Government visual identity
Our design concept for RSG’s government visual identity incorporates Māori design. It’s a fresh take on DIA’s raranga (weave) pattern, bringing together multiple woven strands with upward facing chevrons to signify excellence. We applied this design concept throughout the strategy document to guide the viewer through the information. Key information, such as focus areas, are highlighted. We designed a strategy-on-a-page so that RSG can quickly showcase its vision, purpose and principles. Posters for the DIA offices also share this information.
We produced a video to support the launch of the strategy, explaining RSG’s key focus areas. The design of the graphics connect directly to the strategy document, giving consistency for the audience.
Eating and Activity Guidelines
A large, bespoke suite of icons were created to support content headings and make it easy to navigate through the different eating and activity sections.
The document’s recommendations are easy to digest through a consistent use of infographics, iconography, and typographic structure.
The Eating and Activity Guidelines is now a visually inviting, contemporary document that clearly communicates evidence-based recommendations for New Zealand adults.
Campaign design for the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan
The campaign materials align with the look and feel established by a commissioned photograph for the Action Plan document. The materials place emphasis on people and families with natural and relaxed photography throughout. The design is light and airy, evoking clean air and open skies.
The printed materials are structured and eye-catching, with icons and coloured tabs drawing attention to key information.
The animated video brings the Action Plan to life with a montage of smokefree milestones already passed and the contribution of advocates and organisations that have gotten us here. Selfie videos woven in at the end of the video – community members expressing Aotearoa’s smokefree aspirations in their own words – underscores the Action Plan’s emphasis on communities and people.
Recognising the Action Plan’s focus on equity, the campaign materials are available in English, Te Reo Māori, plus five Pacific languages to ensure a wide reach in the communities that are most harmed by smoking.
The Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan has been discussed on RNZ, Stuff, NZ Herald and international media.
Feedback from The Smokefree 2025 Team:
‘Ngā mihi nui to the team at Gusto for helping us develop media for our Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 campaign. You were extremely flexible and open to the fast paced changes, requests and ideas, and produced beautiful work that seamlessly built on the Action Plan campaign look and feel. Ka rawe e te Gusto tīma!’
Policy documents
Infographics explain complex processes enabling customers to easily understand what they are covered for and how to make a claim.
Both documents achieve the WriteMark. This is awarded after being checked against rigorous criteria, and means the policies are focused on the needs of the intended audience, are easy to read, understand, and act on.
Achieving this standard communicates SCTI’s commitment to understanding their customers’ needs and ensures their customers get the best experience when selecting them as a travel insurance provider.
The fresh policy designs take the stress out of travel planning, removes any guess work, and gives customers peace of mind before they head out on their adventures.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance feedback:
‘We’ve had the pleasure of working with the Gusto team on two projects. Each time, the team has been a dream to work with, offering regular communication and meticulous attention to detail. They’re also incredibly responsive and the quality of work is just superb. We look forward to working with them again very soon on future projects.’
Publication design
Our design uses consistent layout, illustration, colour and typography to guide the reader and help them focus on the information in a structured way. Key messages and quotes from leading professionals are given particular focus. We re-designed the graphs and tables to highlight the data referenced in the text – particularly the current problems of the health system.
Each recommendation has a unique illustration to visually describe the message, summarise and support the content. Our illustration design builds on the existing conference icon of the heartbeat and harakeke flax so that the audience can connect the document to the event. The cover illustrations reinforce the idea of equity, supporting the message that ASMS wants to communicate to New Zealand’s leaders.
Feedback from ASMS:
‘We have teamed up with Gusto on several projects – it’s always a pleasure and they deliver exceptional results. They are able to analyse data and information and turn it into engaging, eye-catching content which helps tell a story and convey key messages. The team is professional and make the creative and editing processes so easy. They are great to deal with and definitely give our publications the X-factor.’
Hoki ki ngā tūāpapa – Back to basics animation campaign series
We created a beginning sequence using NDHB’s gifted Ngā Tātai Ihorangi branding to frame each message. Another familiar detail you’ll spot throughout these animations is the yellow COVID-19 branding. We used this as a transition device for the end sequence, ensuring people connect their broader wellbeing and the COVID-19 response.
The peppy voiceover and music track was repurposed from a recent radio campaign. It helps drive the animations along at a quick pace.
A selection of initial sketches for the storyboards
Character style concept design
For this project we also created fully illustrated storyboards to help the client visualise the animation
Northland District Health Board feedback:
“Throughout the process, the team at Gusto were excellent to work with, and they have done a great job. The design team members used their initiative and offered creative solutions, which has resulted in the production of six 30-sec animations for broadcast on digital platforms.”
Pet health insurance policy document
Infographics and illustrations will support the content and help to explain common customer trip ups, and communicate exclusions transparently.
The straightforward and clear design provides customers with peace of mind that they have chosen the right health insurance for their pet, and that it will meet their expectations if they ever need to claim.
We worked closely with Write to ensure the pet health insurance policy document achieved the WriteMark Plain Language Standard.
View the full policy document on the Budget Direct website.
The Hidden Cost of Healthcare Infographic
#MakeItTheNorm Campaign animation
Inspired by the work of Toby Morris, we created a scroll-through animated illustration to be housed on their website. Using a graphic novel style, our illustration shows the experiences of Tom and his whānau. The illustration tells the story of how inequities in housing, school/work and whānau wellbeing impact on health outcomes.
We compiled the scroll-through as a series of gifs. These are used individually on RACP’s social media platforms as links to view the main story on the website. The imagery created for the animation is flexible in style so can be used across a variety of media.
Kōrero mai ki ahau conversation cards
The cards are a prompt to try out questions with anyone you would like to start a conversation with. They cover five different categories: family/whānau, place/turangawaewae, school/kura, work/mahi, and hobbies/nga whakangahau.
We visually distinguished each category using a unique bright colour and illustrations. We used a hand-drawn illustration style to create a human feel, since these cards are about interaction between two parties.
This special printed resource was unveiled at the Hui Fono event and will be given away at other Year of Lifelong Learning events throughout the year. The cards have already received great feedback on social media and people are eager to order their own packs to get the conversation started! The cards help people engage on a deeper level so they can learn from one another and build community.
Feedback from ACE Aotearoa:
‘The team at GUSTO were able to help us shape Kōrero Mai ki Ahau – an idea that came out of a concern that people need to “rediscover the art of conversation” and develop highly sought after soft skills. We were also thinking about the need to connect with elderly people on a deeper level and create a space where they might be encouraged to talk about early life experiences. We will be promoting the resource at the upcoming Gerontology Conference in April. The project was delivered with a small budget and in a very tight timeframe.’