about

We guide lifestyle brands toward ecommerce independence. Through meticulously designed, innovative solutions, we eliminate barriers, providing our clients with the tools they need to scale and grow confidently.

Our approach is rooted in expertise across design, strategy, and technology. Led by founders, Monica and Alex, we’ve assembled a team of handpicked specialists who are as passionate about precision as they are about creativity.

Whether it's resolving legacy technical issues, crafting a bespoke Shopify experience, or implementing future-proof strategies, we pride ourselves on delivering more than just beautiful websites—our solutions work seamlessly and evolve effortlessly with your business.

our vision and mission

Vision

Our vision is to build lasting partnerships with our clients, empowering them to achieve true digital autonomy. We build ecommerce solutions that are not only beautifully crafted, but designed to grow and evolve, ensuring our clients can scale confidently without reliance on external support.

By blending design, strategy, and technology in equal parts, we push the boundaries of what ecommerce can achieve, giving brands the independence they need to thrive, adapt, and inspire long into the future.

Mission

Guided by aesthetics and innovation, we partner with the most forward-thinking brands to design their future. Our mission is to create truly tailored ecommerce solutions, where every decision is made with your business in mind. We remove the friction between ideation and realisation, ensuring a seamless transition from concept to scale.

We empower ecommerce businesses to take full ownership of their greatest digital asset—maximising its ROI and enabling long-term growth.

Our goal is simple: to equip brands with the autonomy and tools they need to thrive, transforming potential into performance at every stage of their journey.

our process

Our process is collaborative, transparent, and tailored to each client’s unique needs.

We believe in partnership over transaction—working closely with you throughout every phase of the project to ensure clarity, seamless execution, and results that exceed expectations.

Our approach prioritises flexibility and scalability, ensuring that your project not only meets your current needs but evolves with your business. Whether it’s solving technical debt or creating a future-proof solution, every decision is made with your business in mind, ensuring you have the tools and autonomy to succeed.

Services

Design + Branding

We blend artful aesthetics with strategic thinking to create brand experiences that captivate and convert. From bespoke interfaces to brand overhauls, each execution is rooted in a deep understanding of identity, objectives, and audience.

Brand & Strategy
Brand Identity
UI Design
UX Design
Copywriting
Tone of voice
UX Audits
CRO Audits

Development

By combining technical precision with a deep understanding of ecommerce, we deliver bespoke solutions that are intuitive, effective, and empowering. Our developers adhere to rigorous standards set by our Managing Director, a developer who brings over 17 years of experience.

Shopify Development
Webflow Development
Web Development
Custom Shopify Apps
B2B / Wholesale

Solutions

Beyond design and development, we offer clients a wide-reaching partnership—from audits to marketing support, to strategy sessions and more—leveraging our ecommerce expertise to provide tailored support.

Digital Strategy
Technical audits
Platform Migrations
Klaviyo Strategy
Store Consolidation

meet the team

Studio Almond focuses on creating a team and culture where every member is the best at what they do, and is recognised for it.

We differ from our competitors where junior talent typically handles most of the work, and interactions with design and technical leaders are limited.

At Studio Almond, our co-founders lead our dedicated, senior-level team with cross-disciplinary expertise to ensure project success.

Alex leads the strategic and technical aspects as solution architect Monica leads all Creative Direction.

Alex Murton

Managing Director / Co-founder

Alex began his design career in 2007, working with global artists and labels within the music industry to create award-winning digital experiences on iTunes. His clients included Moby, Tame Impala, and Modeselektor, which led to UX consulting for Apple.

Following a period in Berlin bootstrapping a digital publishing startup on iOS, Alex and Monica moved to New Zealand and co-founded Studio Almond in early 2016.

Today, Alex leads all strategic and technical aspects of the business and projects, working as a solution architect.

Husband
Pug Dad
Dyslexic
Ambidextrous
Twin
Composer

Monica Murton

Creative Director / Co-founder

Following studies in Wellington for Architecture and Media Communications, Monica moved to London where she worked with luxury brands such as Harrods and Jo Malone.

A holistic creative visionary, Monica leads the creative direction of Studio Almond and all projects.

