About Pivot

We launched Pivot in 1998 with a mission to help organizations strengthen their products and services by using our Five-Phase "People Centred Design" process. With insight, investigation, imagination and improvement, we use informed design to communicate with impact.

Our methodology is grounded by user behaviour research, communications audits and stakeholder interviews so we can experience your organization as your customers and clients do.

We seek to inject your message, style and positioning into every product or service experience. Whether we’re working in physical, print or digital space, we regard every aspect of your customer experience as a highly integrated system designed to communicate your attitude and your identity to the world.

Great design works in the real world. We believe there is a pivot point where form and function converge to create products and services that embody your mission and your passion. We deploy our expertise to help you achieve the balance between attitude and utility.

Great design is good for business. We believe that well designed products and services create value. We rely on a road-tested approach that combines imagination, intuition and experience to make all your communications both expressive and persuasive.

Great design is about time. We believe in building long-term relationships with our clients. We know that every business is a work-in-progress, and so we seek to be your trusted partner as you adapt your voice to changing market trends and technologies. 



Great design demands responsible thinking. We believe in design solutions that are both practical to implement and sustainable (e.g., working with printers who use vegetable-based inks). Our solutions will be as easy on your budget as they are on the environment. 

 



Designers should lend a hand. We believe in investing in the community. Every year, we’re committed to supporting the following organizations, through charitable design, consulting and time:

PENCILS FOR KIDS - www.pencilsforkids.com
Pivot has been a design partner of Pencil for Kids since 2006.

"Pivot and principal Ian Chalmers are responsible for designing our wonderful and heartwarming Pencils for Kids website and all of our Communication materials. We couldn't be happier with the results. The feedback has been fantastic. Ian has guided us through every phase of the website process with an expertise, insight and wisdom that is not only detail oriented but has a big picture vision. As a company, Pivot has a genuine understanding of the target audience and this is reflected in every decision made.

Communication materials always convey our message with style and clarity. Over the past years Pivot has shown such talent in designing our web and print advertising that it has captured the imagination of people everywhere and resulted in tremendous contributions to our cause. We have been overwhelmed by the effectiveness of their design campaign.
As a charitable organization, Pencils for Kids is so fortunate to have Pivot as its designer and communications specialist - a company with a huge humanitarian heart, an expertise second to none and a caring, patient and sincere approach.

I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone the great team at Pivot." Robin Mednick

To keep our creative fresh, responsive and affordable, we forge the creative vision with you, then involve specialized industry partners as needed, so you get the value of our collaboration when you need it. Some people call this approach ‘siloed’ or ‘lean’. We call it working well together.

Akendi

Usability research and testing
www.akendi.com

Stratcom

A full-service communications, opinion research and fundraising consulting firm, specializing in non-profit, advocacy work.
www.stratcom.ca