One month ago on a balmy night in early July, we gathered at the Lantern Hall in Bristol Beacon to welcome three speakers whose creative practice is powered by passion and purpose (yes, that word). Or so we thought. But actually, it was about so much more than that. As a team of volunteers, we were blown away by how the evening unfolded and by how much it moved, inspired and impacted us.
It was the night we didn’t know we needed.
The idea behind Substance came from us feeling like there’s a collective sense of uncertainty and powerlessness right now. Yet, when we feel strongly about an issue or a cause, that’s when the creative good stuff comes; it’s those moments when our best work can surface. Take handmade posters on a march for example – some of the best copywriting this country has seen. We wanted to hear from people who aren’t afraid to speak up and use their voice. Creatives who look beyond colour palettes, typefaces and kerning, using their platform to educate, raise awareness, challenge injustice and (hopefully) challenge mindsets and behaviours. Without a doubt, they did all of that, and more on July 2nd.
Reflecting back on it now, the best bits were the unscripted moments – the off-the-cuff hilarity, the candid honesty and the undeniable bromance that unfolded between our headline speakers over the course of the evening. Yes, a podcast between Barrington and Pali is on the cards. Full disclosure, we hadn’t sold out this evening, possibly down to the timing post Glasto, but the jazz club layout made it feel special, almost like a secret club during prohibition era. Appropriately, it was a night of anything goes – from f‑bombs, stupid stories, and clients outed as terrorists.
First-up, we welcomed Laure Rees-Smith, a Bristol-based freelance Creative Director and Illustrator who uses bold, human-first design to drive positive change. She talked us through her work for C40 Cities, where she led a brand refresh and developed a suite of vibrant illustrations that brought a rich personality to the organisation’s events, website, and social channels. Her love of illustration was evident as she explained how she uses it to visualise ideas that don’t yet exist, make technical content feel human, and add emotional depth to data-driven stories. She finished with the assertion that being bold has never been more needed and worth it in today’s world.
Next to take the stage was our first headline speaker, Pali Palavathanan, Founder and Creative Director of TEMPLO, a cause-led branding and communications agency committed to using the positive power of design for social change. From the minute he hit the stage,his energy, wit and humanity was palpable. He talked about his experience as a child refugee, and how it has shaped his creative approach and the way he works at TEMPLO. We saw a snapshot of purpose-driven work for the UN, the Mayor of London’s Climate Change Committee and the Venice Biennale 2025. And notably, he shared the joy, playfulness and deep thinking that went into the recent GF Smith Papers rebrand.
This work demonstrated the power of brand, and its ability to bring unexpected delight and joy to an otherwise dry industry. We heard about the on-going feedback their work for GF Smith has attracted and the more toxic nature of our industry. Pali spoke of being ‘awake’ not ‘woke’ and referenced the importance of decolonisation in design and language – for example their renaming the Color Plan China White paper to Limestone White, and we heard about Brian Collins and his love of ‘stupid’.
Pali’s humanity and resilience was so very welcome. As he himself said in a recent Instagram post: “the most powerful storytelling doesn’t come from a brief, it comes from life. And when it’s rooted in something real, it has the power to connect, challenge and create change.”
Last up, we welcomed Barrington Reeves, Founder and Creative Director of Glasgow agency, Too Gallus. In the studio, he leads on strategy, design and visualisation for world-leading brands such as Chanel, Royal Enfield, Pandora and Nike. Beyond the agency, he cultivates grassroots culture with a residency in Sub Club, the world’s longest-standing electronic music club, creating a diverse and accessible space to bring world-leading artists and DJs, and advocates for more equal and equitable creative industries through his work with Black Lives Matter Scotland.
Both the contrast and the connection between Barrington and Pali was a beautiful thing.
Barrington’s ballsy and gutsy energy made sense of his studio name (Gallus meaning bold, daring and reckless – apparently how his Scottish granny described him as a kid). Bringing high-octane energy from start to finish, Barrington shared his story, what drives him and what he believes in. After taking us through what can only be described as a beauty parade of work for clients spanning Chanel, Bioma, and Pandora, he shared his approach candidly.
He talked about turning risk into power to leave a lasting legacy, saying he’s less design and more activist with an essence rooted in doing whatever the fuck he wants in whatever way he feels like. It was a raw, and honest sharing of who he is, what he stands for and how he got there. A blend of cool bravado and youthful vulnerability, it was inspiring to witness confidence with compassion and through it all, Barrington’s focused and commercially savvy mind shone through. With an impressive portfolio of global brands under their belt, Too Gallus are definitely punching yet resolute on holding onto their Glasgow roots. This belief in decentralising design away from London was a key theme in his talk, and left us with much to think about.
Playful, real, soulful, seen, and respectful, both Pali and Barrington were absolute gentlemen, reading the room and engaging with those on stage and in the audience.
The Q&A brilliantly hosted by Natty and Helen, felt like a conversation between pals. No topic felt too deep and sharing different opinions was welcomed – it was human and lacked perfection. The atmosphere afterwards was electric. From representation and using your gut to micro-dosing and appreciating ‘stupid’, we covered a lot of ground. It was clear that irrespective of their journeys and life experiences, nothing could get in the way of their belief in what they do and how they do it. Most of all, the connection between the speakers and the audience was a beautiful thing – leaving us all feeling warmed and united as we stepped back out into a sunny Bristol evening.
Oh, and for the record, kebabs and negronis are a banging combination.