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.
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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.
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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.
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
We are a dedicated team of designers, solution architects, developers and strategists based in Auckland, NZ.
Founded in 2016, Studio Almond focuses on creating a team and culture where every member is the best at what they do, and is recognised for it.
Founded in 2016, Studio Almond focuses on creating a team and culture where every member is the best at what they do, and is recognised for it.
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.
want to work together?
AWARDS
16 Best Awards
6 AGDA
17 CSSDA
12 Awwwards
NZ Best Awards
RUBY
Silver
Inclusive, progressive and multi-dimensional, RUBY embodies much more than their ever-evolving apparel—it’s a community.
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NZ Best Awards
ACME
Gold
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.
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NZ Best Awards
Hana
Finalist
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.
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NZ Best Awards
Flooring Xtra
Finalist
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.
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NZ Best Awards
Hyoumankind
Bronze
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.
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NZ Best Awards
Muse
Finalist
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.
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NZ Best Awards
Acorn Furniture
Bronze
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.
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NZ Best Awards
MyCube
Bronze
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.
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CSS Design Awards
Woodwrights
UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos
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.
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CSS Design Awards
Abel
UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos
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.
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CSS Design Awards
Hyoumankind
SOTD, UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos
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.
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CSS Design Awards
Leif
UX, UI, Innovation, Special Kudos
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.
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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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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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NZ Best Awards
Silver
Kōkako
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AGDA
Merit
Kōkako
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AGDA
Merit
Becuming
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NZ Best Awards
Silver
Becuming
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.
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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.
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