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Elegance Engineered

DC Builders is a nationwide contracting team that specializes in the design and construction of one-of-a-kind timber frame buildings. Eris worked with DC Builders to craft an online presence that showcases its dedication to superior customer service and craftsmanship.

DC Builders wanted a brand presence that accurately reflects its high-end product and service offerings. Photography and videography played a large role in this rebranding effort, as the primary objective was to communicate to potential customers what a custom design and build project could look like. Additionally, Eris provided brand messaging and copywriting services for the website, social media, and all additional sales collateral.

Making the decision to build a structure that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars can be stressful, so being available to answer questions about the process beforehand can serve to build trust and enhance productivity. Our approach for the website copy was to make it as simple and informative as possible while also maintaining a friendly and knowledgeable tone. We carry this same approach into social and sales messaging.

Custom Building Custom Brand

Old vs. New

The new DC Builders brand needed to be high-end, approachable, and uncomplicated.

There’s a lot to be said for original designs, as they are the first depiction of something great. Eris took the essence of the old website and transformed it into a modern version of itself. The old site incorporated a lot of browns and oranges to mimic the colors of the natural wood in their projects. We took those same hues and repurposed them as accents throughout the new site.

The logo was re-designed using the original mark as a starting point to maintain a level of familiarity.  With added texture and cleaner lines, the revised logo maintains the essence of the original with an added high-end feel.

Website Redesign

The bread and butter of the DC Builders site can be found in the gallery and services pages. Eris was adamant about using the gallery to showcase all the stunning photography DC Builders has to show from its wealth of completed projects. Further, it was important for the site’s imagery to be presented in a way that was user friendly and visually appealing. The services page offers an attractive and easy-to-follow guideline for the process of designing and building a custom structure.

Collateral Design

One of the most important functions of marketing is to set the company’s sales team up for success. Eris created a number of DC Builders design collateral to help reinforce the brand and help it gain visibility. Sales documents, business cards, and branded merchandise are just some of the ways in which we have elevated brand awareness for DC Builders’ products and services.

Video + Photography

The proof is in the pictures.

It is no surprise that the photo and video portion of the DC Builders brand is the star of the show. These buildings really speak for themselves. Eris’ job was to make sure the structures were captured and displayed in a way that most accurately represents their high-quality features.

An Oregon native, Dustin is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of businesses to run. His two largest roles are as president of both DC Builders, an elite design and construction firm, and DC Structures, a construction materials company. With more than a decade of leadership and management experience, Dustin lends his expertise to Eris Creative as the head of business development. Dustin lives in Portland with his wife Ilanah, son Maxton, daughter Violet, and dogs Piper and Marley.
Dustin Gruetter
Owner
Dustin Gruetter
An Oregon native, Dustin is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of businesses to run. His two largest roles are as president of both DC Builders, an elite design and construction firm, and DC Structures, a construction materials company. With more than a decade of leadership and management experience, Dustin lends his expertise to Eris Creative as the head of business development. Dustin lives in Portland with his wife Ilanah, son Maxton, daughter Violet, and dogs Piper and Marley.
Owner
Rick began his professional career in Hollywood reading screenplays for executives like Leonardo DiCaprio and Sid Ganis. With a joint degree in business and cinematic arts from the University of Southern California, Rick moved back to his native Oregon to co-found international, multilingual internet yellow pages startup Cybo.com.

In 2013, Rick joined nationwide design and construction firm DC Builders to revolutionize its digital marketing strategy. Inspired by their success, Rick and DC President Dustin Gruetter decided to beef up their marketing team and turn it into Eris Creative, a boutique digital marketing agency. Rick lives in the St. Johns neighborhood and enjoys hiking, fishing, and adding to his ever-growing record collection.
Rick Vranish
Marketing Director
Rick Vranish
Rick began his professional career in Hollywood reading screenplays for executives like Leonardo DiCaprio and Sid Ganis. With a joint degree in business and cinematic arts from the University of Southern California, Rick moved back to his native Oregon to co-found international, multilingual internet yellow pages startup Cybo.com.

In 2013, Rick joined nationwide design and construction firm DC Builders to revolutionize its digital marketing strategy. Inspired by their success, Rick and DC President Dustin Gruetter decided to beef up their marketing team and turn it into Eris Creative, a boutique digital marketing agency. Rick lives in the St. Johns neighborhood and enjoys hiking, fishing, and adding to his ever-growing record collection.
Marketing Director
Pat is the creative force behind Eris. A graduate of the University of Oregon art school, Pat diversified his client portfolio by working in both the Pacific Northwest and Southern California markets. Pat’s expertise spans a range of mediums.

Whether it’s focusing his attention on user interface and web design, or building brands through strong logo design and print collateral, Pat is always happy to do what he loves most: design. Pat takes great pride in his work and the relationships he builds with his clients. If Pat isn’t at his desk designing, he’s most likely out in Portland enjoying live music or a good beer with friends.
Patrick McElderry
Creative Director
Patrick McElderry
Pat is the creative force behind Eris. A graduate of the University of Oregon art school, Pat diversified his client portfolio by working in both the Pacific Northwest and Southern California markets. Pat’s expertise spans a range of mediums.

Whether it’s focusing his attention on user interface and web design, or building brands through strong logo design and print collateral, Pat is always happy to do what he loves most: design. Pat takes great pride in his work and the relationships he builds with his clients. If Pat isn’t at his desk designing, he’s most likely out in Portland enjoying live music or a good beer with friends.
Creative Director
Whitney is a savvy wordsmith with roots in student journalism. While pursuing communication studies at Portland State, she served as editor-in-chief of the university newspaper. Whitney led the editorial team to 19 state awards—including the first-place award for general excellence.

