Introducing Cave Studio, the “design allegiance” championing stylistic open-mindedness

Cave Studio is a new design practice headed by Dennis McInnes and George Edge. Meeting through mutual friends and discovering their shared design sensibilities, the duo have spent the past year fine tuning the studio, before officially launching in late May. What most defines their collaboration – or, as they fittingly refer to it “design allegiance” – is their dedication to being “open minded about a style or execution”, Dennis says. Naturally, this has led to projects full of depth and exploration. “We like to ask how something came to be? How can it evolve? And how does it live on after we’re done?”

While Dennis and George are designers in the “traditional” sense, they set themselves on finding “how design can fit into positions that maybe aren’t always the graphic designer's role”. This includes explorations in textiles, collage or abstract art. “Being fluid between these spaces allows a sense of freedom when in combination with more practical and rule-defined typography or layout,” Dennis says. In line with this practice, the duo tell us that they source inspiration for their work in their shared interests outside of a “direct design lens”. From signage, old cinema, geographic guides, academic textbooks and even visual poetry.