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A design and experiential marketing agency with a company culture of design and marketing excellence based in Knoxville, Tennessee, since 2001, designsensory's mission is to cultivate creativity and innovation throughout the entire organisation while seamlessly combining digital, social media, advertising, and public relations services for its clients. What began as a dream in Knoxville, Tennessee, has blossomed into a full-service, award-winning marketing and advertising agency from coast to coast.
Today, the company houses an experienced staff of over 35. They refer to themselves as "unicorns" because they possess unique skills, creativity, and resolve. Their creed is basic but potent: no ego, no frills, just a unified desire to win collectively.
Designsensory partners with clients as strategic thinkers and doers. Whether starting from nothing, breathing new life into a brand or providing the extra edge in-house Marketing teams demand, one thing remains constant – we crave working that means something; that delivers.
Services that Make an Impact
Designsensory is not content to rest on its laurels. Instead, the company provides an array of services to provide clients with a one-stop shop for everything they need. These include:
Creative and Branding – Creating brand identities that get noticed and remembered.
Digital and Web: Creating attractive web and digital experiences that work and are easy to use.
Marketing and Social-Create campaigns that meet audiences where they already are.
Research and Intelligence – Employing data and evidence to drive decision-making and an approach to strategy that lands.
Content and Motion – Creation of new storytelling, video and motion graphics that make ideas meaningful, visceral.
Its work has connected various industries, including health care, entertainment, education, retail and tourism. Clients have included better-known names such as Regal Cinemas, Covenant Health, Zoo Knoxville and Old Dominick Distillery.
The Creative Force: Joseph Nother
At the centre of the Designsensory story is Joseph Nother, Co-CEO and Chief Creative Officer. Joseph was instrumental from the agency's start. We are enthusiastic about his high-level creative instinct tempered with a strong strategic and business sense.
Joseph is a leader and a creator. His work has been recognised locally, nationally, and globally by prestigious institutions such as the American Advertising Federation, AIGA, and the Emmys. His creative eye and commitment to storytelling have much to do with the agency's overall success.
But Joseph's skills extend beyond Designsensory. He also co-founded PopFizz, a production company specialising in premium branded content. One of his most significant projects was Tennessee Uncharted, a nature travel series praised for its gripping, big-screen storytelling, which landed him local Emmy nominations.
Born to an Entrepreneurial Spirit
Joseph's journey to leadership and design began early. A Knoxville native, he started his first business at 15. By 20, he co-founded Designsensory, establishing the groundwork for what has become one of the region's most influential agencies.
Even though he has a degree in psychology, Joseph learned design and storytelling from scratch through trial and error, mentors, and an intense desire for learning. This blend of institutional knowledge and self-guided exploration would inform his one-of-a-kind creative process.
His design and leadership work have also been honoured by his fellow musicians. He's been the president of AIGA Knoxville, was inducted into the AIGA Hall of Fame and is a member of the Greater Knoxville Business Journal's "40 Under 40."
A Culture of Curiosity and Collaboration
Culture is a strength for Designsensory. Curiosity, experimentation and collaboration are at the heart of the agency. Their faith is in the power of the collective that great ideas don't emerge from single, isolated geniuses but from teams working together, benefiting from various perspectives, and asking risky questions.
Behind the agency's four walls, the vibe straddles professional and creative. It is where designers, developers, strategists and storytellers work together daily. We're all encouraged to question assumptions, push the envelope regarding creativity, and try to bring something new to the conversation.
And this joint enterprise also includes clients. Designsensory understands that clients are not just customers but partners. "All of my work is a collaborative dance, making sure that the strategy and visuals and campaigns are true to the brand and ring true to audiences."
Growth and Recognition
Now, after more than 20 years, Designsensory has developed from a mom-and-pop shop into one of the fastest-growing businesses in Tennessee. It has appeared on the Inc. 5000 and grows its client list while taking a boutique, hands-on approach.
The agency's work has garnered over 300 creative, strategy and digital awards. The accolade isn't for the flashiest campaign, but for impactful work that helped the client and their audience meaningfully.
At the same time, the agency has developed a robust research arm called Designsensory Intelligence, which provides data-driven insights to drive creative and strategic decision-making. This blending of research with creativity means their ideas are creative ones which work.
Why Designsensory Stands Out
What makes Designsensory stand out in the cluttered agency landscape we live in today?
Combined Skill – They effortlessly merge branding, design, digital, strategy, and storytelling.
Purpose-Driven Design – They don't just make trendy designs; they create designs that matter.
Innovative Leadership -Joseph Nother has a vision for his agency, an equal balance of vision and execution.
Locally Grown, Internationally Known / Proud to call Knoxville home, but doing work that competes across the country and the world.
Looking Ahead
With technology reshaping how people engage with brands, Designsensory is poised for the future. Their combination of research, creativity and digital innovation enables them to adapt rapidly, while holding on to what matters: human connection.
Joseph Nother and the team will continue to write work that motivates with a purpose to inspire, engage and have impact. It's a tale of entrepreneurship, teamwork, and a love of design. With more than two decades under their belts, they're well-positioned to continue to define the future of branding and marketing.
Wrapping up
Designsensory is an ad agency that is so much more. It is a force of creativity and talent, and our people make us who we are – the kind of agency for the work that all businesses need. Under the leadership of Co-CEO and Chief Creative Officer Joseph Nother, the company has also become an established presence in the marketplace whilst remaining true to its co-operative, human-centric beginnings.
Designsensory demonstrates what is possible when cleverness and strategy combine to deliver inspired work—including award-winning projects, an inquisitive culture and daring leaders. IIt is a company that provides solutions for today and creates possibilities for tomorrow