Pug Mum
Holistic Health Seeker
Interior Lover
Kiwi
Gardener

Gina Kelly

Operations Director
Mum
Sunseeker
Book lover
Kiwi
Lefty

Phil Wright

Commercial Director
Husband
Dad
Coach
Sporty
Beach bum
Anecdotalist

Daisy Zou

Design Director
Mum
Bilingual
Plant enthusiast
Ambivert

Dan Bisley

Design Lead
Pappa
Master chef
Swede
Film enthusiast
Runner

Sam Taylor

Producer & Strategist
Gardener
traveller
Coffee lover
Sandwich enthusiast
shower singer

Kelly Rayner

Digital Producer
Equestrian
Book Obsessed
Dog Mum
Foodie
Beginner Gardener

Ahmad Bilal

Frontend Developer
Husband
Dad
Introvert
Analytical
Book Reader
Firstborn

Poh Nean Tai

Full Stack Engineer
Dad
Geek
Coffee Enjoyer
Multilingual
Global Citizen

Narish Tatlonghari

Frontend Developer
Wife
Beach Lover
Swiftie
A Driver
Online shopper

Vivek Anand

Fullstack Developer
Guitarist
Singer
problem solver
first born

Olga Birkovska

Frontend Developer
Ukrainian
Cat mum
Dancer
Nerd
Polyglot

our clients

We work with leading lifestyle brands who are driven by quality, story telling, and innovation.

AWARDS

16 Best Awards

6 AGDA

17 CSSDA

12 Awwwards

NZ Best Awards

RUBY

Silver

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Inclusive, progressive and multi-dimensional, RUBY embodies much more than their ever-evolving apparel—it’s a community.

NZ Best Awards

ACME

Gold

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When the hospitality industry came to a standstill during the pandemic, coffee enthusiasts worldwide sought to recreate the café experience at home. Naturally, they turned to Acme to source the same cups used by their favourite cafés. Four years on, this hospitality leader was ready for a custom DTC Shopify site and B2B wholesale portal that reflected the exceptional quality of their products. Acme placed their order.

NZ Best Awards

Hana

Finalist

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Hana—meaning "to glow and radiate" in te reo Māori—encapsulates a sanctuary of serenity. With its calming atmosphere and rejuvenating treatments, the spa offers respite from life’s everyday chaos. Our task was to mirror that tranquillity online. By refining the brand and transitioning them to Shopify, we created a seamless connection between Hana’s physical and digital spacings, increasing bookings and sales while offering their team greater autonomy over their online storefront.

AGDA

ACME

Pending

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When the hospitality industry came to a standstill during the pandemic, coffee enthusiasts worldwide sought to recreate the café experience at home. Naturally, they turned to Acme to source the same cups used by their favourite cafés. Four years on, this hospitality leader was ready for a custom DTC Shopify site and B2B wholesale portal that reflected the exceptional quality of their products. Acme placed their order.

NZ Best Awards

Flooring Xtra

Finalist

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Founded in 2008, Flooring Xtra has quickly grown into one of New Zealand’s leading flooring suppliers, with over 60 retail stores nationwide. Following a brand refresh, we created a new, custom Shopify site that streamlined the customer journey and transformed the website into an extension of the in-store experience, optimising business operations and improving customer satisfaction.

CSS Design Awards

ACME

UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos

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When the hospitality industry came to a standstill during the pandemic, coffee enthusiasts worldwide sought to recreate the café experience at home. Naturally, they turned to Acme to source the same cups used by their favourite cafés. Four years on, this hospitality leader was ready for a custom DTC Shopify site and B2B wholesale portal that reflected the exceptional quality of their products. Acme placed their order.

NZ Best Awards

Hyoumankind

Bronze

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Hyoumankind’s best-seller can be summed up by this astute customer review: “If Apple made a pillow, this would be it.” With slow-release memory foam and an ergonomic design refined over a decade, the Go Pillow is truly the pillow reinvented. After revolutionising sleep, spine alignment and wrinkle reduction, the next challenge was to increase conversions through an elevated Shopify experience. That’s where we stepped in.

NZ Best Awards

Muse

Finalist

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Boutique fashion retailer, Muse has curated top brands from around the globe since 1996. Their Shopify site had significant potential to become a key growth driver, complementing their 5 physical stores throughout New Zealand. By transitioning them from a purchased theme to a custom design, we delivered an ownable digital experience, elevating both the user experience and the brand.

