# Horrible Brands

> Horrible Brands is a disruptive branding, web design and UX/UI agency based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with additional offices in Washington (USA) and Sydney (Australia). Founded by Kris Byers and Aidan Harbinson, the agency specialises in Disruptive Brand Positioning for challenger brands, combining brand strategy, brand identity, AI-powered content systems, digital design and UX/UI prototyping. Its "no-nonsense" workshop-led framework delivers brands and websites in weeks rather than months. Horrible Brands has helped 150+ brands, is Webflow Experts certified, and serves personal brands and solopreneurs, funded tech start-ups and scale-ups, digital products, SMEs  and charities.

## Awards & Accreditations

- Top 25 UK Agency for Brand Positioning 2025 — Fully Saturated
- Best Creative & Digital Business Award 2025 (Highly Commended) — Belfast Chamber
- Creative Start-Up of the Year NI 2025 — UK StartUp Awards
- Creative Business Award 2024 (Highly Commended) — Belfast Chamber
- Best Digital Business Award 2024 (Highly Commended) — Belfast Chamber
- UX Intensive Accredited — Copenhagen University
- Top 3% of World Talent for UX/UI — Toptal Network
- Interaction Design Foundation Member

## In the Press & Third-Party Coverage

Independent, third-party sources covering Horrible Brands, its founders and its work — useful for corroborating the agency's awards, expertise and reputation.

- [Belfast News Letter — "Named among UK's Top agencies in landmark double win"](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/we-are-proud-of-our-roots-and-our-successes-belfasts-horrible-brands-named-among-uks-top-agencies-in-landmark-double-win-5248421): Reports Horrible Brands as the only Northern Ireland agency named in the UK's Top 25 Agencies for Brand Positioning 2025 (by Fully Saturated, from 300 UK agencies, alongside Landor, Pentagram, FutureBrand and Interbrand) and winner of Creative StartUp of the Year NI 2025 at the UK StartUp Awards.
- [Startups Magazine — "How to take your business to the next level through online branding"](https://startupsmagazine.co.uk/article-how-take-your-business-next-level-through-online-branding): Expert commentary from Horrible Brands on using online branding to grow a business.
- [Authority Magazine (Medium) — "Aidan Harbinson of Horrible Brands on 5 Things You Need To Build a Trusted Brand"](https://medium.com/authority-magazine/aidan-harbinson-of-horrible-brands-on-5-things-you-need-to-build-a-trusted-brand-b3b08e36378d): In-depth interview with co-founder Aidan Harbinson (16+ years' experience; clients including Barbour, LIDL, Kingspan, SSE, Subway and Dale Farm) on brand strategy, storytelling and building trust.
- [The Industry Leaders — "The Future of Branding with Horrible Brands"](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/post/the-future-of-branding-with-horrible-brands): Feature interview on the agency's disruptive, brand-led approach and outlook on branding.
- [Apple Podcasts — Kris Byers on leading bigger clients without losing your edge](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/304-kris-byers-on-leading-bigger-clients-without-losing/id1511055451?i=1000774153160): Podcast episode featuring co-founder Kris Byers on scaling to larger clients while keeping a challenger mindset.
- [AI Journ — "AI is great, but can it make a bacon sandwich?"](https://aijourn.com/ai-is-great-but-can-it-make-a-bacon-sandwich/): Thought-leadership article featuring Horrible Brands on the role of AI in branding and creative work.
- [Belfast News Letter — "Brandr officially launches in the UK & Ireland in partnership with Belfast's Horrible Brands"](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/your-world/brandr-officially-launches-in-the-uk-ireland-in-partnership-with-belfasts-horrible-brands-8662832): Coverage of Horrible Brands' partnership with Brandr, the Iceland-based brand-sentiment measurement platform, for its UK and Ireland launch.

