Picture Drum started with no capital, no office and no clients. Just a vision of a design consultancy offering clients the highest standard of service and design.

The company began life as Picture Drum Publishing (Pdp) in 1992, after being founded by the two partners Ashley McGovern and Paul Cowen, and soon gained a reputation for innovative ideas for print.

Ashley McGovern and Paul Cowen were still in their early 20s and didn't know anything about running a business when they set up. But they embarked upon aquest to build a successful business based upon the vision of a design consultancy that would offer its clients only the highest standard of service and design.

Then they discovered what is the real secret of success: good design sells.

Now, with a comprehensive client list, and employing five people at The Coach House in Tadcaster Road, York, they are hoping that this secret will win them the Small and Growth Business Of The Year titles in the 2004 Evening Press Business Awards.

Ashley says: "When you have a service ethic that is backed up by our values, experience and expertise, business comes much easier.

"We must be doing something right as we're still working with clients with whom we worked with ten years ago. It is because we care about what we do."

In March last year, they modified the business name to just Picture Drum, reflecting the fact that they were no longer just designers. They had become strategic design consultants, considering the whole communications strategy of their client's business.

After conducting research-based analysis of the company's market position, they develop a brand and image to reflect the company's aspirations and direction.

Picture Drum's services also include designs for brochures, literature, interactive CD-roms, new media, corporate identities, websites, exhibitions and advertising.

Updated: 12:32 Thursday, September 16, 2004