We work with bold teams at pivotal moments — launches, shifts, paradigm changes — to build brands that move at the speed of ambition. From identity to campaign to product, we bring clarity to complex ideas — and the creative horsepower to drive what happens next.
We help you build
Clarity
We untangle the complicated. Through strategic rigor and systems thinking, we help brands express their boldest ideas with precision and intent.
Momentum
We help teams move fast and smart at critical inflection points—from first launches to breakout moments. Our work builds the momentum to accelerate what happens next.
Cultural weight
We don’t chase trends. We build brands that shape markets, move culture, and scale across the world.
Casey Martin
Founder / ECD
Once when asked to explain his approach to design, Casey stood up, bent his knees, focused his eyes on the ground, and mimed a slow steady golf swing. When asked to elaborate, he headed to the kitchen and began preparing J. Kenji-Lopez Alt’s recipe for late night tortilla jian bing. When asked to put his answer in words, he replied “Excuse me for a sec” and left the room. Moments later he reappeared in a wetsuit with surfboard in hand and said, “Design is so simple. That’s why it’s so complicated. That’s Paul Rand.” And that’s Casey.
Once when asked to explain his approach to design, Casey stood up, bent his knees, focused his eyes on the ground, and mimed a slow steady golf swing. When asked to elaborate, he headed to the kitchen and began preparing J. Kenji-Lopez Alt’s recipe for late night tortilla jian bing. When asked to put his answer in words, he replied “Excuse me for a sec” and left the room. Moments later he reappeared in a wetsuit with surfboard in hand and said, “Design is so simple. That’s why it’s so complicated. That’s Paul Rand.” And that’s Casey.
Owen Cramp
Creative Director
In Owen’s perfect world, there would be no war or suffering. But also, swordfish would find more use cases for their swords. Like picking up trash from the ocean floor or conducting orchestras. Popcorn would be served in bottles. Allowing us to tilt our heads back, open our mouths and enjoy movies without falling victim to greasy finger syndrome. Mannequins would be outlawed. Or at least redesigned to look 1000% less creepy. Lastly, in Owen’s perfect world, he’d find time to finally finish reading Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood.
In Owen’s perfect world, there would be no war or suffering. But also, swordfish would find more use cases for their swords. Like picking up trash from the ocean floor or conducting orchestras. Popcorn would be served in bottles. Allowing us to tilt our heads back, open our mouths and enjoy movies without falling victim to greasy finger syndrome. Mannequins would be outlawed. Or at least redesigned to look 1000% less creepy. Lastly, in Owen’s perfect world, he’d find time to finally finish reading Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood.
Nic Dray
Managing Director
If you want to upset Nic, offer him a Starbucks Grande latte. The man is admittedly a coffee snob. He likes his java like his biking apparel—BOLD. Making Nic a self-declared MAMIL (Middle-Aged Man In Lycra). Often seen on weekends cycling about Marin’s Paradise Loop. Perhaps reminiscing about the summer he spent in his 20s DJing in Ibiza. Or simply thinking about anything other than snakes, sharks or cruise ships. Nic is afraid of all three. So cross them off your list of gift ideas for Nic, which you’ve no doubt started now that you know Nic.
If you want to upset Nic, offer him a Starbucks Grande latte. The man is admittedly a coffee snob. He likes his java like his biking apparel—BOLD. Making Nic a self-declared MAMIL (Middle-Aged Man In Lycra). Often seen on weekends cycling about Marin’s Paradise Loop. Perhaps reminiscing about the summer he spent in his 20s DJing in Ibiza. Or simply thinking about anything other than snakes, sharks or cruise ships. Nic is afraid of all three. So cross them off your list of gift ideas for Nic, which you’ve no doubt started now that you know Nic.
Simon Blanckensee
Design Director
If you’d like to know more about Simon, don’t hesitate to give him a call at +61 47 822 1330. He’s never given anyone his number before. But figured this would be a good place to try. Also he’s in Australia, so he asks that you please be respectful of the time difference.
If you’d like to know more about Simon, don’t hesitate to give him a call at +61 47 822 1330. He’s never given anyone his number before. But figured this would be a good place to try. Also he’s in Australia, so he asks that you please be respectful of the time difference.
Marc Hill
Design Director
Marc excels at entertaining himself. And on occasion, others. In his formative years, he rose to fame designing posters for random Facebook events. Ask to see his work for the March 2013 San Jose guineafowl meetup. Nowadays, Marc enjoys dabbling in writing jingles for products that don’t yet exist. Ask to hear the one he did for Jujubeans. While you’re at it, ask him why some days he wears his dad’s wedding ring. It’s not what you’re thinking. In the future, Marc hopes to gain the patience required to learn embroidery.
