Atelier EVOLAB was created in 2012, fusing design-thinking and social business models. A platform to bridge the gap between BoP sector and businesses, providing consultancy on branding and innovative business models to create a sustainable impact.

1. by
Sunnil V THAMBI

3. BEFORE ATELIER
Before starting Atelier EVOLAB, I studied in metro cities; Hyderabad and Mumbai and further progressed
at the IED, Milan, Italy. I partnered with CRIED, a design research center to develop projects designing
business solutions and brand repositioning as a result of the crisis. Then I worked as a trend researcher
and concept designer for a Japanese consumer electronics company. Later, to learn more about the
world of branding, I relocated to the glamorous capital, Dubai, joined a branding agency, then managed
its East African operations.
Graduating during the period of economic crisis made me aware of the effects of over-consumerism,
decreasing life product life cycle, impact on the environment and socio-political aspects of our daily
lives. It was not sustainable to be a product designer anymore; the "S" curves were fading rapidly. I had
to focus on a more strategic part of design. To me, design did not always have to be a physical product
or space. Design became more like a set of tools, skills or a process used to respond to any need for
the betterment of humanity and businesses equally.
Getting the apt exposure and working with great mentors in design, I had the opportunity to understand
the “Pre-Phases” of design, the creative business part, which deals with strategies, concept
development, and design management. With the curiosity to learn more and a drive to modify ways to
make lives more comfortable and meaningful, I strive to provide designs that use renewable sources of
energy and sustainable development. In short, I go in search of the weirdest sources for inspirations. It
always fascinates me how small changes can create a big impact, improving daily lives.
My experience through the years in the three continents has given me ample opportunities to understand
people, their ways of life and the surrounding environment. Businesses have the power to impact
communities, and my passion for sustainable development found its drive to design systems and
services for businesses. It has in turn given me an opportunity to direct Design for Development into new
horizons of opportunities.

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5. CHOOD
A concept for a small electric kitchen appliance for DeDietrich, derived from South India, meaning Warm.
Chood is a product, the size of a coffee spoon that can be dropped in a beverage and keeps it warm.
It is a rechargeable device that allows the user to warm the beverage between 35 degC to 50degC.
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7. ERIDANIA, SUGAR BOWL DESIGN
Duality: Is a perfect example of the Italian brand, Eridania which stands for; Purity, Friendly & Classic.
Two mouths; the bigger one allows the usage of a spoon while the other smaller mouth is a dispenser;
The pure white finishin and the simple circular form represents the brand the best.
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9. FERRARELLE UNICITA’ ITALIANA: 1893 COLLECTION
Ferrarelle is a well known mineral water brand in Italy. As part of their expansion plan in 2009, they assigned us
to design a series of bottles for their premium hospitality sector, Vela and Tennis events .
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11. SCAN SNAP SV600 (Internship project with Toshi Satoji Japan 2010)
The Design for Scan Snap series revolves around a Japanese office. concept of Super-Man and Clark Kent.
While the scanner is working, it opens up, the indicative lights start and the machine runs. While it’s off the
scanner closes and camouflages with the environment.

12. Client: Rin Energy Italy with Commune di Milano( City council).
Brief: Design a system by which 5% CO2 can be reduced.
Design Solution: Creating small home appliances that save energy.
Change of habit in a bid to reduce standby waste
Wasted energy

