© 2018-26
Ótimo brings strategy and craft into a single discipline: calibration. We tune ideas and design until both sit at their optimum.
Ótimo brings strategy and craft into a single discipline: calibration. We tune ideas and design until both sit at their optimum.
Ótimo brings strategy and craft into a single discipline: calibration. We tune ideas and design until both sit at their optimum.
At Ótimo, we keep our process clear, collaborative, and focused. We work closely as a small team, shaping each project with intention and care. Every idea is explored from multiple angles, refined together, and guided by a shared sense of purpose. The result is work that feels thoughtful, precise, and built to last beyond trends.Our way of working is straightforward. We stay small by choice, keeping the process open and honest so decisions remain meaningful. We believe clarity comes from collaboration, and that strong ideas emerge when the team thinks as one.
At Ótimo, we keep our process clear, collaborative, and focused. We work closely as a small team, shaping each project with intention and care. Every idea is explored from multiple angles, refined together, and guided by a shared sense of purpose. The result is work that feels thoughtful, precise, and built to last beyond trends. Our way of working is straightforward. We stay small by choice, keeping the process open and honest so decisions remain meaningful. We believe clarity comes from collaboration, and that strong ideas emerge when the team thinks as one.
Our Services
Our Services
If you’re looking for clarity in design, let’s build it together.
If you’re looking for clarity in design, let’s build it together.
A /
We create identity systems that bring clarity and distinction to brands - thoughtful visuals, cohesive structure, and design that lasts.
Brand Strategy
Visual Identity System
Logo & Mark Development
Typography & Colour System
Asset Library
Brand Guidelines
A /
We create identity systems that bring clarity and distinction to brands - thoughtful visuals, cohesive structure, and design that lasts.
Brand Strategy
Visual Identity System
Logo & Mark Development
Typography & Colour System
Asset Library
Brand Guidelines
A /
We create identity systems that bring clarity and distinction to brands - thoughtful visuals, cohesive structure, and design that lasts.
Brand Strategy
Visual Identity System
Logo & Mark Development
Typography & Colour System
Asset Library
Brand Guidelines
B /
We design intuitive, expressive digital experiences shaped by strong visual direction and seamless interaction across all screens.
Website & Platform Design
Interaction & Motion Guidelines
UI Systems
Component Libraries
Digital Guidelines
B /
We design intuitive, expressive digital experiences shaped by strong visual direction and seamless interaction across all screens.
Website & Platform Design
Interaction & Motion Guidelines
UI Systems
Component Libraries
Digital Guidelines
B /
We design intuitive, expressive digital experiences shaped by strong visual direction and seamless interaction across all screens.
Website & Platform Design
Interaction & Motion Guidelines
UI Systems
Component Libraries
Digital Guidelines
C /
We guide ideas from concept to execution, shaping visual and narrative direction for consistent expression across every touchpoint.
Visual Direction
Campaign Concepts
Art Direction for Photo & Film
Tone & Narrative Guidance
Style Frameworks
World Building
C /
We guide ideas from concept to execution, shaping visual and narrative direction for consistent expression across every touchpoint.
Visual Direction
Campaign Concepts
Art Direction for Photo & Film
Tone & Narrative Guidance
Style Frameworks
World Building
C /
We guide ideas from concept to execution, shaping visual and narrative direction for consistent expression across every touchpoint.
Visual Direction
Campaign Concepts
Art Direction for Photo & Film
Tone & Narrative Guidance
Style Frameworks
World Building
D /
We help teams make confident decisions by defining direction, sharpening positioning, and building the foundation for meaningful growth.
Brand Strategy
Brand Positioningrket & Audience Insights
Market & Audience Insights
Naming & Messaging
Design Audits
Roadmaps & Recommendations
D /
We help teams make confident decisions by defining direction, sharpening positioning, and building the foundation for meaningful growth.
Brand Strategy
Brand Positioningrket & Audience Insights
Market & Audience Insights
Naming & Messaging
Design Audits
Roadmaps & Recommendations
D /
We help teams make confident decisions by defining direction, sharpening positioning, and building the foundation for meaningful growth.
Brand Strategy
Brand Positioningrket & Audience Insights
Market & Audience Insights
Naming & Messaging
Design Audits
Roadmaps & Recommendations
Our Founder
Our Founder
Founded in 2025 by Ian Howarth, after twenty-six years across global agencies, enterprise consultancies, and founder-led ventures. What began as a solo practice has grown into a small collective: twelve senior collaborators across three continents, working from offices in Malta and Dubai, and as a creative supplier within the Deus X Capital network.
