HUMBER
& WATERS
The creative. Not the agency.
Humber & Waters is a boutique creative studio where you work directly with the creative on the tools.
No account managers, no markup. The person you brief is the person who builds your branding, marketing assets, and digital design - priced to reflect the work, not the agency overhead.
What is direct to creative?
It's removing all the agency layers between you and the creative.
The traditional way businesses access creative work can be expensive. You brief an agency, pay for layers of management, and often one creative ends up producing the design.
Here's why the Direct to Creative model works better.
1. The creative who pitches the work is the creative who does it. No handoffs and no briefing chains. The person you speak to on day one is the person building your brand, and that continuity produces sharp creative, faster.
2. You pay for the work. Nothing else. Agency pricing carries the weight of account managers, operations, directors, and office space. Direct to creative cuts every layer that isn't the work itself. Which means your marketing budget goes further.
3. A tight roster means your project truly matters. Humber & Waters keeps the client list deliberately small. Your deadlines are a priority. Your feedback gets a same-day response. Your brand never gets deprioritised .
Going direct isn't settling for less. It's cutting out the layers inbetween you and the creative. The work is just as considered, just as polished, just as premium - you're just closer to the person making it.
Featured Work
Multi-million dollar apartment developments and masterplanned communities. Five-star hospitality brands built to be felt before they're seen. And the start-up on day one, with nothing but a vision and the nerve to back it. Whatever the scale, whatever the stage, the approach is the same.
One creative. Full attention. Work built to last.
Everbloom Estate
The daisies were always going to be there. We just gave them a home.
Everbloom Estate is a boutique community in Morayfield - Warm, botanical, built for families. A brand that blooms from the inside out.
Branding
Property Development
2024
Treeline Residences
Treeline Residences, a meticulously designed 45-lot boutique community nestled beside the Francis Road Koala Reserve in Lawnton.
This project celebrates harmonious living with lush green corridors, premium outdoor spaces, and peaceful internal streets that offer direct access to the surrounding Nature Reserve - inviting you to make yourself at home among the gumtrees.
Branding
Property Development
2025
Cohere Projects
Every site has a story. Cohere find its best chapter.
Cohere projects is founded on a simple belief: development should create value for everyone – residents, investors, and the neighbourhoods they call home.
Branding
Property Development
2025
Casa
Casa: A Romantic Red Haven
Inspired by the allure of Casa Amor from Love Island, Casa emerges as a dreamlike residence blending romantic, oceanside luxury living. Picture awakening to breathtaking vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea, complemented by a resort-like pool exclusively yours to enjoy with guests. More than a mere dwelling, Casa is a sanctuary of passion and elegance.
Branding
Property Development
2023
Blackoak Property Group
Blackoak Property Group is a privately owned property development company, specialising in residential and industrial projects across Queensland and Victoria.
Brisbane
Branding & Website
2025
Palm Beach Residences
A breezy beachside life beckons at Palm Beach Residences. Designed by award-winning BDA Architecture, this respectful addition to the premium northern Palm Beach precinct strikes at the heart with its breathtaking beauty & coastal charm.
Branding
Property Development
2021
FAQs
How is Humber & Waters different from a creative agency?
A traditional agency charges for account managers, operations, admin and directors on top of the actual creative work. At Humber & Waters you pay for the designer, not the whole floor. The output is agency calibre. The process is far more direct and the cost far more honest.
What creative services can Humber & Waters provide?
Humber & Waters provides a range of creative services, including brand identity, logo design, packaging, website design, digital design, and social media content. Every service is tailored to your project's unique scope and stage.
How much does it cost to work with Humber & Waters?
Because there is no agency overhead, the pricing reflects the work itself and not the team around it. Humber & Waters offers hourly rates for flexible or smaller scopes, individually priced project packages, and retainer arrangements for ongoing creative needs. Whatever the size of the business or the scale of the brief, there is an option that works. Every engagement is scoped individually so you only pay for what you actually need.
Does Humber & Waters work with property developers?
Yes. Humber & Waters has extensive experience in property project branding along the east coast of Australia, including multi-million dollar off-the-plan apartment developments, townhouses, masterplanned multi-stage communities and house and land subdivision projects across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Can Humber & Waters work with startups and small businesses?
Absolutely. The studio works with businesses at every stage, from founders on day one through to established brands ready for their next evolution. Whatever the size of the business, the approach and the quality of work remains the same.
Where is Humber & Waters based?
Humber & Waters was originally founded in Brisbane, Queensland. In 2025, the studio relocated to Kin Kin, a small town in the Noosa hinterland in Queensland. Shay works with clients across Australia and internationally.
How many clients does Humber & Waters work with at a time?
Humber & Waters keeps its client roster intentionally small, offering just a few spots each month. This ensures you get full attention and your deadlines are always a top priority.
How can you start working with Humber & Waters?
Just send an email to hello@humberandwaters.com.au with a quick overview of your project. You can also request an introductory call with Shay to discuss your needs. Every enquiry is personally reviewed, and you'll hear back within one business day.
What does a brand identity package include?
A brand identity package usually includes a logo suite, colour palette, typography selection, brand guidelines, and supporting visual assets. At Humber & Waters, every package is tailored to your specific project, ensuring your brand has exactly what it needs to launch and grow.
How long does a branding project take?
Timelines vary depending on the scope of the project. A brand identity typically takes between two to four weeks from kick off to delivery depending on number of variations. Larger projects including collateral, packaging or digital assets are scoped and scheduled individually.
How does a design retainer work?
A design retainer is a flexible arrangement where you secure a set amount of creative time each month. It's perfect for businesses with regular design needs, offering you a reliable designer on call without the cost of a full-time hire or agency overhead.
If this sounds like what you've been looking for, let's talk.
No need for a fully formed brief, just reach out with a rough idea of what you have in mind and Shay will come back to you personally within one business day. A quick email, a few bullet points, or a call works just as well.
Based in the Noosa hinterland and working with clients across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and beyond, Humber & Waters is available for projects anywhere in Australia and internationally. Distance has never been a barrier to good creative.
Spots are limited each month, so the sooner you reach out, the better the chance of getting started when you need to and hitting your deadlines.
Good work starts with a good conversation. Let's have one.