Ways to work.

A Creative Growth Studio works across the full picture of what makes a brand, business or creative person grow — not just the design, and not just the strategy. We combine both, because one without the other usually misses.

At Studio Dawn, that means brand strategy, creative direction, campaigns, community building, ventures and mentoring — shaped by the specific opportunity in front of you. We define the potential, then help build toward it.

Studio Dawn is a creative growth studio based in Auckland, New Zealand. We work with businesses, founders and creatives on brand strategy, creative direction, visual identity, campaigns and mentoring — locally and remotely across New Zealand, Australia and beyond.

Two kinds of people come to us. Businesses and founders ready for their next chapter — a new brand, a repositioning, a product launch, or a creative evolution. And creatives — freelancers, studio founders, independent creative directors — who need coaching, mentoring or a senior creative perspective on their work or business.

We're based in Auckland, New Zealand and work with clients across NZ, Australia and remotely worldwide. We love a call and a coffee catchup — but distance has never stopped good work.

Yes — and increasingly so. New Zealand's creative industry punches well above its weight internationally. Our perspective is culturally distinct, globally informed and genuinely independent — shaped by a unique position at the intersection of Pacific, Asian and Western influences.

For international clients there's a practical upside too: you get the thinking and output of an experienced senior creative team at a rate that reflects the NZ market, not London or New York. More for your international dollar — with the quality to match.

Studio Dawn is led by Kimberley Torrie — Creative Director, strategist and community builder with more than fourteen years of experience across branding, advertising, design, strategy and community building. Previously at FCB Auckland, Saatchi & Saatchi London, and across brands including Air New Zealand, Whittaker's, Sharesies, Vodafone and ANZ.

Her work is guided by a simple belief: people, brands and businesses are often capable of more than they can currently see. Sometimes they simply need the right perspective to reveal it — and then killer branding, design and narrative to take their vision to the world.

The Studio is our project-based work for businesses, founders and new ventures. It's where we build brand strategy, visual identities, campaigns and creative worlds — scoped to what the brief actually needs, not a standard package.

Brand identities, repositioning, new venture strategy, campaign strategy and creative, visual identity systems, product launches and brand builds. We scope each project individually — because no two briefs are really the same.

Brand strategy defines the foundation your business builds everything else on — your positioning, audience, messaging, values and competitive space. It answers: who are you, who are you for, what do you stand for, and why should anyone choose you? Without it, even beautiful creative work can miss the mark.

Creative direction brings your brand strategy to life visually and experientially — the look, feel, tone and creative execution across every touchpoint. A creative director guides the vision, makes the decisions and holds the work to a standard. At Studio Dawn we work across both — because the two only work when they're aligned.

Brand strategy is the thinking. Creative direction is the making. Strategy defines where you're going and why. Creative direction decides how it looks, sounds and feels when you get there. Most studios do one or the other. We do both — because a brand that looks great but says the wrong thing is just an expensive mistake.

A fractional creative director is a senior creative leader who works with your business part-time — typically 1–2 days per week — rather than as a full-time hire. They provide strategic creative guidance, lead the work, support internal teams and represent your brand in the room. You get the thinking and leadership of an experienced CD without the cost or commitment of a permanent hire.

Businesses at a growth point — where the creative decisions matter more than ever and you need someone who can think across brand, culture, campaigns and team. You might have an internal creative team that needs direction, or no creative lead at all. Either way, you need someone in the room who gets it — before you're ready for a full-time hire.

Monthly retainer, usually equivalent to 1–2 days per week. We embed in your business, get to know your team and your challenges, and show up as a consistent creative partner — not a one-off consultant who disappears after the brief.

It varies depending on scope and time commitment. We work on a monthly retainer and scope each engagement individually. We also offer flexible value exchange for the right fit. Get in touch and we'll figure out what makes sense.

Yes — a significant part of what we do is for creatives themselves. Freelancers, studio founders, independent creative directors, people stepping into leadership. We offer creative direction for your business or your client work, and mentoring and coaching for the bigger questions about where you're going.

A space to think more clearly, make better decisions and move forward with greater confidence. We work on whatever's most useful — positioning, pitching, the business model, mindset, the next move. Whether you're building a business, stepping into leadership, navigating change or just needing a senior perspective to sense-check the work.

Yes. Some of our most meaningful work is with individual creatives. We've been where you are — working in isolation or in a small team, needing insight and brain power to sense-check, confidence-boost or actually help move things forward. We offer hourly, half-day and project-based engagements.

It depends on the project. We scope each engagement individually so you know exactly what you're getting and what you're paying for — no vague quotes, no surprises. We offer flexible value exchange models including project fees, monthly retainers, revenue share, royalties and equity for early-stage businesses. The best starting point is a conversation.

You don't have to figure that out before you get in touch. That's what the first conversation is for. Tell us where you're at — the business, the challenge, the feeling that something needs to shift — and we'll figure out the right way to work together.

Message us on WhatsApp at +64 21 209 0435 or send us a message at hello@studiodawn.org. We read every message and reply within 1–2 business days.