Founded in 2025 by Ian Howarth, after twenty-six years across global agencies, enterprise consultancies, and founder-led ventures. What began as a solo practice has grown into a small collective: twelve senior collaborators across three continents, working from offices in Malta and Dubai, and as a creative supplier within the Deus X Capital network.
Our Partners
Our Partners
Here are some of the brands we’ve had the privilege to collaborate with.
Here are some of the brands we’ve had the privilege to collaborate with.
The Process
The Process
Calibration, in four phases.
Calibration, in four phases.
01
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03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
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Discovery
Discovery
Strategy
Strategy
Design / Build
Design / Build
Launch & Beyond
Launch & Beyond
Discovery
Discovery
We start by listening. This phase is about understanding your goals, audience, and challenges - finding clarity before we begin designing.
We start by listening. This phase is about understanding your goals, audience, and challenges - finding clarity before we begin designing.
Strategy
Strategy
We translate insights into direction. Here, we define the concept, structure, and creative approach that shape your brand or digital product.
We translate insights into direction. Here, we define the concept, structure, and creative approach that shape your brand or digital product.
Design / Build
Design / Build
Ideas take form. From visual identity to interactive experience, we design, prototype, and develop with precision and care.
Ideas take form. From visual identity to interactive experience, we design, prototype, and develop with precision and care.
Launch & Beyond
Launch & Beyond
Delivery is only the beginning. We test, refine, and support long after launch - ensuring the work performs and evolves over time.
Delivery is only the beginning. We test, refine, and support long after launch - ensuring the work performs and evolves over time.
Client reflections
Honest impressions from the teams we’ve collaborated with across brand and digital work.
Client reflections
Honest impressions from the teams we’ve collaborated with across brand and digital work.
Client reflections
Honest impressions from the teams we’ve collaborated with across brand and digital work.
Pricing
Choose a plan that fits your pace, your team, and your goals. From startups to scaling brands, our options give you the design support you need.
Not sure where to start? Let’s figure it out together.
Brand Sprint
(2 weeks) For founders who need brand clarity, fast.
Discovery sessions
Brand direction
Logo & mark
Visual system
Color & typography
Basic brand guidelines
Starting from
Studio Package
(4-6 Weeks) For founders preparing to raise.
Discovery sessions
Brand foundations
Visual identity
MMessaging & narrative
Landing page
Pitch deck design
Starting from
Signature Package
(8+ weeks) For funded teams ready to scale.
Brand system
Identity & guidelines
Messaging architecture
Multi-page website
Product UI direction
Launch kit
Starting from
Pricing
Choose a plan that fits your pace, your team, and your goals. From startups to scaling brands, our options give you the design support you need.
Brand Sprint
(2 weeks) For founders who need brand clarity, fast.
Discovery sessions
Brand direction
Logo & mark
Visual system
Color & typography
Basic brand guidelines
Starting from
Studio Package
(4-6 Weeks) For founders preparing to raise.
Discovery sessions
Brand foundations
Visual identity
MMessaging & narrative
Landing page
Pitch deck design
Starting from
Signature Package
(8+ weeks) For funded teams ready to scale.
Brand system
Identity & guidelines
Messaging architecture
Multi-page website
Product UI direction
Launch kit
Starting from
Pricing
Choose a plan that fits your pace, your team, and your goals. From startups to scaling brands, our options give you the design support you need.
Brand Sprint
(2 weeks) For founders who need brand clarity, fast.
Discovery sessions
Brand direction
Logo & mark
Visual system
Color & typography
Basic brand guidelines
Starting from
Studio Package
(4-6 Weeks) For founders preparing to raise.
Discovery sessions
Brand foundations
Visual identity
MMessaging & narrative
Landing page
Pitch deck design
Starting from
Signature Package
(8+ weeks) For funded teams ready to scale.
Brand system
Identity & guidelines
Messaging architecture
Multi-page website
Product UI direction
Launch kit
Starting from
Our thoughts on how brands, systems, and stories find their form.
Studio Notes
May 25th, 2026
ARTICLE - I've spent twenty-six years building brands across three continents — Manchester, Sydney, and now Lisbon, where I run Otimo Studio. The one thing that journey has taught me: a brand without a strategy is just decoration. And in a market with thirty million tokens, decoration won't save you.
