Ep. 058 – Clinton Campbell of Studio MUTI – From T-Shirt Label to Global Studio, Scattergories, and Low-Ego Leadership

Illustration is supposed to be a solo sport. One person, one style, one desk. So how does a studio at the bottom of Africa keep a whole team of illustrators working under one name for fifteen years without the egos getting in the way? In this episode, we talk with Clinton Campbell, co-founder and creative director of MUTI in Cape Town, South Africa. Clint tells us how MUTI grew out of a streetwear label he started with his brother, and why the early internet mattered so much when your clients are half a world away. Underneath it is a story about building a creative business that actually works, both financially and as a place talented people want to stay. Part studio tour, part cooking show, and part three people trying to talk over a very long internet delay (don't worry, we edited the delays out). In this episode, we talk about: How a streetwear label became MUTI and what those early years taught him about making creative work that also pays the bills. The rule that kept plants, toys, and photos off every desk at MUTI until a talented new illustrator brought in his wedding photo and the floodgates opened. Redesigning Scattergories, including the “just have fun” pitch he was surprised the client picked, and why so many classic brands keep getting redrawn. Why in-person conferences feel like the antidote to a design internet that has gotten more competitive, more critical, and more anxious about AI. The chef's presses a friend carried over from the States plus Christmas cards that arrive in July and Churchill, the internet-famous studio cat. Whether you run a studio, want to start one, or just like hearing how good creative places actually work, this one reminds us that the best teams run on trust, not rules. Even the rule about plants. ABOUT THE CREATIVE Clinton Campbell is an illustrator, creative director, and co-founder of MUTI, a creative studio in Cape Town, South Africa. He grew up in Durban, studied graphic design in Stellenbosch, and started MUTI in 2011 with Miné Day. Brad Hodgskiss joined as the third founding partner in 2013. The studio's illustrators and designers make everything from lettering and icons to digital painting and animation. Their clients include Google, Nike, Apple, Airbnb, Uber, TIME, and National Geographic. When he isn't drawing, Clint is probably cooking. He cooks at home, and his favorite kitchen gear includes a set of chef's presses and some made-in-the-USA baking trays. Website https://studiomuti.co.za Instagram https://www.instagram.com/studiomuti Join the Creative Slash Newsletter and Get the 5-Part “Off the Record” email series FREE Click here to get the five-part “Off the Record” email series Note: If you're looking for hard-earned advice, resources from top creatives, and the products they can't live without, you're going to love this. Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like PBS Kids, Ford, Target, and USPS. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. View Brave the Woods Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. View RetroSupply Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright Cover art: Brad Woodard Intro animation: Seth Austin Intro music: “Snakes and Fire” (Instrumental) by Pär Hagström