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Leaning Forward: The Tetreault Design Story
Tetreault Design began in the early 1980s as a small Nashville consultancy focused on brand design, wayfinding, and project roll-out management.
From the start, we explored how emerging computer-aided design (CAD) technologies could merge with the creative process — bringing efficiency, precision, and scalability to a traditionally handcrafted discipline.
This forward-thinking approach helped a three-person studio win major projects and national design awards, setting the tone for what became our guiding philosophy: always leaning forward.
The Nashville Years
In Nashville, we pioneered methods that merged design creativity with data and computation. By automating repetitive design and cost-analysis tasks, we created time for deeper thinking — exploring “what if” design simulations long before that became an industry standard.
Our collaboration with Intergraph and Bentley Systems in 1994 made Tetreault Design the first brand and wayfinding consultancy to beta test and fully implement their CAD platform — using it not only for documentation, but as a tool for idea generation and value engineering.
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Representative Projects:​
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​​​The Nashville Convention Center
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​​​The Nashville International Airport (Phases I and II)
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​​​The Tennessee Capitol Bicentennial Mall​​​
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​​​Tennessee State University
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King's Daughters Medical Center
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​​​TVA
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Palmer Plaza
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The Belle Meade Mansion Historical Site
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​​​Vanderbilt University
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​​​Belmont University
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​​​Middle Tennessee State University
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​​​Baptist Hospital
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​​​St Thomas Hospital
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​​​HMA Hospitals Throughout The South
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Washington DC
In 1997, Tetreault Design merged with The Douglas Group, a Dallas-based firm with offices in Chicago, Nashville, and Washington, DC.
Appointed Vice President of the DC Office, Paul Tetreault led the group through a revitalization — rebuilding its creative direction, profitability, and project reputation. Located on K Street near McPherson Square, the team delivered major wayfinding and brand programs for civic, cultural, and institutional clients.
Representative Projects:​
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Bowdoin College
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The Manassas Regional Medical Center
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Prince William Hospital
When post-9/11 shifts redirected federal priorities, and The Douglas Group’s founder retired, the DC studio closed — but the experience broadened our reach and shaped the studio’s next evolution.
Florida and Forward
In 2003, Tetreault Design relocated to Palm Coast, Florida, embracing a more measured pace while maintaining its analytical, forward-thinking design ethos.
Our focus remains the same: exploring how brand, design, and cost can align to produce enduring, high-performance results.
Selected Work Since 2003:​
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Fisherman's Hospital
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Moraya Bay
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WO Smith School of Music
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Northeast Georgia Medical Center
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Biotherapies
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Atrium Biotechnologies
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Biolix
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POLE Investment International
Looking Both Ways While Leaning Forward
What began as CAD experimentation in the 1980s can now be done on a phone. But technology alone doesn’t define progress.
True creativity still begins with a pencil and a conversation — the space where intent, brand, and design clarity intersect. We now use computers only once ideas are ready to evolve into development and documentation.
Because while technology accelerates design, meaning still comes from people.
A Circular History
From a RISD sketching studio to beta-testing CAD systems — from Nashville to Washington to Florida — Tetreault Design’s story has come full circle.
Today, we remain an agile studio with the reach, experience, and curiosity to take on distinctive brand and wayfinding challenges.
If your project calls for clarity, innovation, and forward motion —
let’s lean forward together.
— Paul Tetreault, IDSA
40 Years Of Leaning Forward ...(I know, that's a big number)
Over four decades later, we continue to apply the same forward-thinking spirit that defined our beginnings. Tetreault Design remains committed to delivering creative, responsible brand and wayfinding solutions for complex, evolving environments.
Our work emphasizes solutions that allow for change, growth, and adaptation—qualities essential in today’s constantly shifting business and cultural landscape.
We design for longevity
Every task begins with clear objectives and measurable outcomes, ensuring that design decisions support long-term value and sustainable ROI.
“It’s simply too costly to invest—and then re-invest—in short-term design and identity efforts.​ Today’s brand and wayfinding systems must account for longevity, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.”
Our guiding philosophy
Creative. Responsible. Cost-effective.
We design systems that work today and adapt tomorrow.
Collaboration and clarity drive every phase of our process.
We believe the best design solutions are both beautiful and maintainable.
Built to last
Short-term design and identity programs are costly to maintain and even more costly to replace.
Successful brand and wayfinding systems must be:
Durable – able to withstand time and use
Flexible – ready for growth and change
Efficient – considerate of cost, materials, and operations
“God is in the details.” — Mies van der Rohe
That belief continues to guide how we think, design, and deliver.
If you think we can help, let’s lean forward together.
We look forward to the conversation.