January 4, 2026
ARTICLE - This article offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey behind Saltwater Games' (SWG) inaugural NFT, the Paddock Pass NFT Series 1.
Our thoughts on how brands, systems, and stories find their form.
Studio Notes
May 25th, 2026
ARTICLE - I've spent twenty-six years building brands across three continents — Manchester, Sydney, and now Lisbon, where I run Otimo Studio. The one thing that journey has taught me: a brand without a strategy is just decoration. And in a market with thirty million tokens, decoration won't save you.
Studio Notes
May 25th, 2026
ARTICLE - I've spent twenty-six years building brands across three continents — Manchester, Sydney, and now Lisbon, where I run Otimo Studio. The one thing that journey has taught me: a brand without a strategy is just decoration. And in a market with thirty million tokens, decoration won't save you.
Do you feel ready to become part of our growing team?
Let’s Talk!
Questions, answered.
Learn more about the people and principles behind Learn more about the people and principles behind Ótimo.
A
How do you start a new project?
We start by listening. Every project begins with a short discovery phase where we learn about your goals, challenges, and expectations. From there, we define the creative direction, map out deliverables, and set a timeline that balances clarity with craft.
How do you start a new project?
We start by listening. Every project begins with a short discovery phase where we learn about your goals, challenges, and expectations. From there, we define the creative direction, map out deliverables, and set a timeline that balances clarity with craft.
A
Can you help with strategy, not just design?
Can you help with strategy, not just design?
Yes - strategy is part of everything we do. Before we design, we help define your message, audience, and positioning. That foundation shapes how your brand looks, feels, and communicates across every touchpoint.
A
How long does a typical project take?
How long does a typical project take?
It depends on the scope and level of detail. A small website or brand refresh may take around 4–6 weeks, while larger, more complex projects often need 8–12 weeks. We always plan collaboratively to make sure deadlines fit both sides.
A
What if I don’t know exactly what I need?
What if I don’t know exactly what I need?
That’s completely fine. Many collaborations start that way. We’ll guide you through a short discovery process to clarify your goals and define what makes the most impact — whether it’s a rebrand, a digital experience, or something entirely new.
Still have questions? Let’s talk about your project and how we can help.
Questions, answered.
Learn more about the people and principles behind Learn more about the people and principles behind Ótimo.
A
How do you start a new project?
How do you start a new project?
We start by listening. Every project begins with a short discovery phase where we learn about your goals, challenges, and expectations. From there, we define the creative direction, map out deliverables, and set a timeline that balances clarity with craft.
A
Can you help with strategy, not just design?
Can you help with strategy, not just design?
Yes - strategy is part of everything we do. Before we design, we help define your message, audience, and positioning. That foundation shapes how your brand looks, feels, and communicates across every touchpoint.
A
How long does a typical project take?
How long does a typical project take?
It depends on the scope and level of detail. A small website or brand refresh may take around 4–6 weeks, while larger, more complex projects often need 8–12 weeks. We always plan collaboratively to make sure deadlines fit both sides.
A
What if I don’t know exactly what I need?
What if I don’t know exactly what I need?
That’s completely fine. Many collaborations start that way. We’ll guide you through a short discovery process to clarify your goals and define what makes the most impact — whether it’s a rebrand, a digital experience, or something entirely new.
Still have questions? Let’s talk about your project and how we can help.
Questions, answered.
Learn more about the people and principles behind Learn more about the people and principles behind Ótimo.
A
How do you start a new project?
How do you start a new project?
We start by listening. Every project begins with a short discovery phase where we learn about your goals, challenges, and expectations. From there, we define the creative direction, map out deliverables, and set a timeline that balances clarity with craft.
A
Can you help with strategy, not just design?
Can you help with strategy, not just design?
Yes - strategy is part of everything we do. Before we design, we help define your message, audience, and positioning. That foundation shapes how your brand looks, feels, and communicates across every touchpoint.
A
How long does a typical project take?
How long does a typical project take?
It depends on the scope and level of detail. A small website or brand refresh may take around 4–6 weeks, while larger, more complex projects often need 8–12 weeks. We always plan collaboratively to make sure deadlines fit both sides.
A
What if I don’t know exactly what I need?
What if I don’t know exactly what I need?
That’s completely fine. Many collaborations start that way. We’ll guide you through a short discovery process to clarify your goals and define what makes the most impact — whether it’s a rebrand, a digital experience, or something entirely new.
Still have questions? Let’s talk about your project and how we can help.