Independent since 2001.
Still curious.
Salt Design was founded in Auckland in 2001 by Michael Chalberg and Stephen Hurdley around a simple idea: bring creative thinking, technology and clear visual communication together to solve real business problems.
Since then we’ve designed our way through enormous changes in technology, media and the way organisations communicate — delivering hundreds of projects for New Zealand and international brands, government organisations, agencies, not-for-profits and independent businesses.
Our capabilities have grown considerably. Our approach hasn’t. Understand what needs solving. Think clearly. Make it well. Deliver what we promised.
We work across brand, graphic design and digital — sometimes leading an entire project, sometimes collaborating with an internal team or agency, and often becoming the experienced external partner clients keep coming back to.
No unnecessary fuss. Just good thinking, thoughtful design and work that does its job.
The tools keep changing.
Technology has always been part of Salt, so adopting new tools is nothing new. Today that includes AI where it can genuinely improve research, exploration, production, efficiency or digital functionality.
We’re interested in what new technology makes possible, but not in using it simply because it’s new.
The question stays the same: does it help us solve the problem better?