Pros
Initially, the perks at Morning - the four-day working week, regular socials, and the vibrant, curated culture - are incredibly enticing and undoubtedly part of what draws people in.
Cons
I left Morning Studio after a deeply disappointing and disheartening experience. On the surface, the company presents itself as a bold, creative, and progressive space, touting perks like a four-day work week, social events, and a culture of inclusivity. But beneath that polished image lies a very different reality. The four-day workweek, for instance, sounded great in theory but was poorly executed. In practice, I was often expected to work outside of scheduled hours, with an overwhelming workload that didn’t reflect the supposed reduction in days. There was no effort to realistically plan or accommodate projects around this structure, which only led to more stress and burnout. Externally, Morning Studio markets itself as a disruptor with a mantra of “be less sh*t.” But in truth, it felt like they were upholding everything they claimed to challenge. There was no real innovation, no initiative, and no space for original thought. What they call a “hive mind” of creative consciousness felt more like creative suppression - a singular, unchallenged perspective that dictated everything from visual output to internal behaviour. That rigidness bled into how people dressed, spoke, and presented themselves, creating an unspoken standard of conformity that was alienating and exclusionary. If you didn’t fit a very particular mould - visually, socially, or culturally - you felt like an outsider. The toxic positivity was also pervasive. While the studio prided itself on being a positive and progressive workplace, concerns were rarely addressed. Instead, there was an underlying pressure to stay upbeat, smile through issues, and never speak up in a way that might disrupt the carefully crafted image. It felt incredibly performative, and projects themselves often seemed curated more for how they looked externally than for any real creative or cultural integrity. One of the most frustrating and damaging aspects of my experience was the lack of leadership. The co-founders and senior leadership team often felt inexperienced and unequipped to lead, and I found myself repeatedly ignored when seeking help, clarity, or support. There was no real structure in place. One-to-ones were suddenly removed with no explanation, and I was left without any guidance on how to execute my role or even understand what was expected of me. At times, I felt completely lost - under immense pressure, yet in the dark about what my actual priorities or responsibilities were. The directors, in particular, were out of touch and disengaged, and it felt like there was no one genuinely present to support or manage me. When I left the company abruptly, I was given no prior indication despite having received consistent positive feedback from my peers. Since then, I’ve learned that others have had similar experiences with sudden departures and little explanation. This paints a picture of a workplace that lacks empathy, accountability, and professional maturity. Overall, Morning Studio was not the progressive, supportive, or creatively empowering environment it claims to be. My time there left me stressed, disillusioned, and emotionally drained. I would strongly advise anyone considering a role there to look far beyond the branding and ask serious questions about what kind of leadership, structure, and culture they’re really stepping into.
