W
alking into an office which has its own coffee bar, Apple products as far as the eye can see and – this is the best part – its own dog, it’s easy to see that Ulster Business hasn’t arrived in your standard, run-ofthe-mill Northern Ireland business. Instead we’re at the Bangor office of Design Ethos, a web and branding company with a difference. Of course, every business which is responsible for the image of others is going to say it’s unique and different, but it’s what makes this 16-year old firm stand out which is interesting. So what is it? It’s simple. Design Ethos has an unwavering specialist focus. With a quick tour of the studio, you can easily witness the scope of work.
The secret weapon of pitches Ulster Business caught up with Kyle Cromie from Design Ethos to find out what makes it tick and how it helps companies win business
46
Poornima and Camilo (who were recently awarded best e-commerce site at the IDI Awards for scatterpin.com.) were heads down and continuing the development of the Gobbins website; Jonathan was adding some serious special effects for a client film that had to be completed that day for a pitch; David was developing a complex sequence for a 3D walkthrough, and Avril, Client Executive, was liaising with a brand new client on a their project. Time for a flat white and a chat with founder Kyle Cromie while Bears, the dog, gets comfortable. So what is all this about a unique focus? “We focus on the power of presentation,” he explained. “We help companies present, pitch for work and most important of all – impress. Oh and we don’t use PowerPoint.” It’s hard to imagine how presentations can really take the world by storm, after all, we all have to do them. So why has it been such a huge success for Design Ethos? Some recent projects could shine a light.