Our crew comes from different places with unique views and ideas, but we’ve joined forces on a shared creative vision at Tropic Studio.
We aim high at Tropic Studio. Always focused on exceeding our clients’ expectations, we deliver work of national quality and esteem.
The first step on every project is simple, and it’s always the same: we get to know the DNA of our clients’ business before we do anything else. This insight and understanding of our client’s business objectives lets us know where they’re coming from and where they want to go.
Regardless of their size, shape or sector, we seamlessly merge the past, present and future to deliver results according to their unique needs and desired outcomes. This approach underpins the long-term relationships we develop with many of our clients.
As a team, it’s fair to say we’re a bit obsessed by a few things.
We’re on a constant search for the finest design aesthetics from our favourite design studios, artists and social media feeds from across the globe.
We’re also fascinated by user experience research and development and how it impacts the work we do.
We’re in tune with both cutting-edge and proven marketing techniques, whether it’s a giant sexy statue of Jeff Goldblum for a PR stunt or a controversial viral video that divides public opinion.
We also have a healthy addiction to strong coffee and good music, but more about that when you visit Tropic HQ.
Rowing on Trinity Inlet, the thrill of second hand clothes shopping, wearing Chanel red lipstick and trainers, trying new red wine varietals, cooking Middle Eastern food and coming home with a full library bag.
Leah grew up in Townsville wanting to play basketball for Australia. She came close, attending the AIS and playing in the WNBL, but the universe (and a knee injury), had other ideas. Roles in management, human resources, marketing and administration across finance, law, health and media sectors in Brisbane, Sydney, London and Cairns. Leah’s creative flair and keen eye keeps the studio humming, meaning your creative projects will be well managed from starting point to project completion.
Travelling, sitting around a campfire, sweating it out at the gym.
A journalist with more than 20 years’ experience in broadcast, print and digital platforms, Renee fell in love with the tropics when her young family moved from New South Wales to PNG a decade ago, before settling in Cairns.
Renee began her career as a 19 year-old television news producer in Sydney. Since then she's also had roles as a TV reporter, a travel writer and radio presenter, joining the Tropic team after five years at the ABC in Cairns. The certified personal trainer also keeps busy helping her husband run his small business and acting as a taxi driver for her two teenage children.
Farming fruit trees in the rainforest, hanging out with his two dogs, tinkering with electronics, cups of tea.
He's been involved in information technology since the infancy of the internet over 25 years ago in both his native Germany and Australia and developed successful websites for organisations large and small. As a developer and coder with a focus on mobile-first technology, CK is an explorer of new technologies, features and functions. As the Tropic Studio website design ninja, CK can build anything you can dream up, so dream big!
Diving, exercise, illustrating, funky earrings and vintage books. Exploring FNQ for swimming holes and coffee shops, weekend motorcycle rides and cheese boards.
Originally from the Blue Mountains, Catherine completed schooling and a degree in Graphic Design in Wagga Wagga NSW, where she also played basketball at a State level for 3 years. Catherine prides herself on her illustration and design skills and is often inspired by her environmental surroundings, retro design and world events.
Farmers markets, dried natives, pinot noir, anything by Julia Jacklin. Exploring her new home with a backpack, camera and paperback in tow.
Annabel’s always been curious about people, places and their peculiarities. Originally from South Australia, her feature writing background and penchant for print magazines brought her to FNQ. As a journalist for Tropic Now, she’s here to seek out good stories, write cracking copy, and rearrange words with precision. She also loves a bit of alliteration.
Black coffee and the rolling green hills of The Tablelands. Pinot noirs on humid nights. Long drives to creeks, bakeries, and country pubs.
Melissa is a creative all-rounder or "swiss army knife", with a passion for branding, web design, and digital marketing.
Growing up in southern Sydney, and then the Yarra Valley, Melissa found herself accidentally moving to Cairns mid-2020 and isn't looking back.
Melissa is a sucker for good marketing and will buy a bottle of wine purely based on the label.
A cheeseburger with extra pickles, the feeling after a long jog, every post on the Mini Fox Terriers’ FB group, staying in touch with friends and family, making paper collages.
Meta, mate, Matt… this gal’s takeaway coffee cup has seen it all! Like her name Mette is Danish but has lived and worked under the Australian sun since 2019. As a graphic designer at Tropic Studio she hopes to bring strong ideas to each design project and make it pop!
Hidden delights she can find in any genre of book with warm cups of tea, fluffy blankets and soft 50,60s music.
Born in Melbourne, raised on the Gold Coast, schooling in Fremantle and most recently having lived and worked in Sydney its safe to say that Manaia has a gypsy soul. Marketing has provided the perfect creative vehicle for Manaia who has worked for small start up companies through to online major retailers. Manaia is also an administration devotee committed to improving the world one sentence at a time. Manaia can usually be found either behind the keyboard, her piano or a good book.
Our work with corporate clients allows us to throw our support behind community causes and charities.
Tropic Studio is a proud sponsor of COUCH, a local cancer care charity focused on delivering services for patients who would otherwise have to travel hundreds of kilometres away for treatment. We donate design hours to COUCH, starting with a major refresh and modernised look for the organisation’s 10-year-old logo and brand. Our team went on to implement the new brand on brochures, pull up banners, large scale signage, business cards and more.
Another key component of our studio philosophy is delivered through the pages of our deluxe print magazine Tropic and online news site TropicNow. We’re big on positivity and sharing happiness, so we take the time to promote all the good things about life in our home base of Cairns and Tropical North Queensland. Our foodie festival Meet Eat Repeat is also central to this focus on positivity, bringing the community together with great food, live music and good vibes.
