Designatbay

15/10/2026

Every great book begins with a conversation. 🎨
We’re excited to be working with Eastern Cape artist McKenzie SA Artist to bring his paintings and personal reflections together, from canvas to binding, into a life’s work in an art book.

14/10/2026

Before anyone boards a taxi, train or bus, they've already read the system. A sign, a rank, a route, a hand signal. In seconds, in a hurry, often in a second language. 🚐 October is Transport Month; we're looking at what the minibus taxi hand signs and Britain's motorway signs teach us about information design. Both come down to the same principle: design for the moment of use. Read the full blog here: https://designatbay.com/read-in-two-seconds-what-transport-month-teaches-us-about-information-design/

07/10/2026

When a visual identity has to speak across countries, cultures and formats.

For UNCDF’s DFS4Women, we brought financial empowerment to life through an illustrated identity inspired by Uganda — extending the concept across multilingual programmes, event branding, digital assets and international production for audiences across eight countries. See how we bring complex ideas to life:
https://designatbay.com/united-nations-international-development/

30/09/2026

New website. Same belief: strategy first, creativity always.
From brand identities and publications to digital experiences, illustration, animation and strategic communications, we turn complex ideas into clear, engaging visual solutions. Our new website brings together the thinking, creativity and work behind Design@Bay. Come take a look at designatbay.com

28/09/2026

Heritage Month is almost over. Is your heritage? 🇿🇦 When the beadwork comes down, what remains? Our latest blog, Beyond the Beadwork, explores why meaningful cultural communication goes beyond September, and why heritage belongs in the strategy, not just the campaign.

Read more in our latest blog: http://designatbay.com/beyond-the-beadwork-why-heritage-is-a-strategy-not-a-september-campaign/

21/09/2026

There’s something special about becoming the student again. 🎨 Our MD and Creative Director, Dipti Varghese, recently stepped away from the everyday world of briefs, brands and deadlines to spend time creating and learning under the guidance of renowned Eastern Cape artist R. D. “Bob” McKenzie in Port Alfred.

There is something deeply inspiring about watching a master at work, seeing how experience becomes instinct, how a brushstroke becomes light and movement, and how an ordinary scene becomes something that makes you stop and feel. It was also a beautiful reminder that creativity never really reaches a finish line. No matter how many years you have spent creating, leading and shaping ideas, there is always another perspective to discover and another way of seeing.

Because experience builds confidence, but curiosity keeps us creative. Here’s to remaining students of our craft, always learning, always inspired, always creating. ❤️

03/09/2026

Most brands have guidelines. The harder question is: does the work actually follow them? Put your last ten pieces of communication next to each other- a social post, proposal, report, campaign, advert, email, and you might be surprised by what you see.

Brand drift rarely happens all at once. It happens one small decision at a time. And in South Africa, where brands speak to different languages, cultures, communities and contexts, consistency doesn't mean sounding exactly the same everywhere. It means adapting without losing who you are.

Our latest blog looks at the brand voice audit nobody really wants to do, and why it might be worth doing anyway. Read more: https://designatbay.com/the-brand-voice-audit-nobody-wants-to-do/

17/08/2026

We’re proud to share some wonderful news with our community. 🏆

Design@Bay has been named Leading Integrated Brand Communications Agency 2026 – South Africa in the MEA Markets African Excellence Awards 2026. After more than 26 years of creating, collaborating and bringing ideas to life, this recognition is a proud moment for our team.

Thank you to our clients, partners and supporters for trusting us with your stories.

Design@Bay is one of the 2026 winners of the African Excellence Awards at MEA Markets.

12/08/2026

Learning is more powerful when children can see, explore and engage with what they're learning.

Our illustrated primary education learning materials combine clear instructional content with colourful, age-appropriate visuals and activities designed to make learning more engaging for young learners.
From counting and numbers to positions, sequencing, and telling time, every page is designed to turn learning concepts into accessible, interactive experiences.

At Design@Bay, we believe good educational design does more than make information look good; it helps make knowledge easier to understand, remember and enjoy.

14/07/2026

The future belongs to brands that think clearly.
In a world saturated with content, attention is no longer the biggest challenge. Understanding is. Our latest blog explores why clarity has become one of the most valuable competitive advantages a brand can build, and how organisations can move beyond aesthetics to create messaging that is understood, trusted, and remembered. Read the full article here: https://designatbay.com/the-future-belongs-to-brands-that-think-clearly/