13. THESIS PROJECT
Vaniglia is a tap fixture that regulates the waste of water, the tail acting as an interactive handle. The form of the
product is derived from the action of collecting water from a tap.Ranello is a TIMER PLUG which can be used
for rechargeable products. Clamys is a MULTI-PLUG with a UNI-Switch, designed for living room TV stations.
RanelloRanello
Vaniglia
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15. ECO LAMPS CONCEPT
Pineapple LampGem lamp
These lamp designs above where inspired by the suggestions in their names. The Pivot lamp has a pivot point
for easy round movement, while the Gem lamp is derived from the shape of a gem stone and the pineapple
lamp resonates elegance in the segments through which light passes.
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17. POINT OF SALE / RECEPTION DESK: (copyright Ideaspice, Dubai 2011-2012)
Sun Screen loton, a product used in beaches led us into designing an ice cream moving bike concept for the
lotion that was used in Dubai beaches. Arcelor Mittal, one of the world's largest and most diversified producers
of pipe and tube products, serves markets around the world from 24 locations in 13 countries.
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19. IDEASPICE DESIGN OFFICE: (copyright Ideaspice, Dubai 2011-2012)
IdeaSpice is an exhibition solutions company that designs and builds distinctive environments both locally as
well as overseas and provides complete turn key solutions from freight and logistics to catering and much more.
IdeaSpice Designs are unique and innovative, with a high quality finish and are made using eminent materials.
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20. P E P P E R M I L L
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21. PEPPERMILL RESTAURANT: (copyright Ideaspice, Dubai 2011-2012)
Peppermill is a fine dining restaurant offering Indian cuisine with inventive recipes and alluring flavours to
stimulate the palate and gratify the senses. At Peppermill they believe that Indian haute cuisine can also
be created using new age recipes and ideas.
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22. THE
CAFÉ + BAR
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23. V-SPOT CAFÉ BAR: (copyright Ideaspice, Dubai 2011-2012)
The [v] SPOT is located in Gurgaon Dubai with the building experience created in Saket. It boasts of gurgaon
features , the usual favorites such as tully vision, the video booth and a spacious dining and lounge terrace area
that was carefully designed.
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25. OWW! RETAIL SHOP, INDIA: (copyright Ideaspice, Dubai 2011-2012)
Oww! (One With Wonders) is a designer retail brand which was launched across India. A unique retail format
featuring an eclectic range of designer lifestyle products from design houses across Japan, Germany, US, UK,
Thailand, Hong Kong and India.
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27. MAGNIFIQUE BEAUTY SALOON: (copyright Ideaspice, Dubai 2011-2012)
Magnifique Beauty Saloon is a day spa and beauty lounge where people visit for professional administered
personal care treatments such as massages and facials to replenish the body's natural balance.
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29. In late 2011, when I first visited Uganda as part of my assignment from Dubai, I saw, more than 30,000 youngsters
graduate in various faculties of design, yet worked blue collar jobs in printing presses earning demeaning wages. I saw
farmers, with resources shying away from growing high-value crops because they did not have access to the markets
beyond their self-made boundaries. I saw women and children scared by flies due to lack of basic sanitary knowledge.
However, another parallel observation then, was also- Ugandans are naturally talented; artistic, passionate, happy and
abundant with resources. I aimed to foster their innate talent by giving them a platform to nurture and express to
better their living.
After witnessing a high unemployment rate, low wages and lack access to opportunity, Atelier EVOLAB was formed, a
design incubation studio, using design thinking tools for Social Businesses. We organically evolved into a social
experiment to reduce poverty through creative processes and by passing on the knowledge of design thinking to
empower the youth of Uganda with three impact missions:
BoP Impact
Developed services and
solutions by leveraging on
partnerships with private
sector, to improve Ugandan
BoP sector for health,
sanitation and financial
inclusion.
Design Impact
A business model which
encouraged private businesses
to increase CSR budget by
collaborating with us to train
our students on-the-job.
However, instead of as charity,
the firms received high-
standard branding and
marketing strategies to improve
their businesses in return, while
our trainees built their portfolios
enabling them to seek better
jobs or setup their business if
interested.
Agro Impact
Designing service projects to
alleviate poverty in rural
Uganda by involving private
sectors, NOG’s and farmers to
avoiding middle, provide
training and directly linking to
the international markets for
better earnings.

