Designworks chief executive Sven Baker says the company has carved something of a niche for itself in its 30-year history, filling a gap in the market between advertising and brand design.
The company, which designs a range of things - from product packaging to the concept of cuddle class for Air New Zealand's long- haul flights - recently won the Vero Excellence in Business Support award.
Mr Baker says they do not approach projects with a standardised formula, and no two assignments are ever alike.
The company's clients are just as wide-ranging, he says, spanning large corporates such as Telecom and AMI, through to small embryonic start ups.
One client - the heating, ventilation and air conditioning company Hot Chilly - has enjoyed growth of 300% a year since it began working with Designworks three years ago, Mr Baker says.
And he says demand from companies around the country has strengthened during the recession.
Despite the recent national accolade, however, Designworks does not have global aspirations.
Mr Baker says it has about 55 staff working in its Auckland and Wellington offices, and it will open its first South Island office, in Christchurch, next month.
