E-ticket attractions.
Stories are about something – and it’s not the subject. Dogs. Vikings. Spaceships. Detectives. All neutral. Stories are about the moods, the ideas, the sensations that underlie them. These come through not because what they are about, but because of how they are told. –Joe Rhode
FESTHAUS, a multi-disciplinary design studio founded and directed by Matt Hunter Ross, has created original, engaging creative content for nearly 20 years. He leans towards media design for themed entertainment, but work with clients of various industries, shapes and sizes.
We deliver “E-ticket” design – meaningful, polished, high-end, top-tier solutions – for every project. Original concept and story development, writing, illustration, design, animation, solo projects or large campaigns.
THEMED APPROACH
Matt uses a “themed” design approach – creating a fully immersive design package via unifying holistic messaging specifically for your specific project – activated through original digital AND tactile solutions.
TACTILE ART & DESIGN
Like most studios today, we primarily in digital spheres, but with a foundation in the classical studio arts we can also create actual, tangible assets to support your story – through drawing, painting, fabrication, set design, and so on.
This is not just a fine artist loft, digital design firm, 2D motion design house, or 3D visualization studio – but an amalgamation of those spaces.
ORIGINALITY, HONESTY & INTEGRITY
Not experts at everything of course, but he is confident in his ability to create something thoughtful, meticulous, and unique – believing in and striving for the best on every project we take.
That being said, if your requests fall outside of our wheelhouse, then he’ll be honest with you – we can either partner with those who can support the project, or point you in the right direction toward those who can solve your problem one-on-one with you.
COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS
Matt sincerely wants you to succeed, so he thoroughly research and then carefully implement proprietary design resulting in the best solution for your project to complement or continue the overall message of your campaign and company. He commits to delivering a high-end product for you.
MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY PICTURE.
While we may create fantastic visuals, more importantly, FESTHAUS is there to foster your story’s creation, nurture its development, and help it thrive in the world.
We’re not here to just create eye candy – a meaningful story, intentional design, and appropriate implementation is at the heart of everything we do.
All for you and your audience.
And experience matters. We’ve been writing, designing, illustrating, building, and animating upmarket, professional projects since: YouTube switched on, Fosset flew the globe, and Disneyland turned 50.
We have extensive experience creating unique, intentional, polished presentations that tell stories in interesting and engaging ways, leaving satisfied audiences far and wide.
But you don’t have to take our word for it – here’s what others have had to say:
Matt Hunter Ross – Director & Designer
Portrait by Elizabeth Ross.
FESTHAUS is my personal portfolio and boutique Cincinnati-based design studio with a wide-range of artistic capabilities – delivering original, educated, intentional design for 20 years.
Specializing in video and entertainment design, but also extending unique, well-rounded design expertise to every client’s project, no matter the size or industry – from engaging design, branding packages, and motion media solutions for any platform, to support for immersive and interactive experiences, and beyond – always with solid storytelling and design at the core.
What does “themed design” mean for your project? Well, it’s design with an overarching, holistic objective – a complete immersion of messaging. Generally, it entails making sure there is a cohesive, consistent, unifying visual story combined with detailed, intentional design to accurately reflect your project, brand, and company. It’s not just eye candy – it’s design with meaning that extends throughout all segments of your project or business, digitally and experientially.
In an effort to explore the best solution for you, we understand digital and analog design methods. Personally, as a student of the classical studio arts, animation, and architecture – as well as an illustrator and author – I have a thorough understanding of the visual arts from linear, dimensional, and tactile perspectives, along with over 20 years of digital experience.
Combined with a love of research, curation, and intentional design, these experiences lead to thoroughly unique and engaging solutions for clients and projects of all types.
I look forward to working with you.
Proudly part of
FESTHAUS has worked with over 80 brands, products, and companies –
and counting.
In addition to many sub-labels, special events, small businesses and startups (not listed below).
For a project list that reflects your specific initiatives, please –
Choose your own adventure.
Select from any or all of the steps below to complete your project.
CONCEPT
Create your narrative.
What do you want to say? We explore this through text and illustration – from story development, to script and copywriting, storyboards and visual concept design.
DESIGN
Define the look.
A great story paired with great design gets great traction. From simple logos to full marketing packages, we design for your brand as needed to tell your story in a convincing and entertaining way.
ACTIVATION
Put it in motion.
Activate and propel your story further through intentional design, finessed animation, upmarket video, social GIFs, handmade kinetic displays – any approach appropriate for your message.
EXHIBITION
Present it to the world!
Whether you require tactile sets for live shows or just a digital presentation, we can design and install the pieces, polish the edges, and help market it to your audience.
Our process is simple.
No lengthy contracts. No nickel-and-diming.
We try not to convolute things. Let us know what you need, when you need it, and how much you’d like to invest in it – and we’ll jump on it.
We simply define what we can accomplish within your budget and timeline, and then immediately get to work creating something great for you.
We can complete a project from scratch, or build upon pieces that you may have already implemented. For example:
Have an idea of what you want your company branding to look like, but need help fleshing it out? We can help write and visualize your story through messaging, design, logo, website, video, social media, and more.
We’ll create it.
Already have a core branding package, but need supplementary design and marketing collateral?
We’re on it.
Want to activate your message through video? Script, design, animation, editing, audio – for reels, broadcast ads, online marketing, event videos…
You’ve got it.
Have your digital and print assets covered, but need physical signage (or other tangible assets)?
We’ll build it.
Have your complete branding in the books, but your walls and windows are bare? We can paint them up, set up a display, and create some interest in your physical space.
No problem.
Already working with an agency or studio, but would like us to handle some specific aspects of your project?
We’ll partner with them.
Vision + Values
= Purpose.
Implementing any or all of the solutions above that you request, we complete your project as quickly and thoroughly as possible via a compact, agile, experienced, hands-on team that creates engaging, bespoke solutions.
We are committed to creativity, optimism, integrity, and excellence – authentic and sincere design through honest and reliable engagement, easy collaboration, and old-fashioned hard work. We are not infallible, but we will commit to your project, fight for your story, and strive for excellence. Every time.
STUDIO STRUCTURE
Small team, big ideas.
Our process is simple and personal, as nearly every portion of your project creation is derived from our in-house staff. The people that you communicate with at inception are the same people that spearhead the concept, creative, design, activation, and installation of your work – there are no “middlemen” or third party directors who may dilute your vision and investment.
Your ideas and budget are not filtered down through several levels of management before reaching those that actually create the work, nor do we farm out complete projects to subcontractors. We are not an agency or studio that just manages a queue of transient freelancers who create all of the work, then call it our own. While we may build out larger temporary teams in the event that a portion of the project exceeds our capabilities or timeframe, it is a minimal, technical partnership – the concept, design and direction always stays in-house.
In most cases, the Creative Director is the Art Director is the Designer, and so on. We feel that this helps to maintain stronger design coherency for solo projects, as well as consistency in design and story for multiple projects and larger ongoing campaigns.
IDEATION & CREATION
Authentic ideas, bespoke solutions.
To reiterate: we love design that best reflects you.
We try to steer clear of stock assets, will not add design for design’s sake, don’t hinge on trends to be trendy, or cut corners just to get a project out the door. We make handcrafted, intentional, finessed solutions that best align with your project needs, and we believe that our studio structure best supports this goal.
Your project deserves the original thought, research, and personalization that supports your design equity and project intent. This made-to-order promise results in meaningful messaging, intentional design, and in the end, deeper long-lasting value for your brand.
You will always receive thoughtful, personalized service and the attention to detail that your project deserves. Your success is our reward.