About - Wandering Stars Brand design, advertising and web design specialists

The Wandering Stars story

For more than 25 years, Wandering Stars has been helping New Zealand companies get noticed and get business. Some things have changed dramatically in that time, particularly the channels we use for communication, however the core things haven’t changed at all.

Businesses still need help to explore customers’ motivations, analyse their needs and develop a plan that will drive growth. And customers still want to find information and solve their problems in ways that are easy, engaging and entertaining.

As a collective of brand, advertising and website design specialists, Wandering Stars assesses your challenge then assembles the most appropriate team for each project. From finance to pharmaceuticals and food to farming, we solve marketing challenges with fine design, persuasive words and elegant code. The final touch is a creative sprinkle of star dust that will set you apart from your competitors.

The Wandering Stars story

A word from our leader

“When people ask what Wandering Stars can do for their business, because they’re trying to choose from a plethora of web development companies in Auckland, I can either rattle off a long list of services or say something really simple, like: ‘We help existing and potential customers to feel magnetically drawn to your brand’.

The simple response is actually the best, because it underlines the purpose of working with one creative agency for a new website, marketing collateral, ad campaign or brand fitout. You’re here because you need to retain existing customers and attract new ones. And you do this by expressing your product or service benefits memorably, consistently and convincingly through the most appropriate channels.

To put a rocket under your business, we build websites that look good and transform curiosity into enquiry. We also create digital and traditional media advertising campaigns that drive traffic to your website or store. And, when your brand needs a refresh, we can evolve your logo, write a convincing brand story and develop a tagline that you’ll enjoy seeing on your business card.

Creativity is the fuel that will drive your brand into your hearts and minds of your audience. With our help, it can be applied to every aspect of your brand and marketing strategy to give you an all-important market advantage.”

RUTH OSBORNE, Founder Wandering Stars

A word from our leader

RUTH OSBORNE, Founder Wandering Stars

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

We are delighted with the new website that Ruth Osborne has designed for our business. From scoping the brief through to implementation, Ruth has worked to understand our business, bringing clarity to the structure and content, and providing great ideas on graphics and imagery. Ruth worked above and beyond the brief to accomplish a result that we’re very happy with. We highly recommend Ruth to anyone needing an enticing, professionally designed website.

Sheryl BeaumontAxiome Consultants

Wandering Stars transformed our website, that was a largely boring technical document, into a market orientated, easy-to-read sales tool. Architects have commented: “we use your website as a training tool for our designers”. Ruth worked closely with our team to come up with a look and feel that represented NZ Fire Doors, inviting our customers at all points to call and talk to us. I have no hesitation in recommending Ruth to anyone looking for a consummate professional to build a brand and website.

Linda TreurenNZ Fire Doors

I have worked with Ruth for many years, and though the mix of her work has changed as she’s adapted to the fluid nature of the advertising/design/communications industry, her abilities and dedication to achieving the best outcome possible has remained consistent. I consider Ruth to be among the most talented creative people I know and have no hesitation in recommending her.

Elwyn PugsleyProcreation

Ruth looks beyond the immediate priorities and challenges existing conventions to ensure websites communicate effectively with all users. She ensures that the design is based on a sound business strategy which provides quality and durability.

Bruce CopelandSandfield Associates

We have dealt with Ruth at Wandering Stars for some years now. Over that time we have done 3 new websites along with various upgrades along the way. Ruth is a terrific person to use. We give her a rough outline of what we want to achieve, provide the raw information and Ruth transforms it into a finished product. Quick, efficient and very professional. We would not hesitate to use her again and would totally recommend her.

Kevin TennantRH Freeman

HOW TO CHOOSE A WEB COMPANY

Look carefully at each web company’s website. Is it engaging, attractive and easy to use?
Browse their gallery of case studies. Do you like what you see? Have they explained the challenge and the solution in each case?
Make a phone call to see if they’re in your budget ballpark. There’s no point talking to a company that’s seeing a five-figure sum when you’re thinking about a four-figure sum.
If they’re in your ballpark, set up a meeting and tell them about your biggest business challenges or opportunities. See what ideas they can supply that are fresh and interesting.
Decide whether you ‘click’ with them. You should feel like they’re truly interested in helping you.

HOW TO CHOOSE A BRAND DESIGN COMPANY

Study their logo. Is it cool? Does it stand out in the market?
Look at the brand designs in their portfolio or gallery. Do you like them?
Think about the overall feeling of their website. Does every page feel like part of one team? Are colours consistent between the pages?
Set a budget for your branding exercise and ask them what could be achieved with it. Don’t be put off if they ask for a bit more; superior branding always delivers a decent ROI.