EXPOSE OPPORTUNITY
FUEL INNOVATION

LEADERSHIP

Thinking and Doing.

Founded in 2003, Apparatus is a multidisciplinary design studio bridging research, strategy and craft. We partner with startups, scale-ups and global brands across sport, mobility, energy, electronics and lifestyle. Every engagement is personally led by our founder.

Innovation is the engine of business growth, yet one of the hardest capabilities to build. That's why everything we do, from how we learn, think, collaborate and embrace technology, is designed to uncover opportunity and create a better future.

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Matt Hexemer

Founder/Director

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP COURSE

The image displays the words 'FUTURE LONDON ACADEMY' in large white capital letters on a black background.

A course to equip industry leaders with tools to define vision, build teams, and lead creative organizations. Over 500 creative leaders globally, from design directors to founders have graduated.

An infographic with a black infinity symbol on a yellow background, divided into two circles labeled 'SELF' and 'BRAND', illustrating connections between personal and organizational leadership qualities such as mastery, curiosity, empathy, autonomy, collaboration, and resilience, with surrounding themes of work quality, culture, guidance, and inspiration.
An infographic with a black infinity symbol on a yellow background, divided into two circles labeled 'SELF' and 'BRAND', illustrating connections between personal and organizational leadership qualities such as mastery, curiosity, empathy, autonomy, collaboration, and resilience, with surrounding themes of work quality, culture, guidance, and inspiration.

Course Framework

Global Dialogue

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SEGD Global Design Awards logo with colorful layered arrow design
Blue circle with white text that says "MaRS"
Logos of X, a media company, and CBS, a television network.
Stylized logo with the letters 'IEF' integrated with planetary and star graphics, and the words 'Intelligent Community Forum' below.
Black and white logo featuring a geometric maze-like symbol above the words 'Polytechnics Canada' in bold white text.

Awards

A stylized red and white globe logo with swirling design elements.
A stylized red and white globe logo with swirling design elements.
A blue background features a colorful circular logo divided into four segments and the text 'Fast Company Innovation By Design 2022' in white.

Red Dot
Product

Fast Company
Experiential

Black and white logo with the word "Deso" stylized inside a hexagon shape.
The word 'AD
The word 'AD

D&AD
Product

ADC
Product

Gears of the GearJunkie logo in black and white.
Gears of the GearJunkie logo in black and white.
Yellow circular badge with black text reading "Outside Gear of the Year 2021".
Yellow circular badge with black text reading "Outside Gear of the Year 2021".

Applied Research

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Logo of Ontario Tech University with stylized 'O' and text 'Ontario Tech University' in white and orange on a black background.

Aluminium Air
Innovation

SMR Nuclear
Innovation

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Adelaide University logo on a black background

Curriculum Development Design Strategy

Panel - IASDR Design For Placemaking

2022
Intelligent Placemaking

2020
From Screens to Experiences

2021
Prototype, Interate, Evolve

2021
Experiential Retail Futures

2021
Design and Aging in Place

2023
Circular Apparel Design

Gear junkie
Product

Outside
Product

Aerodynamic Product
Innovation

Hydrogen Product
Innovation

Academia

Green background with white text reading 'Institute without boundaries'
Neon sign of the Politecnico di Milano logo featuring a line drawing of people around a table and the text 'POLITECNICO MILANO 1863' on a black background.
Logo of the Canada-Caribbean Institute featuring a red maple leaf in a circle, surrounded by white triangles, with the text 'Canada-Caribbean Institute' below.
Black background with large white Georgia Tech logo and text reading "Georgia Tech."

Lecturer Industrial Design

Speaker Sustainable Partnerships

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Innovation Ecosystem

Research, strategy, and design craft, surrounded by the right conditions for success creates meaningful, sustainable innovation, not change for its own sake.

Design Principles

We view each brand, product, and experience as an interconnected system, shaped by insight, sustainability, and purposeful technology.

Abstract design with white circular and curved lines on a black background.
Abstract design with white circular and curved lines on a black background.

1. Think Systems

Beyond the object, look at the whole
to define the parts. This uncovers new opportunities while improving what exists.

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2. Design for Impact

Sustainability is the filter. If it doesn't improve outcomes for people, business, and planet, it doesn't move forward.

An abstract black and white spiral design with a central dot, composed of curved lines creating a sense of movement.

3. Lead with Insight

Build from culture and human behavior, not assumption. Research defines direction and ensures relevance in the real world.

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4. Tech with Intent

Technology is only as valuable as the problem it solves. From advanced materials to AI tools, apply tech with purpose.

Elastic Collective

An elastic collective, rejects the traditional agency hierarchy in favour of precision-cast expertise. We assemble a team of independent veterans whose expertise align with project complexity and type.

  • Precision-cast

  • Craft centric

  • Independent Veterans

A Venn diagram showing two groups, Strategy Specialists and Veteran Designers, connected through a central Elastic Collective, with arrows indicating collaboration between Partner and Client.