For over twenty-five years, Co-Founder and Creative Director Fabio Ongarato has led his studio to create impactful art direction, branding and environmental outcomes. Under his leadership, Studio Ongarato has garnered global recognition for design excellence and was appointed AGDA Studio of the Year in 2017. One of Australia’s preeminent creatives, Fabio’s work has been featured in leading publications internationally, including Creative (London), Eye (London), Grafik (London), and IDEA (Tokyo), as well as the Phaidon publication Area alongside the work of the world’s most innovative graphic designers. Fabio champions the unique cultures of brands, which he believes should form the basis of their individual narratives. His carefully considered, highly creative process has resulted in a portfolio of work that has elevated clients including ACCA, Gertrude Contemporary, Jackalope Group, Kisumé, Mecca Cosmetica, W Shanghai and many more to the forefront of cultural influence. Overseeing the studio’s creative process across offices in Melbourne, Hong Kong and Dubai, Fabio continues to pursue excellence and innovation in creative design.

As a Director and founding partner of Studio Ongarato, Ronnen brings more than 20 years’ experience in communications and strategy to his work leading strategic development. With a Bachelor Degree in Architecture, Ronnen has a unique ability to unlock insights and a deeper understanding when melding brand, communications and the built environment. His wide-ranging skillset helps define Studio Ongarato’s considered and holistic approach to creatively solving client challenges. Ronnen has a personal passion for the food and beverage world, having come from a family of hospitality veterans. His vast experience and knowledge of the industry, both in Australia and Asia, has seen him lead strategy for clients such as Jackalope Hotels, Lane Crawford, Melbourne’s GPO, QT Hotels and W Shanghai. Alongside Fabio, Ronnen provides leadership direction to the team to ensure creative outcomes are innovative and aligned with brand offerings and architectural intent.

As one of Studio Ongarato’s most experienced and senior design team members, Ben brings over twenty years’ experience and key leadership to each Placemaking & Wayfinding Signage project. With a background in architecture and graphic design, Ben leads the design team to ensure that strategy and conceptual ideation is articulated through each project. Amongst the diverse range of Placemaking & Wayfinding Signage projects Ben has overseen from strategy/concept through to implementation includes 140 William Street (Perth), the Dubai Marina Development (Dubai), Jackalope Hotel (Victoria), Streets of Barangaroo Installation (Sydney), W Hotel (Shanghai and Sydney), Western Australian Museum (Perth) and Westpac Headquarters (Melbourne).

Since joining the studio in 2013, John has played a major role in shaping some of Studio Ongarato’s most significant projects for clients including Art Gallery of South Australia and Jackalope Hotel Group. His breadth of capabilities and commitment to collaboration ensures a holistic and approach to brand creation and communication. Actively involved in the design community, particularly in supporting and encouraging young designers, John is a mentor, both within the studio and externally, through initiatives such as The Design Kids program. John contributes to mentoring programs at educational institutions such as Monash and Swinburne Universities and is actively involved in industry events.

As General Manager, Lee Wilson brings over 20 years’ experience optimising organisational capability across markets in Australia, Asia, the UK and Middle East. His background – spanning arts and culture, education, fashion, health and wellness, hospitality, retail and property – complements the studio’s output as it progresses into its third decade. Part of the team that launched Jetstar in Australia, as well as Swisse into China, Italy, Singapore and the UK, Lee has a particular capability for working across cultures – as seen in his management of Studio Ongarato offices in Hong Kong and Dubai. Lee’s expertise in marketing and communications, digital, data analysis and sales enablement plays a central role in coordinating the needs of our studio and key projects.

Sarah brings over 20 years’ experience in driving projects from end-to-end in her role as Studio Ongarato’s Director of Placemaking and Wayfinding. A pioneer in this realm of work, she plays an integral role in leading the studio. Sarah’s expertise is underpinned by her experience working on projects of national and international significance, including The Western Australian Museum, The Sydney Olympic Signage Masterplan, The Tower+Public Plaza Dubai Creek Harbour, 80 Collins St, Melbourne, Shepparton Art Museum, Victoria, and Jackalope Resort, Mornington. Accessible and authentic, Sarah ensures the studio’s unparalleled standards around creativity and innovation are achieved across all client projects. She has a strong understanding of contemporary architectural culture and has also recently studied contemporary art at the Victorian College of the Arts.