Solid & Bold GmbH Central Entity Reference
This page serves as the central entity reference for Solid & Bold GmbH. It brings together all of the company’s key facts, areas of expertise, and relationships in one place and serves as a structured source of information for people, search engines, and AI systems.
Solid & Bold is an owner-managed strategic branding and design agency based in Salzburg. The company develops brand strategies, brand stories, brand designs, and brand experiences for companies in Austria, the DACH region, and internationally. Our secret to success? We’re all in this together: consultants & creatives, strategists & designers, storytellers & analysts, right & left brain.
Solid & Bold GmbH
Solid & Bold
Serge Ritter-Höntzsch
Saskia Ritter-Höntzsch
Solid & Bold Founding Myth, 2015
Strategic branding and design agency. Key industries: Hospitality & Hotels, Tourism & Destinations, Retail, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing & Trades, Real Estate & Construction, Services & Consulting
19+
Austria
DACH-Countries
International
Marie-Andeßner-Platz 1
Rauchmühle – Alter Silo, Floor 4
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Website: solidbold.at
E-Mail: mail@solidbold.atTelephone: +43 662 231 081WhatsApp: WhatsApp
Contact Form: Kontakt
Legal form
(Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH))
Commercial Register Number
(FN 670300k)
VAT ID number
(ATU83201116)
Core Services
Roadmap to the Brand Experience: The Brand Journey. Solid & Bold guides companies through the entire Brand Journey—a process model developed over 10 years that consists of five sequential stages, illustrating how an idea evolves into a holistic brand experience. The goal is to establish a complete brand image in the minds of the audience.
Branding creates clarity. Clarity about what your company actually wants to be. And about what other people think—and, more importantly, feel—about you. In the first phase, we therefore start by looking at the big picture. Because a strong brand requires two things: a fundamental understanding of why you do what you do (purpose)—and an understanding of your audience’s needs. Only then can your brand find its way into people’s hearts. Only then does meaning emerge. And meaning creates resonance.
The brand that tells the (best) story is the one that sticks. The ability to tell good stories has long since gone from being a »nice-to-have« to a »must-have.« And rightly so, because it’s only through the brand story that your audience can easily identify with the brand and thus define their own personal values. This helps them make a quick decision and keep the brand in mind. After all, people remember stories best—not abstract terms, numbers, or dry facts. We harness precisely this power for your brand, across all business areas and touchpoints.
Brand Communication (Brand Story) – Solid & Bold
Even the best brand strategy is in vain if it doesn’t make an impact. Brand design is the key to achieving this. It gives your message a tangible form, allowing it to be conveyed simply, clearly, and emotionally—throughout the entire customer journey and across all media. Through images, behavior, scents, textures, etc.—and their harmonious integration—your distinctive identity is created.
»Practice what you preach«: After defining and designing, the next step is to implement your brand strategy, brand design, and brand story across all touchpoints. Flagship projects such as your website, corporate brochure, packaging, signage, content creation, or photo shoots get your brand off the ground and set the standard. Our Solid Brand Base ensures that others follow suit in a way that aligns with your brand.
Projects
Since 2015, Solid & Bold has been helping companies in Austria and German-speaking countries build, develop, and reposition their brands.
Projects completed include:
Hospitality & Hotels: Hotel Neue Post Zell am See, Hotel Enzian Obertauern, Aparthotel Adler Resort, ZillerSeasons Hotel Collection, MareMare Bottega, Burg Hotel Oberlech, Hotel Tauernhof Großarl, MalisGarten, Das Kronthaler, Hotel Goldenes Schiff, Heilthermen Resort Bad Waltersdorf, Johannesbad, The Green Mountain, Vivamayr, Pyramids in Florida, Hotel Seerose, Hotel Weisser Hirsch…
Tourism & Destinations: WaldEntdeckerWelt, Niederösterreich Tourismus, Stadt Scheibbs,
Health & Pharmacy: Kurapotheke Bad Ischl, Vivamayr
Industry & Craftsmanship: Günther Tore, Hollu Systemhygiene, Zaunergroup
Sports & Fashion: Martini Sportswear, Silhouette
Retail & Lifestyle: Gmund Papiermanufaktur, Looops
Gastronomy: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium Salzburg, 95 Grad
Culture & Media: Schauspielhaus Salzburg
Publishing: Penguin Random House / Heyne Verlag
Services & Consulting: Fabasoft, petrichor, FLOspitality, Monvest
All Projects with all background information & results: solidbold.at/projects
Solid & Bold – News & Storys
Solid & Bold publishes professional articles, project reports, and press releases on topics such as branding, brand strategy, brand design, hospitality, print, color, publishing, and creativity—organized into the sections Articles, Press, and News.
