From Momentum to Full Gallop

In our last blog, we shared a roundup of 2025 and reflected on how it became a defining year for Sketch Design Consultancy. It was a year where momentum built steadily — relationships deepened, the team grew, and the business found a clearer sense of who we are and how we work.

If the end of 2025 was about building momentum, then the start of 2026 has felt like a horse breaking into a gallop.

A Fast and Focused Start

January began with an immediate priority: a working prototype with a very short turnaround. As we dug into the detail, it quickly became clear there was more work involved than we had initially anticipated.

As pinch points began to appear, more and more time was pulled into the project. Before long, it became an all-hands-on-deck effort to get it across the finish line. Progress was strong, and the deliverable was almost complete — but as we assembled the final parts of the prototype, we hit a failure.

The project wasn’t going to be ready on time.

That moment landed hard.

When the Space Starts to Work Against You

During those first two weeks, our office changed character completely. What had once been a calm meeting space became a full workshop. Breadboards, motors, 3D printed evaluation models, test pieces, fixings, and tools covered every available surface.

The environment became chaotic. We were all treading on each other’s toes, trying to push work forward in a space that simply wasn’t designed for that level of hands-on activity.

Just three months after moving in, it was clear that our efficiently laid-out office was no longer big enough for how we were now working.

To add to the pressure, alongside our obligations to a long-standing client, two additional projects landed with tight expectations. At that point, we had to make a difficult decision — not lightly — to focus all our efforts on a single project to clear space before moving forward again.

The combination of multiple projects, compressed deadlines, and prototyping slightly outside our comfort zone began to take its toll. The stress increased, and the enjoyment that usually comes with development started to fade.

Responding with Intent, Not Panic

One thing we’ve always prided ourselves on is agility — the ability to react meaningfully when we encounter a problem.

So that’s what we did.

We were fortunate that the office next door was vacant, and we took the opportunity to expand. By the end of the month, new desks were in place, dedicated storage had been installed for client projects, and a proper workbench was set up for building and testing designs.

Office two became where the work happens — a space to design, fail, learn, and go again.

The original office has since evolved into the Directors’ office and meeting space: somewhere for client calls, team meetings, and project discussions without the constant distraction of a busy workshop.

That change was the first thing to truly lighten the load. More space and better organisation gave us room to breathe again.

A Shift in Responsibility

We founded Sketch Design because we wanted to stay close to design and engineering. Our own career progression had often pointed towards management — a path neither of us felt particularly drawn to, nor especially equipped for at the time.

What January taught us is that management can’t be avoided if the business is going to continue operating well.

At the start of the month, we were reacting task by task. We weren’t following our own processes, and we weren’t working as a unified team. We also learned a valuable lesson about reassessment — when project scope creeps, the answer isn’t to simply push harder, but to pause, realign, and plan again.

By the end of the month, all new projects were clearly laid out. Timelines were defined, resources were allocated, and a reporting strategy was put in place to help ensure we don’t find ourselves back in the same position we started January in.

Pressure Doesn’t Disappear — But Preparation Helps

That’s not to say the pressure has vanished.

As we entered the final week of the month, two previous clients we’d worked with before got back in touch to discuss new projects. The workload continues to grow — but now we feel better prepared to plan, implement, and deliver what’s ahead.

And while January was undoubtedly stressful, it also brought a strong sense of pride. Demand for our work continues to grow, and repeat clients are the clearest signal that we’re delivering value.

Maintaining momentum has been hard work — but it’s also felt natural.

The Fire Horse Moment

It wasn’t until the end of the month that a conversation with a former client and friend put things into perspective. They mentioned that we’re entering the Year of the Fire Horse — often associated with rapid progress, hard work, and bold action.

I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who follows astrology.

But in that moment, January 2026 suddenly made a lot of sense.

Written by Oliver Diebel