Leeds-based design agency Iconic, started just one year ago by 26-year-old entrepreneur Mia Sohel, is celebrating a profitable first year which has seen the agency grow to a team of four, revamp point of sale (POS) branding for retailer Poundland both in the UK and mainland Europe; and complete projects for a variety of Yorkshire-based businesses.
Iconic Design, which is based in north Leeds, works with a raft of clients including York-headquartered VetPartners which boasts over 260 veterinary practices across the UK, events specialist Ride My Tuk Tuk, award-winning pickle brand Love Pickle and Leeds-based skin clinic Skin-Tec. As well as working nationwide for Poundland, which has over 700 stores in the UK, the agency has also designed POS materials for the brand’s French and Spanish chain of Dealz stores.
The agency delivers graphic design, artwork and branding and prides itself on direct client relationships, cost effective and streamlined design solutions. From building websites to creating instore POS, Iconic has worked with FMCGs, retail and corporate brands in its first year; gaining business through referrals and word-of-mouth.
Sandip Gillar, store marketing manager at Poundland, said: “I first started using Iconic Design right at the beginning of their journey for my own business, Ride My Tuk Tuk. Mia worked closely with me to launch the brand from scratch and created the website in just four weeks, even working late into the night to ensure my deadlines were met. Since then, I have always used Iconic for any design or artwork requirements for both my business and for Poundland, where Mia and her team create the artwork for all store POS.”
Mia Sohel, founder and creative director of Iconic Design, said: “I founded Iconic because I wanted to build an agency which would do things differently. For starters, we don’t charge handling fees which add no value to the final product, instead we connect brilliant designers directly to our amazing clients. We have created a business which understands its clients and the values which they live and breathe, and we thrive on creating work which surpasses expectations. This approach is proving extremely effective and I’m proud that we have been able to grow the business and deliver a profit within our first year.”
Founder Mia Sohel spotted a gap in the market whilst working at leading Leeds agency Us&Them with creative directors Rick Ward and Pete Camponi.
Rick Ward, creative director, said: “I’d like to congratulate Mia on her first year as Iconic Design. It’s never easy making the decision to set up your own business, so it makes me proud to know that we spotted her potential at Us&Them. She always had an eye for detail, and a talent for making things look beautiful so it’s no surprise to me that Iconic is a great success.”
In the coming years, Mia is looking forward to moving her design and branding agency up into an even higher gear, attracting new clients and growing her team.
