about us

We are a branding firm focusing on hospitality & upmarket brands

Our process merges strategy and design expertise with methods from behavioral economics to build brands that win customers, not just awards. As an independent family-run firm we combine decades of industry experience with a strong academic background.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Michael Svec

Managing Partner

As founder of Motiva, Michael primarily focuses on brand strategy and has over 25 years of experience in the industry. After studying in Vienna and London, he began his career as a graphic designer at the Austrian national broadcaster ORF. In 2002, he founded Cliptease, a motion graphics studio specialized in channel identities for TV and animated commercials. Later on, he established Studio Q Brand Lab, now rebranded as Motiva. His passion for branding also led him to academia, as he spent several years sharing his insights on corporate design with students at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences.

Iva Rakic-Svec

Creative Director & Partner

With 20 years of experience in the industry, Iva comes from a strong background in art direction, storytelling, and design. After completing her studies at the University of Arts in Belgrade, Iva worked at global ad agencies such as Publicis and FCB. Raised in the world of old-school advertising, she calls herself a ‘classic ad enthusiast.’ As the founder and driving force behind the IkoHundred% design studio, she crafted the look and feel of several Google-funded Silicon Valley startups, alongside her role as an art director and graphic designer for internationally awarded feature films. At Motiva, Iva focuses on a human-centric approach to branding.

Univ.-Prof. Ivica Rakic

Advisor to the board

A true pioneer of graphic design and advertising, Prof. Rakic stands as a key figure of the Ex-Yugoslavian design scene. With a career spanning over 50 years, he has worked extensively in various fields, including international tourism advertising, science, environmental advocacy, and educational campaigns, mastering diverse areas ranging from branding to animation and packaging. His experience has been compiled in several books on the subject. Serving as a full professor and department head of graphic design at The University of Arts in Belgrade for over two decades, he has developed study programs in cooperation with various international universities and has inspired generations of students.

An international team

of brand strategists, art directors, graphic designers, copywriters in German and English and a tight network of partners in sound design, architecture, web development.

Based in Vienna

our office is located amidst the downtown buzz, a hub of tourism and cultural allure.

Reaching hearts globally

for clients from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Serbia, UK, USA, Australia

We believe

That branding is a fusion of art and science.

Building a strong brand needs long-term thinking.

Authenticity is key to creating brands that people love.

The branding process, that turned Familyhotels into Familux Resorts, has raised our family-run hotel group to a whole new level – thanks to the people behind Studio Q Brand Lab, who put their hearts and souls into this project.

florian mayer

Managing partner at Familux Resorts

We were very impressed with the agency’s expertise in the strategy phase, such as the depth of the target group analysis. The cooperation with the entire team was great during the implementation. The result is very beautiful and the feedback from our guests is excellent.

Anton Greiderer

General Manager at Hotel Kaiserhof Vienna

It’s simply fun to collaborate with Michael Svec and his team. When it comes to realising our visions, they are competent and precise and pay attention to every detail.

Doris Kurtz

Co-Owner of Hotel Das Tigra