“To us, design is never just about aesthetics—it’s a vehicle for social impact and shared understanding.
In 2000, while the world panicked about Y2K bugs and Ricky Martin was living “la vida loca,” a small but mighty design studio quietly opened its doors in Nelson Mandela Bay. Back then, “brand strategy” wasn’t a boardroom buzzword and “going digital” meant waiting for dial-up internet to connect — with a signature screech.
Fast forward to 2025: Design@Bay is 25 years bold
A quarter-century of creative grit, strategic design, visual storytelling, and communication solutions that don’t just cut through the noise — they connect, inspire, and move.
But this milestone isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about vision. It’s about design with depth, communication with purpose, and creativity with a conscience.
What Have We Been Up To for 25 Years?
- Crafting national and global campaigns that don’t just look good — they work.
- Designing with impact, inclusivity, and accessibility at the core.
- Developing communication strategies that turn complexity into clarity
- Helping government departments, agencies, NGOs, and brands speak human — fluently.
2025: A Year of Memory and Momentum
This milestone couldn’t have come at a better time. April marks Freedom Month in South Africa — a reminder of our collective progress since 1994.
Design@Bay’s story parallels that of a nation: one of identity, transformation, and hope. With design thinking at the core, we’ve helped launch community initiatives, amplify advocacy, and shape ideas into meaningful action.
To us, design is never just about aesthetics—it’s a vehicle for social impact and shared understanding.
What’s Next?
The future is now. With AI evolving rapidly and sustainability no longer optional, we’re diving headfirst into technologies and narratives that honour people and the planet.
We’ve never wavered from what we’ve always believed: powerful design doesn’t just change the game — it changes the world.
So here’s to the next 25:
Colouring outside the lines, thinking beyond the brief, and designing for what truly matters. But we’ll never lose our roots: strategic, high-quality, socially conscious design — proudly brewed in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Here’s to the next quarter-century of colouring outside the lines. Want in? Let’s collaborate. https://designatbay.com/contact/