TOUZIE TYKE
Ayrshire’s Independent Animation Studio
When Pete Cotter and Ewan Watson met on a postgraduate Advanced 2D/3D Motion Graphics and Animation course at The Glasgow School of Art, neither could have predicted the journey ahead. Both came from photography backgrounds and began their careers freelancing before launching their own animation studio, Touzie Tyke, in 2010.
“It’s an Ayrshire name,” explains Creative Director Pete when asked about the studio’s unusual title. “We wanted something Scottish, but not too twee. Robert Burns referred to the devil as resembling a Touzie Tyke (a shaggy dog), in Tam o’ Shanter.”
Neither Pete nor Art Director Ewan resembles a devilish shaggy dog, but both agree the name has become a memorable talking point – something that has undoubtedly helped the business stand out.
Touzie Tyke began life at Film City Glasgow, with major broadcasters such as BBC Scotland and STV nearby. Early opportunities with STV opened the door to larger clients, and the fledgling company quickly gained momentum. Now based in Ayrshire, Pete and Ewan continue to produce work for clients across the UK from their garden studios in Prestwick and Ayr.
“I think the diversity of the work we do is a big strength,” says Ewan. “We can take on smaller projects, but we can also scale up for much larger productions. Because we’re agile, we can work across a wide range of budgets and styles. A lot of the content we create can also be repurposed into shorter clips and social content, which gives clients much more value from a single project.”
That flexibility has helped Touzie Tyke build long-term relationships with clients, something both Pete and Ewan see as central to the studio’s success.
“Over time, many of our clients begin to see us as an extension of their own business rather than an external supplier,” says Pete. “Because we work so closely with their teams and understand their brand, values and way of communicating, they’ll often come directly to us when they need a fast turnaround on an animation, video or even a single visual asset.”
Those ongoing partnerships are something the pair value highly. In many cases, Touzie Tyke effectively becomes an outsourced creative department, helping projects move quickly and collaboratively.
“What’s always been great about being small and agile is the relationships we build,” Ewan adds. “A huge part of our business comes from repeat clients. They trust us to deliver on time, within budget and to a high standard. That trust allows for open discussions and a much more collaborative process.”
Touzie Tyke also prides itself on making animation accessible for businesses that may never have commissioned it before.
“New clients can sometimes find the process a bit daunting,” Ewan explains, “but we guide them through every stage. It’s always rewarding when someone who started out unsure ends up with a finished piece they’re genuinely excited about, often exceeding their expectations.”
Alongside high-profile clients including BBC, Channel 4 and STV, Touzie Tyke has also worked with local companies such as Peacock Salt, proving that animation can work for businesses of all sizes.
“Not every project needs to be a huge 3D production,” says Ewan. “Even with a smaller budget, you can still create something engaging and visually striking using 2D animation. Sometimes those limitations actually lead to more creative ideas.”
As with many creative industries, artificial intelligence is beginning to influence the world of animation and design. While Pete acknowledges the opportunities AI presents, he believes the human element remains irreplaceable.
“AI likes to fill in the blanks,” he says, “but a lot of our work is highly technical or requires a very specific creative approach. Clients still want accuracy, collaboration and iteration, and that human understanding is incredibly important.”
For Pete and Ewan, creativity ultimately comes back to storytelling, collaboration and trust.
“If a realistic 3D style suits a project, that’s great,” says Pete. “But sometimes a client wants something more playful, organic or illustrative. That’s where the creative process becomes exciting — building storyboards together, shaping the humour and finding the right visual approach.”
It’s this blend of creativity, flexibility and close client relationships that has allowed Touzie Tyke to thrive, proving that a small independent studio in Ayrshire can produce world-class animation for broadcasters, exhibitions and brands across the UK. And while the studio’s name may have its roots in the devilish imagery of Robert Burns, Pete and Ewan know that sometimes the devil really is in the detail.
To find out more about Touzie Tyke
or discuss an animation project,
visit touzietyke.com or email
info@touzietyke.com.