Marc excels at entertaining himself. And on occasion, others. In his formative years, he rose to fame designing posters for random Facebook events. Ask to see his work for the March 2013 San Jose guineafowl meetup. Nowadays, Marc enjoys dabbling in writing jingles for products that don’t yet exist. Ask to hear the one he did for Jujubeans. While you’re at it, ask him why some days he wears his dad’s wedding ring. It’s not what you’re thinking. In the future, Marc hopes to gain the patience required to learn embroidery.
Rocío Delgado
Senior Producer
Rocío is a calendar genie. For eight hours a day, she effortlessly floats alongside her computer screen, magically scheduling meetings that could never be emails. Sometimes she contemplates redesigning the calendar to have 13 months, each starting on Sunday and lasting 28 days. Rocío also enjoys pondering the many wonders of nature. The mountains and trees and hopefully not the discarded packaging of the luxury popcorn brand she once designed. Rocío hopes you’ll find time in your calendar to recycle.
Rocío is a calendar genie. For eight hours a day, she effortlessly floats alongside her computer screen, magically scheduling meetings that could never be emails. Sometimes she contemplates redesigning the calendar to have 13 months, each starting on Sunday and lasting 28 days. Rocío also enjoys pondering the many wonders of nature. The mountains and trees and hopefully not the discarded packaging of the luxury popcorn brand she once designed. Rocío hopes you’ll find time in your calendar to recycle.
Keira Danehy
Senior Producer
Keira is very anti-raisin. In her view, the world doesn’t need them. Grapes are fine. If she ever learns to cook, you won’t find them in her cuisine. Nor will you find them in the incredible home she built for her penguin in Club Penguin. Ask to see it and Keira will gladly show you. Then she'll probably move on to pics of her dog. Then her rings. And if you’re very lucky, she might take you through her prized collection of her grandmother’s blazers. All in perfect condition. Not a raisin wrinkle in the bunch.
Keira is very anti-raisin. In her view, the world doesn’t need them. Grapes are fine. If she ever learns to cook, you won’t find them in her cuisine. Nor will you find them in the incredible home she built for her penguin in Club Penguin. Ask to see it and Keira will gladly show you. Then she'll probably move on to pics of her dog. Then her rings. And if you’re very lucky, she might take you through her prized collection of her grandmother’s blazers. All in perfect condition. Not a raisin wrinkle in the bunch.
Madison Bencomo
Senior Producer
Madison is never afraid to dream big. Someday she’s going to live underwater. Deep beneath the clear blue seas that border Pandora. Yep, the fictional island nation from Avatar. Where the waters are so pristine you needn’t ever worry about stepping barefoot on discarded prophylactics. Huzzah! Saying goodbye to her native NorCal won’t be easy. Abandoning the beloved hillside hiking trails of Mt. Tam. And her cherished collection of German rieslings. But Madison knows sacrifice is often required to make the truly great stuff happen.
Madison is never afraid to dream big. Someday she’s going to live underwater. Deep beneath the clear blue seas that border Pandora. Yep, the fictional island nation from Avatar. Where the waters are so pristine you needn’t ever worry about stepping barefoot on discarded prophylactics. Huzzah! Saying goodbye to her native NorCal won’t be easy. Abandoning the beloved hillside hiking trails of Mt. Tam. And her cherished collection of German rieslings. But Madison knows sacrifice is often required to make the truly great stuff happen.
Jaime Patino-Calvo
Sr. Interaction Designer
Jaime is Play’s resident UX/UI master. He designs and builds websites, interactive prototypes and countless to-do lists. When he forgets to make a to-do list, he gets very, very irritated. Not rip-off-your-shirt-and-turn-green irritated. But tear-a-sheet-of-paper-in-two-and-make-that-to-do list-you-forgot irritated. We should all be inspired by Jamie’s inimitable composure and dedication to greatness.
Jaime is Play’s resident UX/UI master. He designs and builds websites, interactive prototypes and countless to-do lists. When he forgets to make a to-do list, he gets very, very irritated. Not rip-off-your-shirt-and-turn-green irritated. But tear-a-sheet-of-paper-in-two-and-make-that-to-do list-you-forgot irritated. We should all be inspired by Jamie’s inimitable composure and dedication to greatness.
