STUDIO PERKS:
INSIDE CAREERS AND CULTURE AT ELICYON
STUDIO PERKS:
INSIDE CAREERS AND CULTURE AT ELICYON
At Elicyon, we believe that a successful career in interior design, architecture or project management is a direct result of where you learn your craft and how supported, inspired and valued you feel there. That’s why we have created a studio culture where our core values – purpose, craft, context and care – are at the forefront of everything we do. We believe that creativity is not just fuelled by design, but by working in an inspiring and supportive environment, and we want to foster the next generation of great design talent here, within our own practice. Our culture is integral to this, shaping not only how we work but also how we grow as a team and as individuals. In many ways, it echoes our defining principle, that we approach our global practice with a local mindset.
Together in Practice: A Studio-Centric Design Environment
For us, the best way to do this is to be together, to learn from each other and inspire each other. Design is not a one-person process, and nothing works in a silo. Instead, it’s a collaborative art form, one that requires the sharing of ideas. As a studio-centric business, we work in the office three days a week, spending two at home for a balance of flexibility and face-to-face interaction.
Flexible Working Hours That Reflect Real Life
Every individual within the practice is different, that’s one of the reasons why we work together so well. Recognising this, we offer flexible hours to accommodate individual circumstances, whether related to travel, childcare or lifestyle, while maintaining the structure that supports a productive and cohesive studio environment. While the core hours of the business are from 10 am to 5 pm, you can start from 8 am or finish at 7 pm depending on what best suits you. If you do need help with childcare, then we also have a workplace nursery scheme that you can explore, which will help you to save money on tax and national insurance and significantly reduce the cost.
Alex McCluskey – Senior Project Architect
"The balance between flexible working hours and a close-knit team allows us to bring our best selves to work. It’s empowering to know that I can focus on my craft while still managing life outside the studio."
Balancing Studio Time with Seasonal Rhythms
In June, July and August, we finish at 1.5 hours early on a Friday, to hopefully make the most of the British summertime. While at Christmas, subject to workload, the studio is closed between Christmas and the first working day in the New Year. It’s our Christmas gift to you. We also offer a 21-day holiday allowance, which increases by one extra day a year once you’ve been with us for two years, as a way of saying thank you.
Creating Space for Wellness and Growth
At Elicyon, we believe that we do our best work when we feel comfortable sharing ideas and inspiring one another, so it’s essential to us that we feel bonded as a team. Of course, a lot of this comes from working alongside one another day to day, and from the cross-pollination between our three disciplines, as it’s important these merge and inform one another to create our most considered work. But we also like to spend time together out of the office. From celebrating project completions with lunches, to payday Prosecco (and sodas!) on the last Thursday of the month, there’s more to life at Elicyon than work. Employee well-being is high on our agenda, so we also provide free access to a virtual therapist, as well as complimentary access to a local gym.
Being in a new environment often brings fresh perspectives, and there’s no denying that travel broadens the mind. We know that people like to work remotely from time to time, which is why we allow three days a year for this (keeping to UK business hours). Another way to broaden horizons and renew motivation is through a sabbatical, an option that we recently introduced for employees who have been with us for two years or more. Whether it’s travelling the world, learning a new skill or honing your eye in other ways, there is no denying that the benefits of some time away are invaluable to both the individual and the company. To us, it’s a win-win, a way of supporting long-term growth and avoiding stasis, a lack of inspiration or complacency.
Daisy Rae – Project Manager
"At Elicyon, every day brings new opportunities to grow and learn. The leadership’s commitment to our development, paired with the freedom to innovate, is what makes our work so fulfilling."
Building Culture Through Recognition
Being rewarded for doing a great job is an important way to feel valued, which is why we operate an annual bonus scheme. We encourage employees to set objectives with their line manager in Annual Reviews each October, so that we can work together towards our shared goals for the success of the studio. Another great incentive? After five years, you’re treated to a trip to Paris, with two Eurostar tickets and two nights in a hotel for two during the week, with no holiday days necessary.
For us, the Studio Culture that we have created at Elicyon is central to why we have been so successful, attracting incredible design talent who are continuously growing and developing alongside each other. Truly great design is a continuous process of collaboration, that’s why nurturing and supporting our own employees is so important to us. Without them, we can’t do our best work.
Emma Weaver - Marketing Manager
"I truly believe that the best work happens when people feel empowered and connected. Elicyon fosters an environment where we are encouraged to grow, explore new ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible."
If you’re inspired by our approach and see yourself thriving in our collaborative, design-led environment, we’d love to hear from you. Explore our current opportunities, learn more about life at Elicyon and apply via HIYA!