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meet
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research
SOLVE PROBLEMS
STAND INCREASE IMPROVE
SALESEXPOSUREOUT
VISUALLY
cultivate
ideas
TO HELP YOU...
DESIGN PROCESS
Our process is to understand the grey areas and evolve a concept from a simple idea.
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31. INTEGRATED
BRANDING
content
corporate
identity
marketing
collaterals
packaging
design
web
design
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32. MALA IKAMALA IKA
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33. MALAYIKA
Malayika is a brand based in Arua, Uganda. The concept evolved from the word “Malayika” it’s self, which means
Angel in Swahili. This reference became the inspiration for the identity and communication. We used variations to
apply on to a diverse range of products.
MALA IKAMALA IKA
MALA IKAMALA IKA
MALA IKAMALA IKA
MALA IKAMALA IKA
MALA IKAMALA IKA MALA IKAMALA IKA
MALA IKAMALA IKA
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35. Britania is Uganda's biggest biscuit manufacturer. As part of their diversification, they assigned us to develop their
packaging. The target we shortlisted were kids, so apart from just displaying the product we tried to use the
flavours in an emphatic manner.
BRITANIA
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37. Safi, the leading mass brand in flavored juice assigned us to re-design their packaging, in order to be accepted
as a supermarket brand but not losing their market share in the mass segment. Our solution was to
communicate with colors which are recognizable in the mass segment, minimal and active graphic elements.
SAFI
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39. A family brand developed for an international distributor and artisan who specialises in hand-made customised
precious stone jewelery design. “Jogeor” is derived from Johny George, the maker’s name. The identity shows
the characters of elegance and personalisation.
JOGEOR
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41. Imara is a jewerly brand whose heritage comes from the foot hills of Mt.Kilimanjaro. Imara means “Strength” in
Swahili and following this principal, the logo design signifys “Strength in elegance”. Elegance is the key factor
in its corporate identity / branding.
IMARA
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42. ABOUT US CONTACTSCLIENTS MATERIALS
iPad
building africa one brick at a time
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43. Using Canadian engineering, Afcan is one of East Africa’s high-tech brick manufacturing companies. With its
slogan, “Building Africa one brick at a time, its logo was formed, thus the corporate identity.
AFCAN
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45. Picfare, Uganda’s largest printed paper product solutions provider began in 1981. It is part of the Picfare Group
which comprises brands like :- Nytil, Afro Agro, Pearl, Bliss and Commercial printing. Atelier handled the
corporate identity of the brand together with its various communications.
PICFARE
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47. Metroplex shopping mall, one of the biggest malls in Uganda, is a one stop destination with a variety of shops,
restaurants, sports bar, cinemas, etc. We designed their corporate identity and various communication materials.
METROPLEX
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49. DORMANS
One of the leading coffee shops in Uganda who pride themselves in expert services in the provision of breakfast,
lunch, coffee, drinks and fast foods. Atelier designed its identity, packaging and collaterals among others.
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51. COMFOAM
Comfoam are manufacturers of reinforcement steel bars and foam matteresses. We designed their matteress
packaging / covers and general collateral materials..
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53. PARLMOODE
Parlmoode is a fashion brand established in Doha, Qatar that buys high end fashion from the world over. It was
seeking to expand into their own clothing and accessory line. The logo is an organic form that symbolises growth
and continuity.
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54. E S T . 1 9 5 7
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55. MINERVA BOOK STALL
Minerva was established during India’s independance, 60 years ago to educate and provide information to the
younger generation. Historic and mythical elements were incorporated to symbolise the brand values. “Minerva”,
a Greek goddess’ name known for knowledge and, an Owl the bird of wisdom.
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57. SONATA
Sonata is a vegetable oil brand under Charms International a sub chain of House of Dawada. The word “Sonata”
means gold in Hindi, which led to the color shades of the logo, and its corporate identity.
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59. SANDGLASS
This is a Japanese brand which links national and international businesses in education trade and culture. like the
junction which joins the information from the source to their target with transperancy, hence the name
SANDGLASS. The logo has an ellipse, a signof movement, the color mix of air, water and land symbolising
the world.
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61. MBAWO
Mbawo in Luganda means timber. The identity evolved from the nature of the business, which is modular furniture.
The execution of the design was simplified to communicate the brand messaging clearly.
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63. ORGANIC SOY VALUE CHAIN
Farmers
21,000
NSOYNET

64. ORGANIC CHIA VALUE CHAIN
Farmer
Women
18,000
CEASER
DEVELOPMENT
KINGDOM
CDK

65. CEASER
DEVELOPMENT
KINGDOM
CDK
MOBILE RURAL EYE CARE
5
Camps

66. Our Impact
60 Youngsters 70 Partners 180,000 Farmers