ETHIC
Founded in 2002 by Wayne Whitesides as a way to be a freelance stay-at-home dad, Ethic quickly grew out of its diapers. In 2003 Wayne recruited David Leedle, a friend and colleague for a number of years, to come on as partner and help Ethic take its first real steps. Both partners prefer the model of a small, creative and nimble shop as opposed to a large and inefficient mega-agency and Ethic’s growth has reflected that attitude. With the assistance of two full-time senior designers, one intern position and the ability to bring in additional talent on a per-project basis, Ethic remains a place where there is no “B” team. Each client and each project benefits from the full attention and hands-on involvement that only a small shop can deliver.

Wayne Whitesides
Founder, Partner, Creative Director

Wayne was born and raised in a small, Iowa town along the Mississippi where you grew up to be a farmer or factory worker who makes farm equipment. While becoming neither, Wayne embraces his blue collar heritage and the hard work ethic that was ingrained early on, and that still drives him today. After exploring his mind, school and the Rockies, Wayne finally settled down in Atlanta in 1994 employed as a store manager for a local sign company. In 1997 Wayne first met David while working for the same agency. Though David faithfully stuck it out for over 6 years, Wayne quickly jumped ship and bounced around several larger agencies trying to find his way in the vast world of design—At the same time polishing his skills in advertising, package design, environmental design, corporate identity and website development. Eventually Wayne worked for a medium sized agency that would be a sort of model for the creation of Ethic. Four years later, married and with a child six months away from illuminating his life, Wayne made a giant leap of faith (more by his wife) and left to start Ethic. With his marriage still happily intact, the fairy tale continues.

Education: While previously attending several Midwestern colleges, Wayne has only an Associates Degree in Communications from the Colorado Institute of Art, but is rigorously working on his Masters in Life.

Past Client Highlights: Bank of America, Famous Amos Cookie Company, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Kimberly-Clark, Siemens

David Leedle
Partner, Creative Director

New to Atlanta in 1993, David honed his skills for six years at an agency specializing in retail design for the likes of Bloomingdales, Cutter & Buck and a number of private label B2B brands. From there, he moved on to become an associate creative director at Adrenaline, Inc., bringing his retail expertise to bear on print, interactive and 3-dimensional projects for The Home Depot, Georgia-Pacific and Federated Department stores, among others. Four years later, he left Adrenaline to become partner at Ethic, Inc..

Education: David received a BFA in Communication Arts & Design from Virginia Commonwealth University.

ETHIC : Design that works.   |  751 Virginia Avenue   |   Hapeville, Georgia 30354  |   404 806 0057   |   CONTACT