NZ Best Awards

Acorn Furniture

Bronze

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Acorn Furniture, specialists in furniture for aged care and retirement facilities, required an ecommerce experience that resonated with their growing clientele of interior designers and developers. We crafted a bespoke digital showroom on Shopify, featuring case studies, customisation options, and a seamless quote-building process.

NZ Best Awards

MyCube

Bronze

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With a 120-year family legacy in safekeeping, Mycube is a leader in American personal security. Following a comprehensive rebrand, the next step was to revolutionise their digital ecosystem. We brought their refined identity to life through a new Shopify Plus site that was purpose-built to optimise conversions and reflect Mycube's enduring commitment to security and innovation.

AGDA

MyCube

Pending

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With a 120-year family legacy in safekeeping, Mycube is a leader in American personal security. Following a comprehensive rebrand, the next step was to revolutionise their digital ecosystem. We brought their refined identity to life through a new Shopify Plus site that was purpose-built to optimise conversions and reflect Mycube's enduring commitment to security and innovation.

CSS Design Awards

Woodwrights

UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos

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With a legacy spanning over 25 years, Woodwrights has a rich history in furniture design and manufacturing, producing best-in-class pieces from their Motueka workshop.

CSS Design Awards

Abel

UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos

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After a decade of pioneering natural fragrance, Abel embarked on a bold rebrand. Having achieved the impossible with 100% natural formulations, and setting new transparency standards by disclosing their full ingredient lists, they leaned into their legacy of defiant rebellion.

CSS Design Awards

Hyoumankind

SOTD, UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos

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Hyoumankind’s best-seller can be summed up by this astute customer review: “If Apple made a pillow, this would be it.” With slow-release memory foam and an ergonomic design refined over a decade, the Go Pillow is truly the pillow reinvented. After revolutionising sleep, spine alignment and wrinkle reduction, the next challenge was to increase conversions through an elevated Shopify experience. That’s where we stepped in.

CSS Design Awards

Leif

SOTD, UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos

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Leif, a beauty brand born out of product design approached us to elevate their ecommerce experience. With design at the forefront, we built a bespoke Shopify Plus store that celebrates from, scent and Australian botanicals, providing the necessary tools to scale and evolve.

AGDA

Hyoumankind

Pending

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Hyoumankind’s best-seller can be summed up by this astute customer review: “If Apple made a pillow, this would be it.” With slow-release memory foam and an ergonomic design refined over a decade, the Go Pillow is truly the pillow reinvented. After revolutionising sleep, spine alignment and wrinkle reduction, the next challenge was to increase conversions through an elevated Shopify experience. That’s where we stepped in.

Awwwards.com

Honourable Mention, Mobile Excellence

Nightworks

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Awwwards.com

Honourable Mention, Mobile Excellence

Aleph Beauty

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Awwwards.com

Honourable Mention, Mobile Excellence

Becuming

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NZ Best Awards

Gold

BLUNT Umbrellas

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NZ Best Awards

Silver

Nightworks

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NZ Best Awards

Bronze

Aleph Beauty

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CSS Design Awards

UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos

BLUNT Umbrellas

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NZ Best Awards

Finalist

Two Islands

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NZ Best Awards

Finalist

Deadly Ponies

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AGDA

Merit

BLUNT Umbrellas

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AGDA

Finalist

Nightworks

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AGDA

Finalist

Two Islands

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Awwwards.com

Honourable Mention, Mobile Excellence

Two Islands

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Awwwards.com

Ecommerce Website of the Year (Nominated)

Two Islands

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Awwwards.com

Ecommerce Website of the Year (Nominated)

Becuming

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Awwwards.com

Honourable Mention, Mobile Excellence

Mahsa

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Awwwards.com

Honourable Mention, Mobile Excellence

Kōkako

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NZ Best Awards

Silver

Kōkako

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AGDA

Merit

Kōkako

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AGDA

Merit

Becuming

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

NZ Best Awards

Silver

Becuming

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AGDA

Finalist

Emma Lewisham

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Got a project? Let's chat. We'd love to be part of your brand's next phase of growth.