the gas project

You’d have to be mad to publish a book these days. At least that’s what we were told when working on the follow up book to Selling the Dream. But as people who are mad about design,  author Peter Alsop and Gas Project decided to work together again on Promoting Prosperity – the history of New Zealand advertising art. It charts the development of New Zealand’s adverting art from the very early days up until the 1960s, when TV and photography took the place of artists, painters and signwriters. Set for release in October 2013, the book contains the work of a great many unsung heroes in the art and design field, as well as 11 essays from some of our best media commentators. At nearly 440 pages, 3kg and a retail price of $79.95, it should win the Best Bang for Buck Award at next year’s Book Awards – if such a category existed of course. To see more of the book and pre-order a copy to get a 10% discount, head to the books dedicated website here.

We live in a sort of dairy paradise (unless you look at our rivers, but that’s a whole ‘nother story), so why has it taken so long to get good butter here? Its like buses. You wait for ages, and then all of a sudden, along come two. Well this one has well been worth waiting for. Al Brown and Whitestone Cheese teamed up some time ago to produce the freshest, tastiest and yellowist butter a toast-loving kiwi could wish for. Yep, it even tastes good on that dreadful gluten-free stuff. Gas were lucky to join early prototype-tasting sessions and for the last two weeks have been rediscovering what bread should taste like. Oh yeah, and we also designed the packaging. Tip-o-the-hat to Andy Warhol for some Pop Art-style inspiration. Available in three ‘flavours’ from selected supermarkets, Farrow Fresh in Auckland and Best Ugly bagels (more about that later), its yellow goodness. Go to the spreadthelove site to learn more.

For the last three years we’ve been doing T-shirts for Mount Riley Wines to celebrate the end of vintage. This year we once again teamed up with illustrator Blair Sayer and knocked another one off. Just in time for the 60th anniversary of another climbers remarkable effort.

The series Mad Men owes a lot to these guys. Iconic designers George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames and Jens Risom. Playboy Magazine, July 1961.

In 2012 Al brown published his 3rd solo book, Get Fresh. Based on the TV show of the same name, the book enabled Al to go deeper on each region and provider. With profiles on a number of talented growers and suppliers, the book also carries 3 recipes per region and also comes with a CD of music by up-and-coming New Zealand artists. Gas worked with Al from day one on the design and relished another opportunity to work with images from the talented Peter Young from Fisheye Films and Kieran Scott from, well, Kieran Scott. Get it while it’s fresh.

In 2012 a group of friends bought an 100 year old pub in Matakana, not a job for the faint-hearted. Never one to turn down a brew, Gas worked with the new owners on brand, signage, menus and website, referencing old photographs from the area as well as ‘dandys’ – Victorian images of people with animal heads. A toolbox of logos makes sure everything at the Matakana Village Pub stays as fresh as the snapper on offer. 

Random thought: if Matakana is a little too far for you, and you’re interested in home brewing, then have a look at https://52brews.com/how-to-make-a-kegerator They seem like nice chaps.

Al Brown is an astoundingly creative and busy guy, and quite often we’re running trying to keep pace. We did manage to find some space to work on some new t shirt designs though, in time for the great New Zealand summer. Available from Al’s website.

Each year some friends throw a 2 day music festival by the sea at a place called Tora, on the Wairarapa Coast. This year we waded in with some design help.

Any trip to Napier is not complete without a stop in Ongaonga and the gallery of Perry Davies. Perry is an amazing character and talented artist. Called ‘The BirdHouse Guy’, Perry’s been making birdhouses from found material since dinosaurs started getting a little downy. Worth a stop. Here’s one he made earlier that has recently joined a couple of others at home. Tweet?

A little something we whipped up for a talented group of Wellington’s best photographers. Concept by Gas, shot by Dean Zillwood, retouching by Chris Clifton, inspiration by too much coffee.