What does Pivotal do?
Pivotal is an independent brand studio. We create brand identities, motion and film, and websites, and offer ongoing creative direction.

Who do you work with?
Businesses at a turning point: growing, merging, entering new markets or outgrowing the brand they started with. We also work with marketing teams who need a creative lead, and with agencies and consultancies who need a trusted creative partner.

What makes Pivotal different?
Three things. You work directly with the person making the work. Identity, motion and web sit under one roof, so if your brand needs to move, it’s designed with that in mind from the start. And we’re small by design, so decisions are faster and more of your budget goes into the work.

Who actually does the work?
Rich Nicklen, founder and creative director, from first conversation to final file. When a project needs specialist skills, such as development or photography, Rich brings in trusted freelancers and directs them personally.

Where are you based?
On the south coast of England. We work with clients across the UK and abroad, in person or remotely.

Services

What’s included in a brand identity?
It depends on the project, but typically a logo and its variants, colour palette, typography, brand guidelines and the core assets you need to launch, such as templates and stationery. We can also design a logo animation, so the brand works on screen from day one. The scope is agreed upfront.

Do you do rebrands?
Yes. Often the best rebrand keeps what’s working and fixes what isn’t. We’ll help you decide how far to go, from a refresh to a complete rethink.

Can you design and build websites?
Yes. We design and build in Framer, so you can update content yourself. For more complex builds, we work with a trusted developer.

Do you make films and animation?
Yes, when a project needs them. That ranges from logo animations and brand films to product explainers and campaign content.

What is a fractional creative director?
Senior creative direction on a monthly retainer, for a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. It covers keeping the brand consistent, steering campaigns and briefing other suppliers.

Working together

What’s the process?
Four stages: define, design, develop and deliver. We start by understanding the business and its audience, then present a focused set of creative directions before refining and rolling out the chosen one.

How long does a project take?
It depends on scope. A focused refresh can take a few weeks, and a full identity with motion and web takes longer. We’ll give you a timeline once we understand the brief.

How much does it cost?
Every project is quoted as a fixed fee once we understand what’s needed, so there are no surprises. Share an approximate budget in the contact form and we’ll tell you honestly what it can achieve.

How many revisions are included?
Two rounds of revisions at each stage, unless the proposal says otherwise. Extra rounds or changes of direction are quoted before we start them.

Do you use AI?
We use AI to run the studio efficiently, for scheduling, notes and research. Concepts, design and creative direction come from us. If generative AI would ever form part of your work, we’ll ask first.

Do I need a brief before getting in touch?
No. Many projects start with a conversation about what’s changing in the business. We’ll help shape the brief from there.