn to. The team were always there, and the managers were so flexible around my other commitments, like freelance work, whether I was working in the studio or remotely. That flexibility made all the difference."

For any creatives reading this, Frances gives Plenty of Stuff Studio a 100 per cent recommendation, describing her time here as instrumental in helping her grow and understand how a studio operates. She learned not just design, but also how to talk to clients, handle setbacks, and navigate the realities of creative projects.

Flexibility, support, and space to grow

From day one, Frances experienced how we prioritise flexibility and wellbeing.

She told us,

"You have been so understanding about my other commitments and deadlines. Even when something was needed quickly, you never expected more than I could realistically deliver. It never felt overwhelming or like I was drowning in work."

That balance is something our leadership team feels very strongly about. Tim Holt and Kiana DouglinKiana Douglin and Tim Holt know what it is like to face crushing deadlines or unrealistic client demands, and that is why they make it a priority to push back when necessary and protect the mental health of everyone they work with. They are all about creating a studio where people feel valued and cared for, not stressed or burnt out.

After all, how can we preach work-life balance and then let people we work with feel swamped or overwhelmed?

Creating space for growth and learning is also key. Frances shared,

"Because it was not overwhelming, I had the capacity to really learn and develop. I was not just trying to figure things out while drowning in work, I could actually absorb and grow as I went along."

A true collaborative environment: Confidence to speak up

One of the most rewarding things about Frances's journey has been seeing her confidence blossom. She spoke about a valuable lesson that was reinforced while working with us:

"Your first idea is not always the best, and sometimes you need to go back and revise it. That is something I definitely learned at university, but I thought in a studio environment, I would not have much say, that I would just do what I was told."

What surprised her was how we actively invited her opinion:

"I would be asked, 'What do you think?' or 'How do you feel about this?' and that made me feel like I mattered. I could say, 'Maybe we should try this instead,' and they would say, 'Okay, let us give that a go!' That kind of openness gave me confidence to stand up for my ideas."

She added with a smile,

"Sometimes I was wrong, and I would be told, 'No, we need to do this instead,' but that was part of the learning process, and it was great to be heard."

For us, this is how the best ideas happen, when everyone feels safe to share their thoughts, no matter their role or experience level. It is about equal voices coming together to create something better than any one person could alone.

What Frances got involved with

During her time here, Frances has not just designed, she has been an all-round creative force. She has worked on logo redesigns, illustrations for various companies, and social media content, especially our own, where she enjoyed the freedom to experiment and create her own series like �Level up for design.�

Frances also tried her hand at copywriting, which was new for her. We believe in helping team members expand their skills beyond their specialism, understanding the whole project workflow makes collaboration smoother and sparks new ideas.

And a fun studio mascot?

Before we finish, Frances shared a fun little analogy that sums up our studio spirit perfectly:

"I imagine your mascot being like an owl, wise, but also a bit quirky and chaotic. There is an owl in the game Animal Crossing called Blathers who runs the museum. He is funny, a little eccentric, but also really knowledgeable. That is kind of how I picture your studio, wise and skilled, but with a playful, lively vibe."

We love that! A little quirky owl who knows their stuff, sounds just right!

Looking to the future

Sadly, Frances will soon be leaving Plenty of Stuff Studio to pursue her dream of working in London with a big agency she has always admired. While her departure is undoubtedly a loss for the studio, everyone is incredibly proud of the strong foundation she built during her time there. Her contributions have been invaluable, and the team wishes her nothing but success and happiness as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.

"Go get 'em, Frances!"

Why this matters

Frances's experience is exactly the kind of culture we want at Plenty of Stuff Studio. A culture that is welcoming, flexible, collaborative, and nurturing, where people can grow without feeling overwhelmed. It is about being human, valuing each other's wellbeing, and building a team that truly cares.

We are proud of the work we do, but even prouder of the environment we have created. Frances's story is a reminder that kindness and respect are not just buzzwords, they are what make a studio thrive.

If you are looking for a marketing studio that treats you like more than just a client or a number, and values the people behind the work, get in touch. We would love to chat.

Video: We would like to introduce you to Frances Machattie, one of our talented graphic designers and illustrators, and share a little about her experience working with us. Her story reflects who we are behind the scenes and highlights how much we value wellbeing, flexibility, and collaboration within our studio culture. Watch more useful videos on our YouTube channel.

Watch the full video interview with Frances on YouTube, head over to our YouTube to watch it.

Written by Kiana Douglin

Written on Thursday, 31 July 2025

Kiana Douglin

Director, Plenty of Stuff Studio

Kiana draws on years of marketing experience, playing a key role in helping businesses grow and launching startups with effective marketing strategies and operations. Her background combines marketing expertise with skills in sales and events. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in nature-hiking in the mountains, chasing waterfalls, and traveling the world-while her love for poetry and music fuels her creative spirit.

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