Members Spotlight: Studio Antigravity

5 June 2026

This month's members spotlight focuses on Jordan Yates, Founder and Creative Director of Studio Antigravity. From freelancer to launching his own company and embracing the creative community in Manchester, Jordan shares his story and where he sees Studio Antigravity going.

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Hi Jordan! Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and about Studio Antigravity?

So I'm Jordan Yates, I'm Creative Director and Founder of Studio Antigravity, which is about all things brand. That could be launching a brand, creating live experiences, or doing big campaigns. We build brands and keep the momentum going, and help them rise above the ordinary and stand out against the other brands out there.

Where do you see the creative industry heading over the next few years?

That’s a good question. I think there's going to be a real split. I think a lot of agencies are going to double down into the AI route, and a lot of agencies are going to return to print and the normal experimental marketing, such as events.

We still have our toe in AI, because it's important to know what’s going on, but we just love people.

I'm a massive extrovert, so I love events. So, we're going to double down on doing a lot more events for brands, and focus on getting our brands in front of people so they can grab these brands with both hands and really connect with them.

How important is community for creative businesses and freelancers?

It’s hugely important! Before running Antigravity, I was a freelancer for seven years, and worked with agencies across the world, but really, what got me started was the community here in Manchester. Manchester's got - I mean, I'm biased, obviously - but one of the best communities in the world. I've made so many friends from that. It was actually through the creative community that I met my wife as well.

So, personally, it's made a massive impact. What’s really beautiful about the creative community here in Manchester, is that you can reach out to anyone for a coffee, and everyone will mostly say yes, or to a beer. You're probably more likely to get a yes if you say a beer! In Manchester, everyone's really great, and they want to help and push you forward. I think if you’re currently a freelancer in Manchester, and you're not using the creative community, make sure you do and maximize it.

What made COLONY the right environment for Studio Antigravity? What do you love about being a part of Fabrica’s community?

Funnily enough, I actually joined COLONY when I started as a freelancer, and when I joined, I had no idea how to be a freelancer. I obviously had Manchester's creative community to help me, but it was actually meeting a lot of the freelancers in COLONY that helped benefit me. In those first two years, I met a really small group of freelancers who I'm really good friends with now.

We've been to weddings together, been on nights out, and they've become really good friends.

I don’t think you can get that anywhere else other than at COLONY - this close-knit group of people here. Everyone's really welcoming and happy to help. We've been here three years, and I've messaged people in this building, on the same floor as us, just asking for a coffee, and they've been like, “yeah, sure, pop down.”

It's that kind of intertwining connection, and the fact you can even just go for a coffee and meet someone that's got massive value. We've met a client making coffee, they've walked in, we’ve had a chat, and now we’re working together.

What's been key to building long-term client relationships?

I think there's a lot of things out there that talk about delivering value and the serious side which is important. It’s important you deliver and you show up, and that's a key thing for me to do, but what people forget with the business game, is that it's about making those personal connections. It’s about becoming friends with your clients, effectively being someone they can trust as well as someone they can rely on to deliver the work, being someone who can execute, but who you can still phone up and have a nice chat with.

One of the things I found in my freelance career, and now running my own studio, that clients have talked a lot about, is when they come off a phone call with me, they just feel a bit happier, and that's really nice. I think there's an element of just wanting to make sure you deliver value through your personal interaction with them, as well as your work.

Do you have a dream client that you'd love to work with in the future?

I worked with them years ago at my first agency, and I'd love to work with them again. I would love to do some crazy event for them, or rebrand one of the games. I'm a huge fan of Sony. My first job was helping build the Drive Club app for Sony, so I would love to work with them again, doing events, doing some real-world stuff, or digital. If you're reading this, Sony, I'm after you!

What would you love Studio Antigravity to be known for in five years?

In five years' time, I want brands to come to us when they want to absolutely skyrocket across others, whether through digital campaigns or real-world activation, where we're building incredible events, where you're bringing your community there, engaging with them directly, and really skyrocketing your brand to the next level. That's what I want us to be known for.

We love having Studio Antigravity at Fabrica and we can’t wait to see how they continue to enjoy the space.