Their future is focussed on expanding their creative reach, especially with the Cape Town office driving their strategy and graphic design innovation. This move furthers their expansion South, taking their brand thinking into the digital sphere. They are also undertaking new global duty-free locations in major airports and cruise ships, alongside various shopping center interior renovations within the region, and collaborating with visionary partners across beauty, wellness, and retail sectors.

FROM START TO SUCCESS

Carla Conte’s journey is defined by ambition, vision, and purpose. She became Creative Director at Watt International in Toronto before 28 and founded her own agency by 31. At 37, she was named a Top 40 under 40 Global Retail Designer while embracing motherhood and balancing an award-winning career. Today, as Founder and Creative Director of Brand Creative, she leads with empathy, vision, and inspiration, transforming brands and spaces globally.

THE ROAD AHEAD

At Brand Creative, their long-term vision is to grow strategically across international markets, with their Dubai, India, and Cape Town offices pioneering new opportunities and perspectives. They are expanding their focus on holistic branding, ensuring every project fulfills the human experience. As the industry evolves toward experiential, sustainable, and digitally integrated environments, they aim to lead with innovation while establishing Brand Creative as a global benchmark for design excellence.

Leading with Impact

Carla leads with a combination of tenacity, empathy, and bold vision. Her philosophy is rooted in using design to guide the user experience by engaging both the intellect (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ) of consumers. From international accolades to local achievements, her work continues to push branded boundaries, inspiring the next generation of designers and architects to think beyond the ordinary, creating spaces that are both functional and emotionally resonant.

PROJECTS

THAT DEFINE EXCELLENCE Aroya Cruise Liner, Jeddah Duty Free, and Forma embody the studio’s ethos of culturally rooted, forward-thinking design. From Aroya’s maritime interiors merging Saudi heritage with IMO-compliant principles, to Jeddah Duty Free’s retail innovation and Vision 2030 alignment, and Forma’s art-driven culinary space fusing Italian and Arabic influences in the Al Safa Art & Design Library—each project honours tradition and embraces innovation, setting new benchmarks in luxury, sustainability, and creative expression.