Welcome
Hello, I’m Shaun Waugh, a graphic designer in Christchurch, New Zealand, passionate about logos, advertising, websites, and wildlife art printmaking. At MagentaDot Brands, I craft enduring corporate identities with a strategic, research-driven approach.
Co-founding Surface Active
With design pARTner Chrissie Terpstra, I created Surface Active in the late ’80s to 2002, hand screen-printing our range of NZ nature-inspired t-shirts in our back shed. Now, I design and heat-press our range of custom t-shirts available:
- New Brighton Market stall every Saturday; 10 am–2 pm.
- Online via our international online retail store, SurfaceActive.NZ, or our New Zealand-based store on the Digitees platform
- Order form on our ‘Shop’ page for t-shirts printed and heat-pressed by me in New Brighton.
- The Creatives Edit—a vibrant art and craft collective at 105 New Brighton Mall (Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm) to discover our work alongside other local artists.
Thank you for supporting local artists at New Brighton Seaside Market! This pair of signed local native bird prints is bound for New York.
Discover our collection of original prints! Explore a wide variety of sizes, from large statement pieces to smaller framed options, all printed in New Brighton by Frame‘n’Copy & signed by the artist. Browse framed and unframed options on our website.
Where ideas take shape.
Crafting strategic brands since 1984
Leveraging over 40 years in graphic design and advertising, I create standout brand identities. I prioritise clear communication and work closely with clients of all sizes to ensure your brand thrives in today’s market.
Understanding your brand needs
I tailor marketing communications by researching your market and status to define key branding qualities. Whether refreshing an established logo or launching a startup with a new name, logo, and site, I listen and understand to develop and consult on effective solutions, ensuring client satisfaction and success.
The power of visual communication is the ability to…
Talk less.
Although I’ve worked on many high-profile projects, I strive to give equal attention to the more commonplace assignments and small business clients. This is the visual minutiae—the directional signs, capabilities brochures, websites, product packaging, corporate collateral. After over 40 years of practice, I am still excited by that challenge and the possibilities each new project presents.
Craftsmanship says quality
Craftsmanship is attention to detail. Well-crafted design is more professional and that is achieved by attending to the fit and finish of the work to make it beautiful as well as useful. Approaching every design project with humility is paramount, I don’t pretend to know what I don’t know about a client’s business. This approach means the creative work emerges from the project brief, not preconceived ideas, and that makes each design tailored to meet customer needs and the process of origination mutually enjoyable.
Testimonials
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I was given Shaun Waugh’s name by a mutual acquaintance who knew I was looking for someone to create a new web site for Auto Restorations Ltd, the company of which I had recently become general manager. I had worked as a foreman in the company for 20-odd years and […]
“AS YOU KNOW we are extremely happy with the whole makeover project and the end results and continue to receive many direct compliments and endorsements for the new look. The “Kiwi Gothic” image of Sally and I is also continuing to gather recognition from both the Yellow pages and the exterior signage. We are looking […]
“AGAIN, I CAN’T THANK YOU enough for your hard work you put towards my project/website. The outcome is very professional and the feedback so far had been wow !!! from a lot of people. Looking forward to load a lot more to the site in the future. I even catch myself how I surf the […]
SHAUN IS EXPERIENCED AND SKILLED in both graphic design and artwork and in research and writing particularly with regard to tender bid document presentation and the Civil Engineering Case Studies on our TruLine Civil website. We have found all of this very valuable when preparing our Expression of Interest and Civil Engineering tender bid documents. […]
MagentaDot Brands 