Star Baths

Brand Identity
Brand Strategy
UI/UX
A grounded identity and Webflow site for a maker brand selling something made to order, in a category full of wellness clichés to sidestep.
Client
Star Baths
https://www.starbaths.co.nz/
Date
2025 - 2026
Role and Outputs
Brand strategy, brand identity, Webflow site, art direction, social assets

THE BRIEF

Star Baths makes handcrafted outdoor baths in Raglan. Fresh water, NZ wool insulation, no chemicals, no complicated systems. A product that sits clearly apart from spa pools and hot tubs, made by people who care about the craft. The brand around it needed to match that.

The work needed to speak to two quite different audiences: homeowners creating a private retreat at the bottom of the garden, and boutique accommodation operators offering something guests would genuinely remember. Both are considered buyers. Both are spending real money on something made to order. The brand had to earn their trust before it earned their enquiry.

THE APPROACH

Strategy came first. Positioning, audience thinking, and what the brand needed to say, all worked out before any visual decisions were made. That mattered because this category is full of clichés to avoid: the breathy wellness aesthetic, the spa-day language, the soft-focus lifestyle photography that never shows the actual product. The identity needed to feel grounded and natural without leaning into any of that.

The website built on the same foundation. Clear messaging hierarchy, a flow designed for buyers who take their time and want to understand what they're getting, and copy that addressed both audiences without muddying the brand voice.

WHERE IT LANDED

Since launching, the brand has done what it was set up to do. A feature segment on Seven Sharp and coverage in the NZ Herald put Star Baths in front of a national audience early on. Baths have been selling steadily to both homeowners and accommodation partners. And the social channels have grown into a proper sales tool, with people arriving already understanding the brand and ready to enquire.

Vinyl record design cover and vinyl half out.

Star Baths

Brand Identity
Brand Strategy
UI/UX
A grounded identity and Webflow site for a maker brand selling something made to order, in a category full of wellness clichés to sidestep.
Video created by Sarah Gudsell
Client
Star Baths
Date
2025 - 2026
Role
Brand strategy, brand identity, Webflow site, art direction, social assets

THE BRIEF

Star Baths makes handcrafted outdoor baths in Raglan. Fresh water, NZ wool insulation, no chemicals, no complicated systems. A product that sits clearly apart from spa pools and hot tubs, made by people who care about the craft. The brand around it needed to match that.

The work needed to speak to two quite different audiences: homeowners creating a private retreat at the bottom of the garden, and boutique accommodation operators offering something guests would genuinely remember. Both are considered buyers. Both are spending real money on something made to order. The brand had to earn their trust before it earned their enquiry.

THE APPROACH

Strategy came first. Positioning, audience thinking, and what the brand needed to say, all worked out before any visual decisions were made. That mattered because this category is full of clichés to avoid: the breathy wellness aesthetic, the spa-day language, the soft-focus lifestyle photography that never shows the actual product. The identity needed to feel grounded and natural without leaning into any of that.

The website built on the same foundation. Clear messaging hierarchy, a flow designed for buyers who take their time and want to understand what they're getting, and copy that addressed both audiences without muddying the brand voice.

WHERE IT LANDED

Since launching, the brand has done what it was set up to do. A feature segment on Seven Sharp and coverage in the NZ Herald put Star Baths in front of a national audience early on. Baths have been selling steadily to both homeowners and accommodation partners. And the social channels have grown into a proper sales tool, with people arriving already understanding the brand and ready to enquire.

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Disinterested non-voter

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Principled non-voter

Whose The Goat Podcast Spotify on iPhone principled non-voter
Engaged non-voter

VOAT GOAT Spotting poster mockup Engaged non-voter
Inconvenienced  non-voter

Educational video iPhone mockup inconvenienced non-voter
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Star Baths

Brand Identity
Brand Strategy
UI/UX
A grounded identity and Webflow site for a maker brand selling something made to order, in a category full of wellness clichés to sidestep.
Client
Star Baths
Date
2025 - 2026
Role
Brand strategy, brand identity, Webflow site, art direction, social assets

THE BRIEF

Star Baths makes handcrafted outdoor baths in Raglan. Fresh water, NZ wool insulation, no chemicals, no complicated systems. A product that sits clearly apart from spa pools and hot tubs, made by people who care about the craft. The brand around it needed to match that.

