Nimbus create accounting software that is a little different. They help people across New Zealand manage their businesses with clarity. This means businesses leaders aren’t buried under mountains of data, instead they have it all at fingertips, giving them the freedom to focus on what matters.

Nimbus team felt their current brand was outdated and didn’t accurately reflect the culture of the business or the wide breadth of services available under their software umbrella. So they came to us for a brand refresh.

We embarked on a collaborative journey with the Nimbus team, diving deep into what made them tick. We came to the understanding that Nimbus weren’t just offering simple software solutions — they were giving business leaders the freedom to focus on what matters. It’s the satisfying feeling you get when all your ducks are in a row, and your business is running like a well-oiled machine. The creative process began with a challenge – how do we visually communicate the feeling of freedom?

Downing then helped Nimbus roll out their new brand across their external and internal touch points. From simple stationery items such as notebooks and presentation folders, to essential business documents such as email footers, business cards and invoicing templates. We developed a series of digital assets for email campaigns, social media and even Zoom background images.

“We have seen an immediate increase in lead generation from the right type of prospective client. And our existing clients use the website as a resource, and it helps them to understand the breadth of the offering and the opportunities that our product offers them.”

Gail Murdoch — General Manager

Rebrand case-study: A new name, logo, website, and identity for one of New Zealand’s leading commercial interior companies

When this innovative client approached Downing, they had a long name, very little brand identity, and no online presence. What they did have was loyal clients, respect within their industry and over 30 years of experience. Their business had thrived on word of mouth referrals for many years, and it was time their branding represented them just as enthusiastically as their clients did. They turned to Downing to develop a memorable name, a compelling visual identity and an engaging website.

Website Redesign

If you enjoyed this project, then check out our brand identity work for Living Design. To find out how we can create an identity for your business contact us, we’d love to hear from you.

Every kitchen designed and built by Living Design features long continuous lines that create a grid-like structure. We drew inspiration from lines and included them in the form and function of the website.

New illustrated identity for the Fat Tui burger bar in Nelson City

The Fat Tui — creators of amazing burgers, decadent doughnuts, and ice-cream sammies — launch a new identity and website design by Downing.

This year we set out to hand-make dozens of candles with a unique fragrance — the fragrance of creativity. Is it soothing lavender in a bath, or zesty lemon cheesecake? Or is it midnight coffee before a big deadline?

We spent weeks scouring the planet for the right ingredients. Some smells were so soft they were almost undetectable; some so strong they singed our nostril hairs. We finally settled on a secret combination of aromas designed to inspire, invigorate and stimulate your grey matter.

Why create a creative scent?

Much of the work that we produce at Downing is visual. It is something that can be seen on a sign, or scrolled through on a screen. But the visual side of the work we produce is only the tip of the iceberg. There is often a lot of thinking, coding, planning, management, and energy that is invested into each job that makes the work we do special. So we thought it would be good to explore the ‘non-visual’ side of creativity.

For centuries humans have been using aromas to influence how we think and feel. The molecules of certain smells affect the limbic system in our brains which can influence a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline and hormones.

Ingredients:

Soy Wax: 240g / 300ml volume
Fragrance: 24ml

Materials:

Wick
Wick holder
Glue Gun
Jar and lid
Medium sized
Large mixing bowl
Pouring jug
Stirrer
Thermometer

We created a custom typography for the new logo, influenced by organic shapes drawn from the imagery of salmon swimming and water ripples. The icon reflects similar shapes that inspire visions of King salmon gliding through water.

We worked with local photographers to create an extensive library of images that were vibrant, genuine and told a story. A focus on hands conveys the passion and care central to the brand, and images from different stages of the salmon life cycle represent the brand’s identity and purpose.

New Zealand King Salmon’s fresh look was launched in the 2017 annual report. This 100-page publication was a beautiful book presented in a sleeve. It told the story of New Zealand King Salmon’s successful year of Enabling Growth from ‘egg to plate’, utilising stunning imagery and printing techniques that accentuated this concept. The report received a Highly Commended award at the New Zealand Pride in Print Awards.

We also utilized a range of printing embellishments to create business cards which encompassed the brand’s new identity. The high attention to detail won a Gold award at the 2018 New Zealand Pride in Print Awards.

The Journey to Sustainability