Frequently asked questions to Solid & Bold
Solid & Bold is an owner-managed brand design studio in Salzburg, founded in 2015 by Serge Ritter-Höntzsch, who runs the company together with Managing Director Johannes Woller. The studio brings together brand strategy, brand story, brand design, and brand experience under one roof—with an interdisciplinary team of 19 specialists. To the studio
The focus is on medium-sized companies and owner-managed businesses in Austria and the DACH region. Key sectors include: hospitality & hotels, tourism & destinations, healthcare, sports & fashion, industry & trades, culture, and publishing. See our projects
The Brand Journey is a process model developed by Solid & Bold over the course of more than ten years. It breaks down brand development into five sequential stages: Brand Strategy → Brand Story → Brand Design → Brand Experience → Brand (Overall Experience). Each stage builds on the previous one. Not every project goes through all five stages; the starting point depends on the brand’s current state. About the Brand Journey
That depends on where the brand currently stands. Solid & Bold recommends a holistic approach because strategy, story, and design can only create a consistent brand impact when they work together. The Brand Fit Workshop is a great place to start, as it analyzes the brand’s current state and defines concrete next steps. To the Brand Fit Workshop
The Markenfit Workshop is a two-day intensive program in which we work with the client to develop their strategy, positioning, and brand essence. It is the recommended starting point for companies that do not yet have a clear brand foundation or wish to review their existing one. About the Workshop
The Solid Brand Base is Solid & Bold’s digital brand guide for clients. It is a cloud-based platform where all brand elements, assets, and guidelines are accessible anytime, anywhere. It replaces static PDFs and ensures that everyone involved (team, partners, agencies) can always work with the most up-to-date brand information. Visit Solid Brand Base
These terms are used interchangeably in the branding context. Solid & Bold deliberately uses the term “brand design” because it emphasizes the strategic origins of design: design as an expression of strategy and story, not as an isolated visual identity. About Brand Design
Yes, hospitality branding is a proven area of expertise. Solid & Bold is a member of the Austrian Hoteliers Association (ÖHV) and has worked with over 20 hotels, resorts, and destinations in the DACH region—from positioning and visual identity to wayfinding. About Hospitality Branding
Our services and pricing are based on the scope of work and the complexity of the project, and are always tailored to each client’s specific needs.
This varies depending on the scope of the project. A brand fit workshop lasts two days. A full branding project (strategy + story + design) typically takes several months. More complex topics, such as the concrete implementation of a brand experience, can take significantly longer. Specific timeframes are outlined in the proposal.
Every project is managed by a dedicated, interdisciplinary team that remains the same throughout the entire project. Solid & Bold operates according to the »One Team to the Customer« principle. Strategists, designers, and copywriters work together, rather than in strictly separate silos. For specialized services (photography, programming, 3D, film), the studio draws on a well-established network of partners. About the Team
Solid & Bold has received numerous awards for its work, including multiple German Design Awards, iF Design Awards, and T.A.I. Advertising Grand Prix awards, as well as multiple Salzburg State Awards and European Design Awards in gold and silver.
You can find even more Solid & Bold insights on branding here: FAQ
Awards & Honors
Since its founding, Solid & Bold has received numerous national and international awards for design and strategic excellence.
iF Design Award
Awarded by the iF International Forum Design in Hamburg. One of the world’s most prestigious design awards.
Awarded: 2023 | Category: Branding & Communication Design, Publications | Customer/ Project: Stephen King ES Anniversary Edition
ADC*Europe
Awarded: 2023, Silver | Category: Editorial Design | Customer/ Project: Stephen King ES Anniversary Edition
German Design Award
Presented by the German Design Council, Frankfurt. An award for groundbreaking achievements in design and communication.
