Inside the Studio: What Culture Really Means at Bell&Swift
At Bell&Swift, design is a team sport—and so is culture. From the very beginning, we’ve been clear on what drives us: to create spaces of value to our clients and their guests. That mission underpins everything we do, including how we show up as a team.
We’ve never been interested in top-down hierarchies or rigid systems. Instead, we’ve created a culture rooted in ambition, creativity, authenticity, quality, and—above all—teamwork. It’s a place where people feel trusted, supported, and inspired. Where autonomy isn’t just allowed—it’s encouraged. And collaboration is the foundation of how we work. We’re a diverse team—bringing together different ages, genders, and nationalities, including Indian, Mexican, and American backgrounds. Together, our different backgrounds bring fresh thinking, richer ideas, and more meaningful results.
A Small Studio with Big Purpose
We’re a small team, intentionally so. That allows us to stay agile, personal, and human. You won’t find layers of bureaucracy here. What you will find is a dynamic, talented group of individuals empowered to lead, create, and shape their own journey. Ambition fuels our design philosophy—and our studio culture too. We expect high standards of ourselves because we take pride in doing things the right way.
A Culture of Autonomy—and Accountability
Everyone at Bell&Swift owns their work. We trust our team to manage their time, shape their projects, and speak up when they have ideas—or concerns. Our flexible hours reflect that trust. Whether you start your day at 8am or 10am, the focus is always on delivering high-quality design outcomes, not clock-watching.
But autonomy doesn’t mean isolation. Our studio-based setup means we’re in regular collaboration—sharing ideas over coffee, solving problems around a whiteboard, and building together.
Learning by Doing—From Day One
We believe in learning through action. That’s why everyone is involved in projects from concept to completion —site meetings, client briefings, design development, you name it. Whether you’re presenting concepts or navigating a challenge, you're supported to grow with real responsibility. Because for us, authenticity means giving people the trust and opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
“There’s a genuine culture of collaboration here,” says our Interior Designer Helen Byrne. “Everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas, no matter their role or experience. That openness fuels creativity and makes the studio feel like a really supportive space to work.”
Career development here isn’t a one-size-fits-all path—it’s something we explore together, based on what matters to you. We actively look at what’s important to each person: Where do you want to go? What skills do you want to build? How can we help you get there?
Helen describes; “The studio is great at creating opportunities for development in a really organic way. Whether it's being trusted to take the lead on part of a project, getting exposure to different design phases, or learning directly for my senior designers I feel like I am constantly learning both personally and professionally. During my time at Bell&Swift, I have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, and I feel supported and encouraged to develop professionally and gain confidence within the design process”.
From Welcome to Weekly Catch-Ups
When someone joins Bell&Swift, they’re not just dropped in the deep end. Our induction process is thoughtfully designed to help new starters feel welcome, understand how we work, and start contributing at their own pace. From day one, the leadership team is involved—because clear communication and genuine support matter here.
Here’s how our summer intern, Jasmine, described her first few days with us; “From day one, I felt really comfortable joining Bell&Swift. Everyone has been incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made a big difference in helping me settle in. During the induction, Dawn took the time to go through everything with me in detail and answered all of my questions. It was really informative and helped me understand not just the day-to-day workings, but also what makes the company so special. The first day really set a positive tone for my experience here”.
Reflecting on our team culture, Jasmine adds; “What's impressed me the most is how supportive and collaborative the team is. It's clear that everyone genuinely cares about the work we do and about helping each other grow. The level of creativity and professionalism within the team is really inspiring, and I've already learned so much just from being in this environment. Its exciting to be part of a company that values both design excellence and a positive team culture”.
And it doesn’t stop after week one. Every week, the whole team gathers for our Brew&Brief—a relaxed studio check-in over coffee. It’s our space to stay connected, flag where support is needed, and share the highs and lows of the week. Sometimes it’s project updates; sometimes it’s a chance to say, “I’m feeling a bit stuck,” or “I’ve had an idea—want to hear it?”
As our Interior Designer Claire McDermott puts it: “Teamwork and open, clear communication is key at Bell&Swift. We don’t shy away from challenges but see these as opportunities to learn and grow as a team and as individual designers. We care a lot about detail and quality, always striving to ensure our output is the highest standard it can be, so sharing knowledge with each other is essential. This collaborative approach to projects allows us to support one and other to achieve our mission; to create spaces of value to our clients and their guests”.
A Culture Driven by Values
The culture at Bell&Swift isn’t accidental—it’s something we build with care, every day. It’s grounded in our values:
Ambition that drives us to raise the bar on every project.
Creativity that makes our work distinct, thoughtful, and tailored to each client.
Authenticity that shapes how we communicate—with our clients and each other.
Quality that we uphold in both our process and outcomes.
And above all, Team, because we believe great design happens when people come together with respect, humility, and shared vision.
For our Interior Designer Rajasvi Singh, that culture feels different to anywhere she’s worked before:
“It’s a workplace where individual strengths are not only recognised but celebrated, and where brainstorming and problem-solving feel like a shared adventure. We listen, we appreciate each other’s perspectives, and we build together. It’s not just about getting to the final product, it’s about enjoying the process, and watching our collective ideas come to life in a way that’s both fulfilling and exciting!”.
We’re proud of the work we create. But we’re equally proud of how we create it—together, with intention, integrity, and a shared sense of purpose.
As we grow, we remain committed to that culture. Because we believe that great design starts with people who feel seen, heard, and inspired.