Here at fathead, we believe in one thing: the power of great design. If truly skilled design is not present in your ad campaign, your website, your radio spots, your copy, or any other aspect of your project, then you have no solid foundation on which to base any type of campaign or undertaking. You'll hear us say that again and again when you work with us, and there's a reason why - because we truly believe that without great design, you have nothing.

We are a full service advertising agency, though we never took the word "design" out of our name for a good reason - we are, at heart - designers. Whether we are designing a print ad campaign, an e-commerce or "portfolio" (informational) website, retail packaging for a newly developed product, media scheduling for a retail or B-to-B client, radio spots, television commercials or an overall identity for a start-up business, these all take skilled designers to plan and execute to perfection.

Our story starts out like every other boutique agency out there: Started in the mid 90's by a couple who both worked for ad agencies in downtown Chicago, we were quite frustrated by the lack of individualism and creativity that we were allowed to use in our daily grind. So instead of sitting back and watching our creative efforts get watered down by too many committees and meetings, we decided to scrap it all. Advertising needed a fresh approach, and we were prepared to deliver.

One of the keys to why our creative stands out among the rest - we actually like our clients. We are genuinely interested in our clients and their businesses. We do not approach new clients with dollar signs in our eyes, we look for partners, a common goal, a new friend, the next step. It's as simple as that.

You see, if you like someone, you find yourself giving them the best side of you. You show off, try to impress, help out in any way you can - really try to shine. If you like each other a lot, then the relationship grows over time, and you show them all facets of your creative side. You perform under pressure, show understanding when necessary, and work through any issues that might arise until all problems get solved, and everyone benefits. You enjoy working with one another. You grow together. Everyone stays happy.

How do you feel about advertising? Be truthful - you consider it a necessary evil, last to be added and first to be dropped during a budget crunch, right? The red-headed step child of your business plan. There.. we said it for you, so now it's out in the open. We're fine with that. We know how you really feel, and we respect your position. As for your advertising budget, well - it's tiny, miniscule, maybe you don't even have a budget. A small budget is not news to us, because as far as we're concerned you have to start somewhere, even if that starting point is zero. We're expert at taking that small budget, seeing where it best fits, making it work, making it successful, and making sure that you find some love in your heart for that red-headed step child.

We never ask for a retainer - we do not believe in retainers and find them to be quite ridiculous and out of date. You don't pay your dentist a retainer every month, but you still know who to call when it is time to get your teeth cleaned. Our clients feel the same way. They don't throw us some predetermined fee once a month just to keep us content, we're content with the great relationships we have with our clients. Project by project, we're here and ready. For our clients, we are full service - that means so much to both them and us. The strength of our relationships, that means everything.

From a full blown, tailor made e-commerce website to a re-order of a box of 250 business cards for the new assistant... okay by us. The day-to-day, ins and outs of your business are important, very important. We know. We get it.

We get excited about new projects. Our staff is family, and so are our clients. At creative brainstorming time we wrangle everyone in and listen to each and every contribution. When we gather around the table to talk, sometimes it's a conference table and sometimes it's an air hockey table. Either way, you can be sure that the ideas are bouncing around, and the creative that comes away from these meetings is truly one of a kind. Not your average creative, not out of this studio. We're talking "knock your socks off" creative.

We help our clients. More doors open for them. We continue to help in bigger ways. They grow. We grow. It's a journey that we go on together. Planning, budgeting, forecasting, sketching, writing, outlining, capturing, proofing, approving, implementing, campaigning, tinkering, watching. Seeing. Believing. Beginning to end and over again. That's the power of truly great design.