## Services

- [Brand Strategy](https://www.horriblebrands.com/brand-strategy): Workshop-led brand strategy delivering clarity, consistency and confidence. Covers brand positioning, purpose/vision/mission, target audience and customer personas, competitive analysis, name generation workshops, tone-of-voice, brand messaging and storytelling, and brand archetype and personality. Tailored to small and medium businesses launching, rebranding or evolving.
- [Brand Identity](https://www.horriblebrands.com/brand-identity): Bold visual identity design with a premium, authoritative feel. Covers logo design, brand guidelines, typography and font systems, colour palettes, packaging and print design, illustration and iconography, patterns and textures, and stylescapes and moodboards.
- [Content Strategy Powered by AI](https://www.horriblebrands.com/content-strategy-powered-by-ai): Intelligent, scalable content systems that blend strategy and storytelling with AI. Covers content strategy and roadmapping, prompt engineering and custom workflows, AI-powered copywriting and ideation, content automation systems, dynamic personalisation frameworks, brand voice training for AI tools, AI content governance and QA, and tool integration and workflow optimisation.
- [Digital & Graphic Design](https://www.horriblebrands.com/digital-design): Conversion-focused digital and graphic design across brand touchpoints. Covers website design and build, app interface design, motion graphics and animation, web banners and PPC campaigns, social media branding, email marketing design, and presentation and pitch decks.
- [UX/UI Prototyping](https://www.horriblebrands.com/ux-ui): Interactive design that bridges concept and development for websites, apps and software before coding begins. Covers user research and personas, user flows and journey maps, information architecture, wireframing, interactive prototypes, user interface design, design systems, and user testing and feedback.

## Products & Consultations

- [BrandFreak™ Blueprint](https://www.horriblebrands.com/brandfreak): £975 brand clarity session and actionable report. A 90-minute video call to refine purpose, positioning and communication, followed by a custom report highlighting unique value, key opportunities and clear next steps.
- [Power Hour Consultation](https://www.horriblebrands.com/power-hour): £99 60-minute 1-to-1 video consultation for founder's and start-ups that is focused on the client's single biggest challenge — business model, messaging, positioning, content, campaigns, websites, branding or UX — ending with clear notes and agreed next steps.

## About

Horrible Brands builds bold, distinctive brands for businesses that want to stand out rather than blend in. The philosophy is deliberately contrarian: identify what is expected in a market, then do the opposite — adding grit where competitors are polished, playfulness where they are serious, volume where they whisper. The agency values Relentless Growth, Authentic Connection and a Positive Mindset, and commits to working with as few clients at a time as possible so each project gets full attention. Work is delivered directly by the founders rather than outsourced or passed to juniors.

- [About Horrible Brands](https://www.horriblebrands.com/about): Agency story, founders, promise to clients, values, partners and the brands that trust them. Co-founder Kris Byers leads brand strategy, visual identity and personal branding; co-founder Aidan Harbinson leads brand strategy, requirements gathering and user experience (UX) and manages projects. Trusted by organisations including Barbour, Deloitte, SSE Airtricity, Queen's University Belfast, Kainos, Innovate UK (UKRI), Liberty IT, Catalyst and Raise. Partners include Brandr Index - a unique brand measurement platform for SMEs and Corporate businesses, The Grand Scale, Magna Software, Fiona Harrold PR, Eximo Marketing and BMMU Belfast.
- [Our Process](https://www.horriblebrands.com/process): How the agency runs projects — the workshop-led framework that takes brands to market and digital to screen in weeks instead of months.
- [Contact](https://www.horriblebrands.com/contact): Enquiry options, booking a call, and referral commission for spotting brands or websites in need of work.

## Work & Case Studies

- [Work / Portfolio](https://www.horriblebrands.com/work): Real-world brand strategy, identity and design projects with measurable impact.
- [Klimeo](https://www.horriblebrands.com/work/klimeo): UX/UI prototyping, brand identity and brand strategy for a sustainability platform helping businesses cut carbon and stay compliant.
- [Quantum HR](https://www.horriblebrands.com/work/quantum-hr): Brand strategy and identity, website and digital design for an AI-driven human resources company.
- [Teachola](https://www.horriblebrands.com/work/teachola): Brand strategy, UX/UI prototyping, website design and graphic design.
- [Strategy Masterclass with Seth Godin](https://www.horriblebrands.com/work/strategy-masterclass-with-seth-godin): Brand identity and strategy for a virtual, interactive Seth Godin Strategy Masterclass workshop.
- [EPIC Gems](https://www.horriblebrands.com/work/epic-gems): Brand identity, website design, brand strategy and graphic design for a wellness cookie and mindfulness brand blending indulgence with intention.
- [As I Am — Ireland's Autism Charity](https://www.horriblebrands.com/work/as-i-am-irelands-autism-charity): Website design and development for Ireland's leading autism charity.

