Tony Clarkson Launches That Design Thing in Shrewsbury on 22 October 2026

On 22 October 2026, Tony Clarkson, the founder of studio &Something, will unveil a new design event titled That Design Thing at the Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. Creative Boom is collaborating as the media partner. This initiative seeks to fill the gap in design-related activities in Shrewsbury, a market town Clarkson believes is often overlooked. The concept emerged from Creative Boom IRL, a series of free meet-ups for creatives that Clarkson organized over the past year, revealing a vibrant local creative community. The inaugural theme, 'Against All Odds,' highlights the challenges in the creative sectors amid swift technological advancements. Featured speakers include Lánre Adeleye from HSBC, Zoe Hitchen from the BBC, and Simon Dixon of DixonBaxi. The schedule includes free workshops by Foilco at 2pm, talks from 3pm to 7pm, and an after-party at GlouGlou, with only 50 spots available. Clarkson, a Shrewsbury resident for 25 years, aims to cultivate a network for local designers and creatives, choosing the name to reflect a casual approach. His vision is to unite people and showcase the strength of the local creative scene, with hopes for future growth.