July 7th, 2025
What’s your biz all about? Give us the lowdown!
Made Nice is a full-service digital design studio based in Auckland, Tauranga, and Bali, creating thoughtful, effective design where beauty meets purpose, and everything is made nice.
With teams in Auckland, Tauranga, and Bali, we blend creative strategy with pixel-perfect execution to build brand identities, websites, and digital experiences that not only look great but work hard for our clients. Our process is equal parts design thinking, technical craft, and a refusal to settle for ordinary.
We collaborate closely with ambitious brands to turn complex ideas into clear, beautiful outcomes. If you want thoughtful design that actually moves the needle, we’re your team.
What made you take the leap and start your business?
Made Nice was born the old-fashioned way: two colleagues, one existential crisis, and a shared hatred for soulless, cookie-cutter creative.
After years inside agencies where every brand started looking the same and real strategy was side-lined for speed, we hit our limit. We didn’t want to push pixels for the sake of it – we wanted to build brands with brains and beauty. So we did the obvious thing: we quit, teamed up, and started our own studio.
No safety nets, no half-measures – just a clear goal: to create world-class design rooted in critical thinking, not just trendy fluff. We built Made Nice for clients who give a damn…. who want to stand out, not blend in. Two years later, we’ve got a tight team, a killer client list, and a slightly unhealthy relationship with deadlines.
We work hard, think sharp, and genuinely love what we do.
Hit any big milestones or wins recently? Share the good news!
Ditching the kitchen table Zoom calls and committing to a proper creative HQ at The Workshop in Auckland. Making the leap from home-office chaos to a purpose-built coworking space has levelled us up—creatively, professionally, and let’s be honest, socially. There’s something magic about being surrounded by other ambitious minds (and not just your laundry).
Best advice for small biz owners or freelancers?
Work your arse off. There’s no shortcut. Do the reps, do the late nights, say yes to the hard stuff. The harder you work, the luckier you get.
What’s your #1 productivity hack?
Get up at 4am, grab a coffee, and punch out 2 hours before 6.30am.
Why TW – What do you love about us?
We chose The Workshop because we were craving more than just a desk, we wanted a space that gave structure to our days and let us bump into interesting people over coffee (not just the same four walls and a sad houseplants).
Working from home had slowly assassinated our social lives and blurred every boundary. We missed the spontaneous chats, the shared energy, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than our inboxes. The Workshop brought that back. It also happens to be perfectly placed! Our whole team lives nearby, which means no Auckland commute woes and encouragement to take a nice walk twice a day.
Your blend of professionalism with a relaxed, social atmosphere is gold. A strong community feel without forced networking. Plus, pet‑friendly policies = happy team (and happy dogs 🐾). And Donna!! We <3 Donna.
Coworking vs. home or café – what’s the real difference?
Human interaction and being surrounded by great humans.
How’s the Workshop vibe helped you level up your work?
Since moving in, we’ve seen a 3011% drop in Zoom meetings and Slack pings, scientifically measured, of course 😜. But seriously, being in the same room has made everything faster, funnier, and more human. It’s early days, but we’re excited to further integrate with all the great things that The Workshop has to offer.
Three words to describe The Workshop – go!
Supportive. Flexible. Chill.
Someone thinking about joining? What would you say to them?
Honestly? Just do the $50 week. It’s cheaper than your average night out and way better for your career. You’ll get fast Wi-Fi, good humans, proper coffee, and a reason to wear pants again.
Worst case, you have a productive week and some gain new Slack friends.
Best case, you find your new work home and a great community. Either way, it’s a win.
~ Gideon Retief
Services Offered
Made Nice are a full-stack digital design agency offering branding, bespoke web design, and user-led digital experiences. Based in Tauranga.
Website for more information
Find out more about Gideon’s work here: madenice.co.nz
Follow them on socials!
Instagram: @made_nice_design
Facebook: Made Nice Design
LinkedIn: Made Nice on LinkedIn
TikTok: @made.nice
X: @wemadenice
Or get in touch!
Email: hello@madenice.co.nz
Want to give coworking a try? Get in touch with us here or send us an email connect@theworkshopauckland.co.nz. We’ve got great options to suit a wide range of business requirements.