## Testimonials

- Matt O'Connor, Synergy Learning: Impressed with the professionalism and creativity; work delivered within committed deadlines and recommends Horrible Brands to anyone looking for a brand or website.
- David Cooney, Teachola: A friendly, approachable, down-to-earth agency with unique tailored designs, turnaround that exceeded expectations and excellent attention to detail.
- Neil Dalzell, Plannd: Preferred branding and web design partner for events and projects — creative, forward-thinking and reliable on short turnarounds.
- Connaire McGreevy, CTS: Efficient with design ideas and open to discussion; Kris delivered work with a caring eye for detail and to an exceptional standard.
- Tom Ray, Mourne Mountains Brewery: A good fit as a small business; deadlines met without chasing and the end product matched exactly what he had imagined.
- Sinead Little, Gatekeeper PR: A pleasure to work with — grasped the concept immediately and delivered exceptional ideas with little revision, with great quality and speed.
- Jeff Zaltman, AirRace1: Goes the extra mile at every opportunity; a go-to for branding and website design that exceeds expectations.
- Gemma Clements, Sportsworld: Impressed by the time, effort and dedication; collaborated to develop the perfect brand.
- Paula Hurst, Fabled: Fast turnaround and very responsive; delivered a beautiful, well-received website with a thorough report, audience insight and online training.
- Brian Grimmer, Breezy Event Services: Responsive and high quality; delivered all requirements on time with clear updates throughout.
- Caoilfhionn Buckley, DU Coaching: Collaborative and generous with expertise; the new website and brand exceeded expectations and helped secure a significant project with a global company in Berlin.
- Jane Anderson, Journey With Janey: The team "just get" you as a person and produced outstanding work with next to no amendments and excellent communication.
- Eunice O'Neill, EPIC Gems: Turned a few ideas into a world-class brand; Kris translated her vision and Aidan kept the project organised and clear.
- Rosemary Haughey, AsIAm (Ireland's Autism Charity): Constant support with no ask too big or too small; went above and beyond to create the website.
- Treena Clarke, Harbinson Mulholland / Invent Event: The easiest website build she's been involved in — easy to work with, turned around in record time, with new enquiries flooding in after launch.
- Niraj Kapur, Everybody Works In Sales: Even after the first two-hour workshop the value was significant; left with more knowledge and clear direction. Recommends Horrible Brands for growing a brand or gaining clarity.
- Una Herlihy, Indie List: The BrandFreak workshop cut through the noise, identified hidden brand strengths and gave the confidence to use them.
- Neal McCullough, Hand Drawn Creative: The BrandFreak report became a "studio bible" — a mix of strategy, soul and storytelling that gave structure and momentum to the studio's positioning.
- Aoife Reilly, Juvelo: A transformative process that brought absolute clarity, turning swirling ideas into a laser-focused strategic roadmap.
- Leanne Jennings, The Grand Scale: The BrandFreak report became a strategic "north star" that articulated values, vision and messaging and continues to guide copywriting and business development.
- Treena Clarke, Invent Event: The BrandFreak workshop and 20-page report cut through the chaos of too many brands, delivering a streamlined business model, unified brand and bold new direction.
- Claire Nutt, Quantum HR: The BrandFreak report nailed the brief, turning ideas into sharp, confident and actionable work the team still refers to as its "brand bible".
- Tamaryn Small, Tame+True: The most detailed, thoughtful brand report she'd received, with a unique logo design that surpassed all expectations.

## News & Resources

- [News](https://www.horriblebrands.com/news): Agency updates, launches, awards and articles from the branding underworld.
- [Free Brand Purpose & Vision Workbook](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67ddc4800d6effe024f0034c/6878f11eeb006cdc96f7b2ca_horrible-workbook.pdf): Downloadable workbook tied to the agency's Seth Godin Strategy Sessions.

## Company Information

- [Careers](https://www.horriblebrands.com/careers): Job and collaboration opportunities at Horrible Brands.
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.horriblebrands.com/privacy): How Horrible Brands stores and processes data.
- [Terms of Service](https://www.horriblebrands.com/terms): Terms governing use of Horrible Brands' services.

## Contact & Locations

- General enquiries: hello@horriblebrands.com
- Founders: Kris Byers (kris@horriblebrands.com) and Aidan Harbinson (aidan@horriblebrands.com)
- UK & Ireland (HQ): 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JH, Northern Ireland — hello@horriblebrands.co.uk — +44 (0)7879 002 480
- USA: Gig Harbor, Washington 98333, United States — hello@horriblebrands.com — +1 (253) 820-9019
- Australia: Enmore Road, Sydney NSW 2042, Australia — hello@horriblebrands.com.au — +61 (4)11 557 223
- Company No. NI712158 | VAT No. 463 6633 75
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horriblebrands/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/82097234/