ABOUT US
Intoducing Natalie Rogers...Natalie has a background is in the hospitality industry as a general manager for Lion Breweries hotels division. Natalie was the youngest female hotel manager at the tender age of 24. This was where she gained a wealth of business, communication and marketing skills. Natalie ran numerous hotels throughout the country with her last post being at the Masonic Hotel in Napier with staff of 120 in the early 90's. This is where she met Willy.An investment opportunity was favourable, so she decided to join forces with Willy and created Design Studio back in the mid 90's.Natalie believes no other company can offer the total package that Design Studio can produce under one roof.One call, we can definitely do it all.
Introducing Willy Ransfield...Willy is a colourful character with a colourful work history. We dare you to continue on and read the entire script!Warning.The following is very lengthy and bordering on blah blah! If you choose to scroll down, we advise you to cancel any immediate meetings and have "stay awake" medication on hand. The creators of these words will not take responsibility of the following 1. If you get bored!. 2. If you fall asleep and get zapped as you knock your coffee over the keyboard! This is all "About Willy"!Chef De Cuisine.Willy trained as a chef in his earlier years. This was the initial stage of identifying his creative flair as his cooking ability and presentation of food was always at the highest visual level. Following his passion he ventured overseas to Australia then England. This was where he resided for several years and took on the responsibility as executive chef for the London based Directors Table Group. A highlight of his cooking career was the privilege of cooking for Her Majesty the Queen. He still has those credentials safely tucked away. In recent years Willy has offered his cuisine knowledge on a consultancy level. Still passionate, Willy has produced several food related advertising campaigns. Many of these projects are prepared on a dedcated outdoor BBQ kitchen he puposely built. Proof is in the pudding! View the mouth watering results in the signage and photography gallery.Go straight to the sauce, he'll add flavour to your project.Sign Writer.Upon returning to New Zealand, Willy ventured into a totally different direction establishing the company Design Studio Ltd alongside Natalie back in 1995. Primarily a dedicated signage company, the business went from strength to strength. Due to the high calibre of sign work being produced, the duo were nominated as a member of the NZ Sign & Display Association in 1999. This facility reinforced the level of workmanship and the professional services being offered to their customers.To date, Willy has created countless signage projects. In the history of the NZ Sign - Display Awards "being established in 1997", Design Studio are proud to have achieved the largest haul of Gold Medals in Hawkes Bay. A multiple of Silver and Bronze Medals are also proudly displayed on their office walls.No ones quicker than this sign fitter.Carpenter Joiner.Willy is proud to follow in his fathers footsteps and further educated himself within the carpentry and joinery industry. He has since designed and produced many original pieces of fine furniture. Various items are proudly displayed in his home.These skills have allowed Willy to craft an array of gold medal award winning point of sale display cabinets. They are evident in the signage gallery. All carpentry work is constructed on site in a dedicated fully equipped workshop.We will help you "nail" your project.Advertising Graphic Design and Print.To compliment the successful signage production, it was identified and necessary to implement advertising and graphic design work. Willy gained further training and is now fluent in navigating his way around various design programs. Further training in digital print management justified the purchase of a large format digital printer. This printer produces images from a bedside framed family photo to a full scale graphic that can be applied to a side of a B-Train truck. Being totally self sufficient under one roof gives the business the leading edge and ability to supply a prompt, quality, cost effective service.Many small things have been made large by good advertising.Professional Photography.An important element to the overall Design Studio portfolio. Photography was also identified necessary so Willy again took the educational journey. That investment certainly paid off as he has the ability to undertake commercial, people, food and event photography at any level. Achieving several Kodak awards and winning the NZ Canon Photography Competition in 2008 have reinforced the quality, professionalism and workmanship behind his lens.Willy is proud to be the Official Professional Photographer to the Hospice Holly Trail who recently raised $185,000.00. He is a keen rugby supporter and is the official photographer to the Hawkes Bay Magpies along with being accredited to the Rugby World Cup 2011.There are no rules for good photographs. There are only good photographs.If your not asleep yet... there is more!In his spare time Willy enjoys creating original artwork for his home, landscape gardening and debating with two teenage sons who are both getting sharper on a daily basis. He also supports various charitable events throughout Hawkes Bay.