Sammy Al-Asmar
Designer
Sammy may be the youngest designer on staff. But he’s by no means the greenest. Though it was his need for green that led him to a career in graphic design. Deep in debt from losing thousands of bets incorrectly guessing the weights of newborn babies, Sammy was forced to make the ultimate bet. Either pay off his debts creating brand identities the likes of which the design world has never seen, or live the rest of his life under an assumed identity. Don’t screw this up, Sammy.
Sammy may be the youngest designer on staff. But he’s by no means the greenest. Though it was his need for green that led him to a career in graphic design. Deep in debt from losing thousands of bets incorrectly guessing the weights of newborn babies, Sammy was forced to make the ultimate bet. Either pay off his debts creating brand identities the likes of which the design world has never seen, or live the rest of his life under an assumed identity. Don’t screw this up, Sammy.
Elise Garcia
Designer
Elise dreams of owning a home someday. A sweet little wooded cottage like the one the Celestial Seasonings’ Sleepytime Bear lives in. Okay, not a replica. Elise wants that bear’s actual house. Which might be why she also wants to become conversant with animals. Then she could negotiate a sale with the bear. Out he’d go with his cozy green armchair. And in Elise would move, with her extensive library of furniture design books and prized Ekornes “Montana” chair. Eventually she’d like to design and build her own chair. But one dream at a time.
Elise dreams of owning a home someday. A sweet little wooded cottage like the one the Celestial Seasonings’ Sleepytime Bear lives in. Okay, not a replica. Elise wants that bear’s actual house. Which might be why she also wants to become conversant with animals. Then she could negotiate a sale with the bear. Out he’d go with his cozy green armchair. And in Elise would move, with her extensive library of furniture design books and prized Ekornes “Montana” chair. Eventually she’d like to design and build her own chair. But one dream at a time.
Kelly Ma
Designer
If Kelly had a catchphrase, it would be “I am so hungry.” She says it a lot. But not always in reference to food. Kelly’s hungry for a language that would let humans converse with animals, specifically cats. She’s hungry for sleeves in used books that would invite you to leave notes for the next reader. Mmm…notes. And Kelly’s always hungry to listen to “A Town With an Ocean View” from her favorite Ghibli movie, Kiki’s Delivery Service. Whenever she hears it, she whispers her other would-be catchphrase “This is so yummy.”
If Kelly had a catchphrase, it would be “I am so hungry.” She says it a lot. But not always in reference to food. Kelly’s hungry for a language that would let humans converse with animals, specifically cats. She’s hungry for sleeves in used books that would invite you to leave notes for the next reader. Mmm…notes. And Kelly’s always hungry to listen to “A Town With an Ocean View” from her favorite Ghibli movie, Kiki’s Delivery Service. Whenever she hears it, she whispers her other would-be catchphrase “This is so yummy.”
Xiaoxue Meng
Motion Designer
When asked to describe her job, Xiaoxue said, “I infuse static images with life.” When asked to name her biggest creative influence, Xiaoxue said, “My hairless cat Woody.” When asked if she fears being replaced by AI, Xiaoxue said, “No, I fear living in a world not ruled by cats.” When asked to elaborate why, Woody interrupted and placed his left paw over Xiaoxue’s lips. A perfectly inspired animated response that explains why Xiaoxue is such a master of her craft.
When asked to describe her job, Xiaoxue said, “I infuse static images with life.” When asked to name her biggest creative influence, Xiaoxue said, “My hairless cat Woody.” When asked if she fears being replaced by AI, Xiaoxue said, “No, I fear living in a world not ruled by cats.” When asked to elaborate why, Woody interrupted and placed his left paw over Xiaoxue’s lips. A perfectly inspired animated response that explains why Xiaoxue is such a master of her craft.
David Schermer
Copywriter
When Play needs things written (like these bios) they often ask David. He will then ask his dog Clarence if he thinks he can do it. His dog won’t understand what he’s asking. Leaving David no choice but to start writing. It’s a fairly scientific process. One he learned from his mentor, a typing chimpanzee.
When Play needs things written (like these bios) they often ask David. He will then ask his dog Clarence if he thinks he can do it. His dog won’t understand what he’s asking. Leaving David no choice but to start writing. It’s a fairly scientific process. One he learned from his mentor, a typing chimpanzee.
Global perspectives. Local precision. World-class work.
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San Francisco
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Brooklyn, NY
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Capabilities
Brand
Identity
Campaign
Creative direction
Brand Strategy and Voice
Digital
Digital systems
Website Design and Development
Motion Design
CG Art
Experiential
Event Design
Packaging
Signage and wayfinding
Collateral