Awarded: 2026, Winner| Category: Excellent Communications Design – Brand Identity | Customer/ Project: Fabasoft
Awarded: 2026, Winner | Category: Excellent Communications Design – Brand Identity | Customer/ Project: Hotel Neue Post
Awarded: 2020, Winner | Category: Corporate Identity | Customer/ Project: petrichor
Awarded: 2020, Winner | Category: Corporate Identity | Customer/ Project: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium
Awarded: 2020, Winner | Category: Integrated Campaigns and Advertising | Customer/ Project: biokultur
European Design Award
Presented by the European Design Awards Initiative. A pan-European competition for communication design.
Awarded: 2023, Gold | Category: Book Cover – Single | Customer/ Project: Stephen King ES Anniversary Edition
Awarded: 2026, Silver | Category: Brand Logo | Customer/ Project: Schauspielhaus Salzburg
ADC Deutschland
Awarded: 2023 | Category: Publishing – Editorial – Book| Customer/ Project: Stephen King ES Jubiläumsausgabe
Salzburger Landespreis für Marketing, Kommunikation und Design
Ausgezeichnet: 2016 | Kategorie: Corporate Design – Grafik-Design – Messebau & POS | Kunde/ Projekt: Markendesign und Signaletik Adler Resort
Ausgezeichnet: 2016 | Kategorie: Corporate Design – Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Markendesign Wholehearted
Ausgezeichnet: 2016 | Kategorie: Social Media – Grafik-Design – Public Relations – Werbetext | Kunde/ Projekt: Zillerseasons Journal
Ausgezeichnet: 2016 | Kategorie: Corporate Design – Grafik-Design | Projekt: Markendesign Ehart – Die Fischbar
Ausgezeichnet: 2017 | Kategorie: Corporate Design – Grafik-Design – Marketing- und Vertriebskonzepte | Kunde/ Projekt: Markendesign St. Peter Stiftskulinarium
Ausgezeichnet: 2017 | Kategorie: Websites | Kunde/ Projekt: Pixelschickeria Website
Ausgezeichnet: 2017 | Kategorie: Anzeigen – Grafik-Design – Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Der kleine Connaisseur
Ausgezeichnet: 2018 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: biokultur Eröffnungskampagne: Bio in seiner ganzen Vielfalt
Ausgezeichnet: 2018 | Kategorie: Messebau und POS | Kunde/ Projekt: Signaletik für die ZillerSeasons Luxury Hotel Collection
Ausgezeichnet: 2018 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: petrichor Markendesign: Don’t be like the rest of them, darling!
Ausgezeichnet: 2019 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: 95 Grad Markendesign: Volldampf. Voll gut.
Ausgezeichnet: 2019 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Pyramids in Florida Markendesign: Life is better at the lake
Ausgezeichnet: 2019 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Taugl Markendesign zur Regionalentwicklung
Ausgezeichnet: 2019 | Kategorie: Websites | Kunde/ Projekt: petrichor Website: Aus Möglichkeiten Wirklichkeit machen
Ausgezeichnet: 2019 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Vivamayr Broschüren: Raus aus der Komfortzone
Ausgezeichnet: 2019 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: QuasiSolo Konzertdrucksorten: Auftakt der neuen Plakatserie
Ausgezeichnet: 2020 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Goldenes Schiff – Branding für das »Stadt-, Land-, Fluss-Hotel« in Bad Ischl
Ausgezeichnet: 2020 | Kategorie: Messebau und POS – Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: MalisGarten – Signaletik und Menükarten mit Kräuterkraft
Ausgezeichnet: 2020 | Kategorie: Web & Digital | Kunde/ Projekt: 95 Grad – Website
Ausgezeichnet: 2020 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: The Pure Pleasure Journal II – DasPosthotel
Ausgezeichnet: 2021 | Kategorie: Corporate Design – Web & Digital – Messebau und POS | Kunde/ Projekt: Hotel Tauernhof – Mehr Raum für echte Lebensmomente
Ausgezeichnet: 2021 | Kategorie: Web & Digital – Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Kurapotheke Bad Ischl – 200 Jahre Tradition im neuen Brand Design
Ausgezeichnet: 2021 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Il suono di LaSelva – Caffè-Verpackungsdesign
Ausgezeichnet: 2021 | Kategorie: Web & Digital | Kunde/ Projekt: Mondis Immobilien – Website
Ausgezeichnet: 2021 | Kategorie: Werbefotografie | Kunde/ Projekt: Hotel Burg Oberlech – Über Lech. Über dem Alltag. Über den Dingen.
