gardyneHOLT

Auckland Super City logo competition

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Vicki McKay on Radio New Zealand National this morning at 5.40am got me off to a really good start. She was chortling about the new logo and how people got paid squillions for putting a few squiggles on paper. "I could do that" she said. Well actually no she couldn't, but it is a widely held public perception, 'anyone can do design'.To create a logo that is successful and workable takes talent, training and experience. It also takes process, and this isn't it. As recently evidenced by the Queen's Wharf fiasco.

Sadly this is another instance where politics gets in the way of the best result for the long term working objectives of the new Auckland Council. The ATA have shown a total lack of understanding and respect for our visual communications industry. The considered and professional use of our highly skilled graphic designers has been recognised by enlightened business and public bodies as a prime success motivator for their activities. Good graphic design comes about through a logical, considered process and the countries best practitioners are well qualified and equal to the best in their profession globally.

Practically, logos need to be able to work across a wide range of media, and need clear guidelines. Yet, a panel of celebs, many of whom I know and respect in their various fields of practice, are being asked to judge the results of a wide open public competition into which no self respecting designer would enter. Why would you give away your most valuable asset, your creativity and experience, through a faulted process with little chance of success and no control or ownership of your ideas?

An effective logo comes about through a brief. Effectively there is none in this case. "We're looking for a logo that's compelling, elegant and compact", any logo brief could say that. The design process normally goes from a briefing stage, through research and development of initial ideas, presentation to and feedback from the client, through to design development and approval of the logo. This agreed logo is then developed and applied and guidelines for it's consistent ongoing use are developed.

Not here, we'll take your logo idea and that is likely it. It's ours. It's the Council's property and the designer has waved goodbye to all their rights of ownership. For what? The glory of designing what will become "one of the most widely recognisable and widely used logos in the country", a trophy and a prize package of the 'best of Auckland' attractions to the value of $10,000. How insulting. As the old saying goes "you pay peanuts, you get monkeys".

If the council is expecting graphic design to be the product of a public competition from folk from all walks of life, then why not apply the same concept to other public works? Lets have the public design carparks and road networks etc? Could it be because those works need experienced, professional, trained experts? Just like graphic design actually.

Source: Auckland Super City logo competition

IESE

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Institute of Earth Science and Engineering

Source: IESE

Timbakote

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Source: Timbakote

New Zealand Universities

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Source: New Zealand Universities

Next Extended Warranty

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Source: Next Extended Warranty

Hulme Supercar

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Source: Hulme Supercar

New Zealand China Trade Association

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Source: New Zealand China Trade Association

Dusit Princess Dubai

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Source: Dusit Princess Dubai

Zespri Kiwifruit SEA

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Source: Zespri Kiwifruit SEA

Media Mingle

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Source: Media Mingle

Paint +

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Source: Paint +

Mount Dottrel Pinot Noir 2007 wins top trophy in London

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Congratulations to Mitre Rocks Vineyard, who just won the trophy for best Pinot Noir at the 2009 London International Wine and Spirit Competition, with their Mount Dottrel Pinot Noir 2007. We worked on the label along with Bubble Design, and hopefully captured some of the style of the wine in its look and feel.

Source: Mount Dottrel Pinot Noir 2007 wins top trophy in London

The Titirangi Theatre 24 Hour Challenge

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +1300

The 24 Hour Theatre Challenge at Titirangi Theatre is a creative pressure-cooker, which I enjoyed taking part in recently. A tight deadline creates brilliant sparks of raw energy - but my big learning was that for depth and lasting impact you really need to spend some time. I'm now in rehearsals for 'The Sleeper' which, with a good script and a lot of careful work, I think is going to be a really nice piece of theatre. Not me in particular - I'm just a little slice of ham sandwiched in the middle - but the show in general is going to be a great night out.

Source: The Titirangi Theatre 24 Hour Challenge

Hi-Q

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Source: Hi-Q

Peppercan

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Source: Peppercan