A self-proclaimed herder of kittens, Whitney applies her project management skills to keep things moving efficiently and ahead of deadline. She draws creative inspiration from a diverse resume of agency and freelance experience. Whitney loves international travel and aims to spend her free time outside whenever possible. If she isn’t hiking, biking, or striving for some zen on the yoga mat, you can probably find her wherever the good food is.
Whitney Beyer
Project Manager
Whitney Beyer
Whitney is a savvy wordsmith with roots in student journalism. While pursuing communication studies at Portland State, she served as editor-in-chief of the university newspaper. Whitney led the editorial team to 19 state awards—including the first-place award for general excellence.

A self-proclaimed herder of kittens, Whitney applies her project management skills to keep things moving efficiently and ahead of deadline. She draws creative inspiration from a diverse resume of agency and freelance experience. Whitney loves international travel and aims to spend her free time outside whenever possible. If she isn’t hiking, biking, or striving for some zen on the yoga mat, you can probably find her wherever the good food is.
Project Manager
Justin is an extremely talented photographer with more than 15 years of photography and video production experience. His eye for imagery was developed and refined while working on projects within the ski and snowboard industry. Justin has taken photos of a lot of cool things, but his favorite subject to shoot is always his family.

A football fan who roots for both the Oakland Raiders and the Oregon Ducks, Justin likes to spend his free time camping or foraging for wild mushrooms.
Justin Wiegand
Photo/Video
Justin Wiegand
Justin is an extremely talented photographer with more than 15 years of photography and video production experience. His eye for imagery was developed and refined while working on projects within the ski and snowboard industry. Justin has taken photos of a lot of cool things, but his favorite subject to shoot is always his family.

A football fan who roots for both the Oakland Raiders and the Oregon Ducks, Justin likes to spend his free time camping or foraging for wild mushrooms.
Photo/Video
Born and raised in Portland, Rikki is the Eris go-to for client satisfaction. Rikki graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism and public relations, and is particularly enthusiastic about social media strategy and execution. Rikki began her career in social media management at a Portland tech startup in 2015. Since joining the Eris team, she’s come to inhabit client management and business development roles.

Outside of work, Rikki enjoys going to concerts, rooting for the Oregon Ducks football team, and trying new restaurants. She is familiar with every sushi restaurant within a two-mile radius of both the Eris office and her house.
Rikki Ford
Account Coordinator
Rikki Ford
Born and raised in Portland, Rikki is the Eris go-to for client satisfaction. Rikki graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism and public relations, and is particularly enthusiastic about social media strategy and execution. Rikki began her career in social media management at a Portland tech startup in 2015. Since joining the Eris team, she’s come to inhabit client management and business development roles.

Outside of work, Rikki enjoys going to concerts, rooting for the Oregon Ducks football team, and trying new restaurants. She is familiar with every sushi restaurant within a two-mile radius of both the Eris office and her house.
Account Coordinator
Spencer is a diversely talented content producer whose expertise spans a variety of mediums. Born and raised in Portland, Spencer draws inspiration from the unique people and places of the rose city to tell compelling stories for clients. Since Graduating from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication in 2014, Spencer has continued to leverage curiosity and creative interests to follow his dream of producing influential projects for interesting people.
Spencer Knowles
Marketing Coordinator
Spencer Knowles
Spencer is a diversely talented content producer whose expertise spans a variety of mediums. Born and raised in Portland, Spencer draws inspiration from the unique people and places of the rose city to tell compelling stories for clients. Since Graduating from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication in 2014, Spencer has continued to leverage curiosity and creative interests to follow his dream of producing influential projects for interesting people.
Marketing Coordinator
Anna’s interest in the creative field began by understanding the need for good design and seeking out how to be a part of the solution. After receiving her undergraduate degree in marketing and graphic design from the University of North Georgia, she moved to Oregon to fine-tune her skills.

With professional experience spanning both marketing and design, Anna has employed her skills to build a restaurant brand, strengthen the digital user experience for market research apps, and create collateral for startup businesses. On the weekends, Anna is looking for the best cup of coffee, a new hike to discover, and creative ways to help people build their personal brands.
Anna Harkness
Designer
Anna Harkness
Anna’s interest in the creative field began by understanding the need for good design and seeking out how to be a part of the solution. After receiving her undergraduate degree in marketing and graphic design from the University of North Georgia, she moved to Oregon to fine-tune her skills.

With professional experience spanning both marketing and design, Anna has employed her skills to build a restaurant brand, strengthen the digital user experience for market research apps, and create collateral for startup businesses. On the weekends, Anna is looking for the best cup of coffee, a new hike to discover, and creative ways to help people build their personal brands.
Designer
Jill is a versatile designer who graduated from the Art Institute of Portland with a degree in web and graphic design and a minor in photography. Inspired by the Bauhaus design movement and macro photography, Jill’s skills are evident in her diverse portfolio of freelance projects. Her favorite project was a book for the San Francisco Giants that benefitted the ALS Foundation.

A Bay Area native, Jill has lived in Oregon since 2010. Her favorite activities are all outdoors, and include rock climbing, camping, and kayaking. She appreciates all shapes and sizes of French fries and wishes to travel as often as she possibly can.
Jill Sockolov
Junior Graphic Designer
Jill Sockolov
Jill is a versatile designer who graduated from the Art Institute of Portland with a degree in web and graphic design and a minor in photography. Inspired by the Bauhaus design movement and macro photography, Jill’s skills are evident in her diverse portfolio of freelance projects. Her favorite project was a book for the San Francisco Giants that benefitted the ALS Foundation.

A Bay Area native, Jill has lived in Oregon since 2010. Her favorite activities are all outdoors, and include rock climbing, camping, and kayaking. She appreciates all shapes and sizes of French fries and wishes to travel as often as she possibly can.
Junior Graphic Designer