Clarity first.
Then visibility.
by fair means is a strategy and design agency rooted in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. We work with people and organisations who want to make a difference – through thoughtful advice, thinking things through together and creative design.
We combine strategy and design with a values-led, holistic approach. Because good communication needs a sense of direction: a clear stance, a shared understanding and a course you can rely on.
The result: strategies, campaigns and design that show what you stand for and what matters to you.
The crux
You know that moment when something just doesn’t fit any more?
> Your website still describes the organisation you were three years ago.
> You know what you do, but not what sets you apart.
> Every time you explain what you do, it comes out slightly differently.
> You’re producing a lot, but you don’t know what’s actually getting through.
> You can tell something’s missing, but not what.
We call it the crux. In climbing, it’s the point where you pause and rethink your route. Communication works the same way: uncomfortable, but exactly the right moment.
That’s exactly where we come in.
Sound familiar? In a free intro call we’ll work out together what’s behind it.
What we do
Three focus areas. One path.
The three focus areas build on one another, and you can start wherever you are. Implementation has the most impact when it rests on a clear position.
01 Positioning
What does your work stand for, what does it achieve, and who should it reach?
We create strategic clarity and a clear sense of what your work is about – the foundation for everything else. So you can make well-founded decisions and tell people clearly what you do and why.
02 Communication strategy
How do you get your message across to the people who matter?
You get a plan with messages, channels and formats that suits your resources and your day-to-day work – and works in practice, not just on paper.
03 Implementation
How do you turn that into a presence that lasts?
Corporate design, website, print or campaign material: we either do it for you or build templates and train you to carry on yourselves.
Getting started
Not sure where to start? Start here.
The Compass Session is where we start. In 90 minutes we work out together where you are and where you want to go – before anything gets underway. We get to know you and your work without you having to commit to a big project. The result is a shared understanding and a way forward you help to shape.
Afterwards you’ll get a short summary with insights, a recommendation and next steps. Whether you carry on with us or on your own is entirely up to you.
€300 · online or with us in Bad Tölz
Projects
What we’ve made so far.
We work with people, organisations and businesses working towards positive change – big or small, local or national. We’re selective about the projects we take on. Here’s a look at our work.
Who we work with
How we work
With you, not just for you.
You’re the expert on your cause; we’re the experts on getting there.
We listen first, ask questions and involve you at every key step.
The result is something that fits you – and that you can take forward yourself.
Who we are
Stephanie and Max
There are two of us, and we bring strategy and design together. We’re based in Bad Tölz, and the nearest mountain is ten minutes away by bike. “by fair means” is a mountaineering term: reaching the top under your own steam, deliberately and without shortcuts.
We bring what the mountains have taught us to our work: thorough preparation, an honest look at the resources you have, stamina for long projects and humility towards systems bigger than us. For you, that means we’ll always tell you honestly what’s possible.
Let’s talk
Tell us what you’re working on and what you’d like to change. In the intro call we listen first, then see together whether we’re a good fit and what a sensible next step would be. 30 minutes, free, no strings attached.
After booking, we’ll send you a few questions to help you prepare (about 10 minutes). That way we can spend the half hour talking, not covering the basics.
Just want to follow along for now?
→ Newsletter · Instagram
Positioning, communication strategy and design
Office:
Jungmayrplatz 11
83646 Bad Tölz
+49 176 72 98 90 62
info@byfairmeans.net
Newsletter – every now and then, never too often.
© 2026 by fair means GbR