WTF – Mitchell Jones from ‘Made For’ Studio

Mitch Jones, founder and creative director of Made For Studio, has carved a niche as one of Australia’s most innovative office designers. Known for his work fitting out the WHITEFOX Real Estate offices and other high-profile brands, Mitch joined Marty Fox and Shura Taft on the With the Fox podcast to share his journey—from selling Hondas to designing multi-million-dollar workspaces that redefine how businesses operate.

From Cold Rock to Commercial Design

Mitch’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. At 19, he ran two Cold Rock Ice Cream franchises, where his rebellious streak clashed with corporate rigidity. “I thought I knew better than everyone,” he admits, recalling how he ignored brand guidelines—even designing his own bandanas with a custom logo. Unsurprisingly, he was pushed out, but the experience taught him a valuable lesson: innovation must align with brand identity.

After a stint selling cars (where he creatively “pre-sold” Suzukis with personalised nameplates), Mitch joined his father’s commercial construction business. There, he absorbed the intricacies of office fit-outs, but a clash with management led him to launch Made For Studio in 2015.

The Made For Studio Difference

Mitch’s approach to office design is strategic, not just aesthetic.

“I always ask clients: Why are you moving? and What’s the #1 thing we need to get right?”

This focus on business outcomes – rather than just aesthetics – has won him clients like Independent Hardware Group, who entrusted him with a $7M fit-out just six months into his venture.

Key Elements of Mitch’s Design Philosophy:

• Speed & Agility – Delivering renders and plans within 24 hours (while competitors take weeks).

• Commercial Focus – Designing spaces that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction.

• Flexibility – Moving away from rigid open-plan layouts to dynamic workspaces that adapt to different work styles.

The Future of Workspaces

Mitch predicts the death of traditional open-plan offices, arguing that flexibility is key:

• 40-50% assigned desks (for roles needing consistency).

• Varied zones (quiet libraries, high-energy café spaces, collaboration hubs).

• Hybrid-friendly layouts that accommodate remote and in-office work.

“People don’t do their best work at the same desk every day. We need to design for how they actually work.”

Family, Fatherhood & The Road Ahead

Mitch’s relationship with his father – once strained after leaving the family business – has healed, and they now co-own a joinery business together. As a father himself, he’s determined to foster open communication with his son, Pilot, teaching him early that “you can do anything.”

Looking ahead, Mitch is focused on expanding Made For Studio’s footprint, with upcoming projects including WHITEFOX’s new Perth office and a luxury private workspace for Marty Fox in Melbourne.

Final Takeaways:

• Design with purpose – Spaces should solve business challenges, not just look good.
• Speed wins deals – Rapid turnaround sets Made For apart.
• Flexibility is the future – The best offices adapt to how people actually work.

For anyone looking to transform their workspace, Mitch Jones is the go-to visionary—proving that great design isn’t just about looks, but about how it makes people feel and perform.

Listen to the full episode on With the Fox here: 

And follow Mitch on instagram: @milkjones