Ausgezeichnet: 2022 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Stephen King ES Jubiläumsausgabe
Ausgezeichnet: 2022 | Kategorie: Web & Digital – Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: MareMare: Steinernes Meer trifft Mittelmeer
Ausgezeichnet: 2022 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Martini Sportswear: Discover Outdoor Moments Together
Ausgezeichnet: 2022 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Legendary Pleasure Hotel Burg Oberlech
Ausgezeichnet: 2023 | Kategorie: Corporate Design – Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Looops: Finde deine Essenz
Ausgezeichnet: 2023 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Günther Tore: Das Tor macht die Garage
Ausgezeichnet: 2023 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Freiraum Scheibbs: Die Kleinstadt der Zukunft
Ausgezeichnet: 2023 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Hotel Weisser Hirsch: Natürlich am See
Ausgezeichnet: 2023 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Hotel Alpina: All together now.
Ausgezeichnet: 2024 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Hotel Neue Post
Ausgezeichnet: 2024 | Kategorie: Web & App – Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Zaunergroup: We create impact through lasting connections
Ausgezeichnet: 2024 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Stephen Kings Friedhof der Kuscheltiere
Ausgezeichnet: 2025 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design – Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Schauspielhaus Salzburg: Spielzeit 2025/2026 „Alles steht auf dem Spiel”
Ausgezeichnet: 2025 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Fabasoft Brand Design
Ausgezeichnet: 2025 | Kategorie: Messebau und POS | Kunde/ Projekt: Signaletik Heilthermen Resort Bad Waltersdorf
Ausgezeichnet: 2025 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Lezz
Ausgezeichnet: 2025 | Kategorie: Grafik-Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Martini Sportswear: Workbook-Serie
Ausgezeichnet: 2025 | Kategorie: Corporate Design | Kunde/ Projekt: Haus Zirngast
reddot design award
Awarded: 2011 | Category: Brands & Communication Design | Customer/ Project: NBC Universal Global Networks Deutschland GmbH, Munich head of marketing Elmar Krick
T.A.I. Werbe Grand Prix
Austrian Industry Award for Tourism Marketing and Communication.
Interne Links
- Here’s how we develop your brand, made simple: Branding
- Welcome to the show – Solid & Bold Cases: Projects
- About Solid & Bold: Studio
- Our Services: Service
- What Sets Us Apart? Our Company Culture: Culture
- Hospitality Branding, by Solid & Bold: Hospitality
- A Glimpse of Our Work: Moods
- The Home Port for Your Brand: Solid Brand Base
- Our Brand Fit Workshop, the Foundation for All Subsequent Brand Activities: Brand Fit Workshop
- Good Reads, Our Expertise, and What Drives Us: News & Stories
- Looking for a job? Say »Hell yeah« or »No«: Careers
- FAQs on branding: FAQ
- Location & Directions: Solid & Bold
- Legal Information: Imprint
- Your data is sacred to us: Privacy Policy
- Solid Terms & Conditions: Terms & Conditions
External Links
Our Partners & Partner Circle
- Gregor Wöckl, Interior Architect: www.studio-woeckl.at
- Michael Königshofer, Photographer: www.koenigshofer.com
- Sebastian Kurz-Thurn-Goldenstein, Programmer: www.uxtollerei.at
- Matthias de Cillia, 3D-Artist/ Motion Designer: www.decillia.com
- Philipp Waldhauser, Cinematography and Film Production: www.philippwaldhauser.com
- Design Austria: www.designaustria.at
- INIT — Initiative Corporate Design: www.init-cd.at
- Österreichische Hoteliervereinigung (Partner): www.oehv.at
Social Media
- LinkedIn: www.at.linkedin.com/company/solidbold
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/solidandbold
- Behance: www.behance.net/solidandbold
Background, Location, Region
- Salzburg: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salzburg
- Salzburg City: www.stadt-salzburg.at/home
- Tourism Salzburg: www.salzburg.info/de