TORONTO—After 10 years in business, 3 Dogz Creative has announced it is closing as a result of the economic downturn.

“The last year has been challenging economically, not just for us but for everyone,” says partner Dave Gouveia. “We had already weathered one recession, so we persevered. Unfortunately, it didn’t play out the way we had hoped. We decided as a group that closing the studio was the smartest business move.”

3 Dogz Creative was a three-partner shop — Gouveia, Chris Elkerton and Roberta Judge — that specialized in print design. But the shop liked to dabble in all forms of design, says Gouveia. “We always pushed our shop as a ‘creative shop.’ Our selling feature was our creativity, in any iteration.”

Clients of 3 Dogz included IMAX, Brentwood Classics, Levi Strauss, Alliance, MMPI Canada and Thales. “I’m sure each of the partners have a memorable project but I definitely loved working for Brentwood Classics on pretty much anything from their corporate materials to party invites,” he says. “We dealt directly with the owner, so there was no wading through layers of middle men. Because of the proven business results of our first projects, it was easier to sell more creative ideas. They felt like family. We even designed the wedding invitations for the owner's daughters.”

Though the group is parting ways, Gouveia says they are working together on a project for HOW Books that should hit shelves later this year or early 2011. Elkerton has accepted a job with another firm, says Gouveia. No word yet on Judge’s future plans. As for himself, Gouveia says he is sad to see this chapter end but is excited about what will come next. “I’ll likely be hitting the pavement, portfolio in hand,” he says. “Scary…and also somewhat exhilarating.” Contact: 3dogz.com