Who we are

Cafeteria started with one key ambition — to put people at the centre of our design process, because without fail working with people rather than working on projects makes for a happier experience and better outcome. Our clients will tell you that it works because they feel involved; that we’ve listened to and understood them and that the work we go on to make, is created together.

We are a tight, sharp, versatile team that delivers projects with empathy, drive, imagination and skill. Our work constantly pushes our creative boundaries — from diving deep into brand strategy and complex wayfinding challenges to conjuring up captivating exhibition spaces and elegant print and digital communications — keeping us on our toes and excited by what we might discover next. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Our team

Catherine Carley

Managing Director

Talk to Catherine

Chris Woodhams

Creative Director

Talk to Chris

Reuben Brown

Project Manager

Talk to Reuben

Tom Peet

Creative Lead

Talk to Tom

Rhys Evans

Senior Designer

Talk to Rhys

Julia Whalley

Designer

Talk to Julia

Our process

Our projects go through four stages of work – Discover, Define, Design and Deliver. It gives us our thread, and a way to seamlessly progress from the outset, towards a clear, considered and shared goal.

Our actions

We listen (intently), understand (properly), respond (appropriately), and partner with clients as closely as possible. We join the dots and keep them joined, so the response never loses touch with where it came from.

Testimonials

01 / 06

“Cafeteria created a space for us to have open and honest dialogue and to create a shared understanding of the vision and the path forward. We appreciated their support as solution hunters and as the practical and organised ‘glue’ between us and our other partners. A firm and experienced hand on the project management was very welcome - and of course we were delighted with the outcome!”

Caroline McDonald, Executive Manager, Great North Museum

02 / 06

“We are so happy with our brand which perfectly captures the vibrancy and energy of our company. The team at Cafeteria really immersed themselves in our organisation and their partnership helped us to reconnect with who we are and what’s really important to us. The experience has been truly transformational and enormously enjoyable.”

Claire Murray, Communications & Fundraising Director, Sheffield Theatres

03 / 06

“We cannot speak highly enough of the team and the manner in which they have clearly mastered their craft. We and our clients love our new brand and we will be taking the Cafeteria along with us over the next 25 years and beyond.”

Kamal Chauhan, (Former) Director and General Counsel, Finch Consulting

04 / 06

“Cafeteria took the time to really understand the culture and ethos of the business. They immersed themselves in HLM, speaking to our staff, clients and peers to really get under our skin. In doing so they were able to distil our personality and articulate our values in a much better way than we could ourselves.”

Philip Watson, Director and Head of Design at HLM Architects

05 / 06

“It is great to work with a team that are constantly looking to go the extra mile in order that the project not only achieves its outcomes but exceeds them wherever possible. The expertise that Cafeteria demonstrates throughout the project has given me the confidence that working together we will achieve amazing results.”

Ross Frazer, Sherwood Forest VC & NNR Project Manager, RSPB

06 / 06

“Cafeteria did more than just design, they took time to understand our values and our aims, gave honest advice and professional guidance. They had a genuine interest in helping us engage with our students, alumni, and business collaborators”

Jody Dalton, External Relations, University of Sheffield Management School

Clients

&Co
Artfelt
Arts Council
Barnsley Museums
Barnsley Council
Band on the Wall
Bradford Industrial Museum
Chatsworth House
Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Finch Consulting
Forced Entertainment
Gallery Oldham
Great North Museum
Harris Museum & Art Gallery
Harrogate Museums & Arts
HLM Architects
Jagged Globe
Laeceum
LAMDA
Litton Property Group
Lovebytes Festival
MindFolio
Mascot Management
Museum of Science and Industry
Museums Sheffield
National Army Museum
National Coal Mining Museum
National Justice Museum
NHS (Sheffield)
Oakbrook Finance
Royal Armouries
Saffron
Sheffield Carers Centre
Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Sheffield Culture Consortium
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens
Sheffield Theatres
Sheffield Assay Office
St Luke’s Hospice
Storying Sheffield
Tate
Tame Valley Wetlands
The Audience Agency
The British Museum
The Courtauld Institute of Arts
The National Trust
The Photographer’s Gallery
The RSPB
The University of Sheffield
The University of York
The Wildlife Trusts
The Woodland Trust
Tim Etchells
Tramshed Theatre
Trakker Products
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
UK NEQAS
Well-Being Consortium
Weston Park Cancer Charity