Two of Scotland’s pre-eminent design companies — both with strong international credentials — have rebranded after joining forces: LEWIS and Tayburn are now Limitless.
Tayburn is a well-known Scottish brand design house, supported in its formative years by the late Sir Angus Grossart, and recognised for its award-winning corporate work including annual company reports and design work for Scotland’s leading listed firms.
LEWIS was set up in the 1970s by Ray Lewis, who celebrated his 80th birthday last year. His son, David Lewis, has led the graphic design house based in Hawick for a number of years, winning financial clients requiring high levels of regulatory compliance and assurance in their digital design and marketing materials.
The founders say Limitless is a reframing of the business for a world where human insight and AI innovation combine to deliver change without boundaries.
David Lewis, CEO of Limitless, said: “This is more than just a name change. It’s a reflection of our ambition to remove boundaries, think bigger, and support businesses through change with clarity and creativity. By uniting under one identity, we’re making it easier for our clients to access the full range of our expertise – including more innovative ways of working through AI that help us deliver even more effectively and propose longer-term solutions for our partners.”
Tayburn managing director Richard Simpson and David Lewis agreed to collaborate in April 2024. Now they have taken a further step with their new identity.
“Limitless positions itself firmly as a consultancy partner, not a traditional agency. Its approach blends strategy, design, digital and packaging into a seamless offer, enabling organisations to make confident decisions and deliver results that endure,” says Simpson, now Limitless’ director of growth.
The firm’s philosophy is built on a consultancy partnership model — working alongside clients as long-term collaborators, AI + human mindset — integrating technology intelligently so humans with AI outperform those without, and high-agency behaviour “which is biased to action, resourcefulness, constructive challenge, and clarity under pressure,” says Simpson.
LEWIS is arguably Scotland’s oldest creative design houses created in the Scottish Borders in 1976. The company built up a first-class portfolio of clients with the likes of Burberry and other Borders-based textile brands.
The joint company has led to a strong 15 months of growth, including multiple new client wins, a refined leadership structure, and the establishment of offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool.
“Over the past year, the business has secured extended three-year contracts with Santander for Intermediaries and Cater Allen, generating a high six figure income each year. It also played a key role in the rebrand of Close Brothers Asset Management to Trinity Bridge following its acquisition by Oaktree,” says Lewis.
Further client success includes a partnership with Scottish technology leader Iomart to develop and implement their refreshed brand identity across digital platforms. The group has also delivered a high-profile new visual identity for law firm Aberdein Considine, digital design and brand positioning for Aegon Asset Management, and was appointed as a creative partner for Bayne’s the Family Bakers.
The company’s roster of work also includes Toshiba where it has undertaken its European rebrand of the management services division.
A long-standing partnership also involves packaging, artwork and reprographics for the likes of Heineken UK.
“Tayburn has been working with Heineken since the days of Scottish Courage, and then Scottish & Newcastle, which was bought by Heineken. We’ve had a strong partnership with them over many years. This has evolved into its current state where we design all the packaging to fit the specified brand guidelines. Every product has to meet the rules which deliver brand equity and conformity,” says Simpson.
He explains major corporate firms need to protect corporate brand value by ensuring every aspect of design, on bottles, advertising posters and any collateral, carries the same set of design instructions. This is an essential part of protecting major brand equity, he says.
Now operating as Limitless, the company has completed its integration and expanded its deliverables and capabilities for packaging through projects with Princes and Pets Choice.
Limitless has also strengthened its leadership team, appointing Kirsty Wardlaw, formerly client services director, and Gillian Laird, formerly strategy director, as joint managing directors of Limitless.
Simpson added: “Businesses are under pressure to adapt faster than ever. Limitless is designed to help them do just that — breaking down silos, using AI intelligently, and delivering solutions that protect and grow brand value.”
