WE ARE A FULL-SERVICE, STRATEGIC BRAND DESIGN & PRODUCT INNOVATION STUDIO IN CHICAGO.

Who We Are

SO Dsgn shapes brands, products, and experiences, connecting strategy to storytelling and innovation to execution. From emerging to established brands, we work closely with our clients to shape ideas into tangible experiences, considering every detail from how something looks and feels to how it functions and shows up in the world.

At our core, we believe thoughtful design has the power to move businesses forward, inspire people, and create lasting impact.

Our Mission

DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE. DRIVEN BY PURPOSE.

Our Values

PURPOSE

We believe in purpose-driven design. We create work that moves brands and products forward. Every idea we shape is grounded in meaning and story and built to create impact and momentum.

PARTNERSHIP

We believe that every great vision thrives on partnership. Someone who understands your goals, works alongside you, and treats your vision as their own, driving toward your success every step of the way.

PROCESS

We trust in our process to help us move through insight, exploration, and refinement with intention. Our process creates space for better thinking and lasting brands and products.

PROGRESS

Every decision moves things forward, building on what exists and pushing toward what’s next. Progress isn’t about speed, it’s about direction, intention, and continuous improvement over time.

THE HUSBAND & WIFE PARTNERSHIP BEHIND SO DSGN

Meet Our Owners

Partner & Industrial Design Director, SO Dsgn

ROTIMI SOLOLA

Rotimi Solola is an award-winning Industrial Designer and founding partner of SO Dsgn. A former educator, he taught at University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University, where he championed mentorship, community, and design education.

Prior to his current role, Rotimi was a member of Motorola’s Consumer Experience Design team, where he developed a deep understanding of bringing products to market. He remains active in the design community through hosting creative events, public lectures, and mentoring young professionals.

Partner & Brand Design Director, SO Dsgn

CANDACE SOLOLA

Candace Solola is an award-winning Brand Designer and Partner at SO Dsgn. She approaches design through storytelling and a strong sense of craft, translating ideas into brand experiences that are considered and resonant.

Her background as a Design Director at Landor was shaped through work spanning industries and global brands. Driven by resilience and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, she leads the creative direction of SO Dsgn and works closely with clients to define and build purposeful brands.

OUR STUDIO

Our Story

HOW WE GOT OUR START

Rotimi and Candace met back in 2015 as two designers early in their careers (Rotimi an Industrial Designer and Candace a Graphic Designer). What they didn’t know at the time was that they both had their own separate visions of owning a design studio one day. After years of pursuing their own career paths, in 2019 SO Dsgn was born. The studio officially got it’s start as an Industrial Design focused practice founded and led by Rotimi.

In 2022, just before the two tied the knot, Candace joined SO Dsgn full time to expand the studio’s capabilities and add Brand Design as an equal studio function. That exact same year SO Dsgn doubled in revenue, solidifying the Brand offering as an equal and integral part of the business and demonstrating the power of partnership.

Rotimi and Candace’s combined experiences have helped to expand SO Dsgn into the dynamic, multi-disciplined consulting practice that it is today. Together, Rotimi & Candace are dedicated to bringing new perspectives, delivering meaningful creative partnership through design, and contributing to the Chicago design community and beyond.

Today, SO Dsgn’s studio is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and is home to their growing design team.

Read Our Full Story