The work needed to speak to two quite different audiences: homeowners creating a private retreat at the bottom of the garden, and boutique accommodation operators offering something guests would genuinely remember. Both are considered buyers. Both are spending real money on something made to order. The brand had to earn their trust before it earned their enquiry.

THE APPROACH

Strategy came first. Positioning, audience thinking, and what the brand needed to say, all worked out before any visual decisions were made. That mattered because this category is full of clichés to avoid: the breathy wellness aesthetic, the spa-day language, the soft-focus lifestyle photography that never shows the actual product. The identity needed to feel grounded and natural without leaning into any of that.

The website built on the same foundation. Clear messaging hierarchy, a flow designed for buyers who take their time and want to understand what they're getting, and copy that addressed both audiences without muddying the brand voice.

WHERE IT LANDED

Since launching, the brand has done what it was set up to do. A feature segment on Seven Sharp and coverage in the NZ Herald put Star Baths in front of a national audience early on. Baths have been selling steadily to both homeowners and accommodation partners. And the social channels have grown into a proper sales tool, with people arriving already understanding the brand and ready to enquire.

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Worlds Within Pages Render image collection

A Christmas Tapestry Render image collection

Ripples of Connection Render image collection

Sundays Embrace Render image collection

Star Baths

Brand Identity
Brand Strategy
UI/UX
A grounded identity and Webflow site for a maker brand selling something made to order, in a category full of wellness clichés to sidestep.
Client
Star Baths
Date
2025 - 2026
Role & Outputs
Brand strategy, brand identity, Webflow site, art direction, social assets

THE BRIEF

Star Baths makes handcrafted outdoor baths in Raglan. Fresh water, NZ wool insulation, no chemicals, no complicated systems. A product that sits clearly apart from spa pools and hot tubs, made by people who care about the craft. The brand around it needed to match that.

The work needed to speak to two quite different audiences: homeowners creating a private retreat at the bottom of the garden, and boutique accommodation operators offering something guests would genuinely remember. Both are considered buyers. Both are spending real money on something made to order. The brand had to earn their trust before it earned their enquiry.

THE APPROACH

Strategy came first. Positioning, audience thinking, and what the brand needed to say, all worked out before any visual decisions were made. That mattered because this category is full of clichés to avoid: the breathy wellness aesthetic, the spa-day language, the soft-focus lifestyle photography that never shows the actual product. The identity needed to feel grounded and natural without leaning into any of that.

The website built on the same foundation. Clear messaging hierarchy, a flow designed for buyers who take their time and want to understand what they're getting, and copy that addressed both audiences without muddying the brand voice.

WHERE IT LANDED

Since launching, the brand has done what it was set up to do. A feature segment on Seven Sharp and coverage in the NZ Herald put Star Baths in front of a national audience early on. Baths have been selling steadily to both homeowners and accommodation partners. And the social channels have grown into a proper sales tool, with people arriving already understanding the brand and ready to enquire.

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Phase 1

3D forms sketches and paper models
phase 2

3D model Archicad of Hotel Donna
phase 3

Render image of Hotel Donna from Mamma Mia
phase 4

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We came to Poppy with a tired old logo, something that had never had any real brand thinking behind it, and it showed….She brings genuinely fresh eyes, thinks for herself, and challenges you in the most un-challenging, collaborative way. Her process is seamless, she draws out the gold from you quickly, layers her expertise on top, and somehow makes it all feel effortless. The result? A brand that finally reflects the quality of our product and the kind of customers we actually want to attract. It’s elegant, clear, and just works. Since launching, we’ve seen a real shift in the kinds of customers engaging with us, the brand is doing the heavy lifting. "

Ange Wallace

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