By Carla Jörgens
When I joined wonnd a little less than a year ago, I envisioned celebrating my one-year anniversary in September. As my personal journey evolves and I have decided to conclude my time at wonnd slightly sooner than planned, I find myself looking back with immense gratitude for the insights gained. It’s been a privilege to be part of this small agency with a sharp mind and a warm heart. In these past months, we’ve moved between strategy and storytelling, exhibitions and innovation systems, branding and editorials. But what’s shaped me the most has less to do with the projects themselves and more to do with the way we approach them.
Here are a few things I’ve learned in the heat, the calm, and the many conversations of my time here.
1. The brief is never the whole story.
One of the first lessons I learned here is that our job rarely starts with the answer. It starts with the question behind the question. At wonnd, we approach every brief with curiosity, not just compliance. We ask, we listen, we reframe. Because often, what a client needs is not what they initially ask for, and finding that out is part of the work.
2. Strategy is personal.
Strategy isn’t abstract here. It’s human. I’ve seen how decisions about brand, business, or culture often stem from emotion, context, or conviction. And in that space, trust becomes essential. I’ve learned that listening is an active act, a strategic tool. One that allows us to shape ideas that are grounded and resonant.
3. Design is translation, not decoration.
Working across formats — from exhibitions to reports to identities — I’ve learned that design is never just visual. It’s how we translate complexity into clarity. Every colour, word, layout, or material choice is an act of meaning-making. At wonnd, design helps things make sense — not just look good.
4. Process over pace.
In a world that often glorifies speed and output, this studio moves with intention. I’ve learned to value the loops, the pauses, the unexpected turns. Here, process is something to honour because it’s in that space where the strongest ideas emerge.
5. Small agency, big scope.
Even though we’re a small core team, our close-knit network of collaborators allows us to tackle ambitious projects – from working with CERN, co-designing tools for public institutions, developing strategies for foodtech startups, and telling stories that matter. I’ve learned that thinking wide has little to do with headcount and everything to do with vision.
6. Relevance is alignment.
What makes a project meaningful? A common question here. I’ve learned that relevance doesn’t mean being trendy — it means being true. To context, to culture, to intention. Finding that alignment between what’s needed and what’s meaningful, and what makes good design last.
7. Kindness is a creative tool.
And maybe the biggest surprise: kindness isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a way of working. I’ve seen how calm collaboration, honest feedback, and mutual care create space for risk-taking and deeper ideas. At wonnd, kindness fuels creativity.
When I walked into this agency, I found a place that thinks strategically, designs thoughtfully, and works collaboratively. As I close this chapter, I remain incredibly grateful for the experience and the lessons.
To the team, to the collaborators, to the clients, and to the many conversations that shaped me — thank you. This isn’t a goodbye, but rather a ‘see you around.’ I’m eager to watch wonnd continue to thrive and look forward to exploring future collaborations.
