Meet the Duo Behind the Work
Debbie Trout
Founder & Designer
❋ LEO
❋ HOT TEA
❋ LEWIS HAMILTON WON 8 TITLES
Debbie is the creative force at Trout Design Co. and the reason every brand we touch has a point of view. With an MA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University along with agency experience under her belt, she founded TDC in 2017 with one goal: to build brands that actually mean something. She has a gift for seeing what others overlook finding the unexpected angle, the deeper meaning, the detail that makes a brand impossible to ignore. Every design decision is intentional, layered with purpose and crafted to authentically showcase who you are and what you stand for. When she's not in a flow state building out a brand system, you'll find her skateboarding, dreaming of the Hawaiʻi sun, or hanging with her Golden Retriever Sunny.
Tim Trout
Strategist & Project Manager
❋ SAGITTARIUS
❋ COFFEE
❋ SHOOK ELTON JOHN'S HAND ONCE
Tim is the reason our work is as smart as it is beautiful. He brings analytical thinking, outside-the-box ideas, and a layer of strategic depth that keeps every project grounded and on point. Think of him as the compass that keeps the creative ship on course, while still managing to teach 6th grade math during the school year. (Yes, really.) His background in research and strategy means nothing we create is accidental every element has intention behind it. He also once shook Elton John's hand, which is arguably his greatest credential.
How We Work
Step 1: Discover
Who Are Ya?
Every great brand starts with deep listening. We kick things off with a discovery call to get under the hood of your business, who you are, where you're headed, and what makes you different from everyone else in your space. From there, we build a strategic blueprint that maps out the vision, the direction, and the aesthetic foundation before a single pixel is placed. This is what separates brands that last from ones that just look nice.
Step 2: Design
The Flow State
This is where strategy becomes something you can see. Armed with our discovery insights and a clear creative direction, we enter full flow state, exploring, iterating, and pushing until we land on the design that truly captures your brand. We present everything with full mockups so you can see exactly how it lives in the real world, on packaging, signage, screens, wherever your brand shows up. Then we refine together until it's nothing short of a chef's kiss.
Step 3: Launch
Here's to You!
The finish line and the starting line. We add the final touches, deliver a complete set of brand assets, and hand over a comprehensive Brand Guidelines book so you always know exactly how to use your brand with confidence. Think of it as your brand's owner's manual. Then we pop the champagne, make a toast to you and everything you've built, and send you off ready to take on the world. And just because the project wraps doesn't mean we disappear, your brand becomes a part of our story just as much as it becomes yours, and we're always here when you need us.
A Few Places We've Left Our Mark
Eight years in, and our work calls a lot of places home. Based in Greenville, SC, but our brands have shown up across the country and beyond. We're location-independent and client-focused, which means wherever you are, we're ready to build something great together.
= Clients
Beyond
We do work with clients outside the US, as well!
We've had the opportunity to work with some truly amazing people and their brands.
