DNTL Code
Broome Broome Broome, shake the room.
Dear Steph,
Thanks for your time on the phone. I’m excited keep talking about being your brand partner, and working together as DNTL Code goes from strength to strength in this next chapter.
I hope that in the last 4 years we’ve shown our dedication as an extension of your team, not only as a matter of convenience, but also as partners who understand the bigger picture. We’ve been there from the beginning, and I love when you call for a second opinion.
I invite you to take a look around our website, which shows more about what we stand for, and the work we’re most proud of.
I’ve put together a scope for brand consultation and costs based on what we can bring to the table in a truly collaborative and meaningful partnership.
Trish Johnstone
Creative Director
Trish Johnstone
GRAPHIC DESIGNER + CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Since graduating from the University of Canberra in 2007 (B. Graphic Design), I’ve worked across a number of industries in both full service and in-house design team environments. I started Oath + Stone in 2017 after I tackled the biggest branding project of my life - our wedding. I wanted my clients (whether high school sweethearts or passionate CEOs) to have access to design that was an intuitive reflection of them and their work.
Artistic and analytical at heart, I get to know my clients and their businesses in a way that allows me to make informed decisions that directly contribute to their success. I’m often their go-to call when they have a problem they want to talk through, or when they don’t know what their next move is.
I’ve helped businesses that are creating new rules for their industry, advocates whose lived experiences result in solutions that heal, and people who just want to make you feel at home when you walk in the door. My curious and holistic way of approaching the branding and marketing process means that I ask questions to connect with your purpose, and with the people you serve.
Outside of O+S, I’ve contributed to the design industry though mentoring and lecturing at the University of Canberra, as well as other students around the country. I’m also a council member with the Design Institute of Australia, and regularly advocate for micro and small business designers in regional areas. I host my podcast Creative Bones, speaking to people across a wide range of professions about their version of creativity.
Working together
Just like in life, we believe that the pursuit of our goals needs to be relentless, but the journey needs to be flexible. That’s why our studio has moved away from traditional aspects of an hourly rate, time recording, and a rigid list of upfront deliverables.
By engaging O+S on a simple monthly retainer, we can have the freedom to identify opportunities for your business, solve problems creatively, roll with unexpected obstacles, and help you prioritise the steps to get there.
With over 22 years in my field, I’ve built an extensive network of capable and talented creative professionals, tailored to suit the goals of your business. By speaking the language, and knowing who to call, you’re left to focus on what you do best.
What to expect:
Strategic, creative, holistic advice on how to solve a problem or reach a specific goal (e.g. your brand launch)
Regular meetings and unlimited consultation
A focus on brand outcomes instead of output
A brand custodian, filling the gap of an in-house brand and marketing team
An understanding of how the whole of your business works, so every solution we propose aligns with your purpose
A partnership, not just a single transaction; a mutual appreciation of each other’s skills
Expert advice on a number of areas including design, branding, marketing, printing, user experience design, photography, signage, copywriting, AI, web, illustration, packaging, and large format art pieces
Coordination and oversight of projects and sub-contractors to bring the vision together, production of critical pieces, sourcing the right talent, or arming your team with a clear brief to self-serve
What we don’t do:
We don’t design and dash. We work with you in a partnership, not to fulfill quick orders to tick a box.
We don’t like trends. If it’s viral, it means it’s been done. We think about the unique spin we can put on your brand through great quality visuals, clever copy and thoughtful consideration for your audience.
Rush. We’re proactive, deliberate, and organised. “Needing it yesterday” isn’t a thing anymore.
Time recording or hourly rates. We just get in and do things.
Lengthy reports, or token slide decks. I’ll make notes as actionable next steps in our regular meetings, and if you need clarification on anything, I’m only a phone call away.
Get weird about money. We propose a fee that allows us the time and space to give you our best, and one that doesn’t keep you up at night.
Surprises. Whether it’s a matter of budget, creative feedback, or a difference of opinions, you can expect open and honest conversation every step of the way. We don’t let things fester.
Showreel
We've worked with a lot of different businesses over the last eight and a half years, and we're proud of the positive impact we've been able to have in making their visual presence a success.
Here’s some of our most memorable, vibrant and favourite work.
Costs and consultation
Brand consultancy retainer: $2,500 / month
Proposed stages and priorities:
Initial: Discovery workshop to uncover all brand and marketing priorities for the next 6-12 months, and creation of roadmap for marketing goals.
Early: Implement activities, materials, and awareness needed for BHWC move and other goals arising from roadmap. Tackle lower priority updating of brand library if needed. Monitor ongoing brand priorities, and present opportunities.
Ongoing: Brand awareness and establishing authority in the market (e.g. seasonal goals and events, community engagement, growth, marketing campaigns). Monitor ongoing brand priorities and present opportunities.
Discovery + Roadmap
I’ll facilitate a discovery workshop to understand your latest vision for DNTL Code, and define what the next 6-12 months look like. Together we’ll create an actionable roadmap for our immediate priorities so we can stay proactive instead of reactive. If needed, we’ll define the assets and tools needed to get there (e.g. signage, opening events, content creation, before and after care materials).
Regular meetings
We’ll meet regularly (e.g. once a fortnight) to keep momentum on deliverables and adjust our priorities as needed, as well as keep up to date on what’s happening in clinic.
Creative direction
If we determine that additional assets need to be created (e.g. brochures, signage, eDMs), I’ll coordinate their production, assemble the right team, or prepare a clear brief for these to be completed in-house. Please note that these costs may lie outside the scope of the retainer, and costs will always be confirmed with you before any work goes ahead. I’ll also act as the point person for your existing providers, such as website designers, printers and signage providers, to allow you to focus on more DNTL-Codey things.
Ongoing consultation
As your creative partner, it will be my responsibility to identify opportunities for the brand to remain as strong as possible. By setting a strong foundation and understanding how your business operates, it will allow me to do things as simple as checking any templates are still easy to use three months down the track, or reviewing the user journey of a patient and all the brand touch points they have. We’ll continue to meet regularly, and adjust priorities as needed.
Some of our clients
When I came to Oath + Stone for the branding for my new law firm, I wanted something a bit different.
Trish unflinchingly brought all the elements in my design brief together into a beautiful concept that spoke to our vision while being serious enough to be accepted.
Trish takes your brand work seriously, managing any delivery from end to end and using a tight network of fantastic printers and sign writers to bring your collateral to life.
Louise Morris, Director Morris Legal Group
