We’ve worked with the MacDiarmid Institute for a few years now, and am continually blown away by their discoveries in materials science. They are at the forefront in investigating cleaner and better ways for new materials to basically save the planet (think solar cell and waste water tech) as well as lessening our dependance on fossil fuels. In 2021 we created posters for a series of lectures that happened around the country, informing people in the provinces about the cutting edge of zero carbon tech and sustainable resource us – taking the message to the people.
We’ve done a heap of identities for baristas, but not too many for barristers. This is a freshly minted logo and letterpress cards (by Magpie Press) for Sebastian Bisley, Barrister. The client’s love for brutalist architecture (heavy card stock and fonts) and high end mountain bikes (a bar – get it?) was the starting point for this non-traditional law identity.
Working on this book bought with it a series of emotions. While a great project to work on, with an enthusiastic client, there were moments of sadness looking at some of the businesses in here, and their operators, who have passed. People who changed the way we eat, who led Auckland (and NZ) out of the food wasteland that was dining in the 60s and early 70s. On the upside, there’s a focus in this book on the strong women, who worked in hospo through the 80s and 90s when kitchen life was real hard (it still is), but who also partied hard. Some good friends are featured in here, with period photography, interviews and some wonderful recipe illustrations by Kohl Tyler-Dunshea. Available now through the Lazy Susan website. Eat up.
One of the things about living in a small community is that often, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself, with the help of the rest of the village. That was the case with developing a website for Ophir, the small Central Otago settlement we call home. While the website was designed and built by Gas, large parts were researched and written by a number of folks in the village, with images, both historic and modern day, coming out of albums from others. It’s part of an ongoing project to document the town’s history and collect stories from some of the older residents before their memories become like us after a couple of jugs of pinot at Blacks pub.
When we first moved to Otago, friends would ask “why would you want to move there?”. Well, this site just might answer that question. Hit this link to visit the site, or hit the trail to visit the town.
This is fourth book in the kōrero series from Massey press of ‘picture books for grownups’, we’ve designed. Gas worked with the very talented poet Lynley Edmeades and artist Saskia Leek to produce, what is to date, certainly the most colourful book so far. Available from good independent bookstores, or through the Massey Press website. Miraculous.
Mister D Dining in Napier asked us to design some labels for their new range (of frankly, delicious) dressings. Taking our cues from the interior (which we also originally helped with), the oils come in three flavours / colour ways and are available from the restaurant.
Al Brown and some of his winemaking friends joined forces to launch Tipping Point, a wine brand that not only supports charities close to Brown’s heart but also celebrate the regions. Constellation Wines approached us to help brand and label the new series. It’s always a pleasure working with Al, and being able to colab on a wine label was almost a dream brief. Parts of the design process, and most of the winemaking process was documented on video, here. Now available in supermarkets and wine stores, sales have exceeded expectations – always a good result. The wine tastes pretty good too.
Fishboy is / was the brainchild of Scott from FishSmith, a next-level F&C joint in Herne Bay we branded a few years ago. Fishboy shone brightly but recently sold, we’re not sure if the new owners will stay with the identity we put together. Our involvement included designing the identity, signage and website (built by HiHo).
Anyway, here’s the way it came together. Never got a chance to try their fish tacos either…
Marlborough is brilliant wine growing country – it’s surrounding mountains mean westerly clouds are parted to imbue the region with more sunshine hours than almost anywhere else in Aotearoa. That parting of clouds inspired the name of Tiraki, a small winey created by a new generation of an old farming family. Gas Project were tasked with creation of a brand identity and label that had one foot in the tradition of wine, and one firmly in the new world, with sensitivities around environment and tangata whenua, while also being a little adventurous. Inspired by myth, the work of artist Euan McLeod and comic books, Reuben Smith worked up the illustration while we focussed on the brand and typography (and a little wine research). Sometime we love our jobs.
Oamaru was without a cinema for two years before new owners took the challenge on to restore the old space and upgrade it with state of the art seating, sound system and projection equipment. We were tasked with developing an identity that would be distinctive and carry some Art Deco vibes to tie in with the interior. The idea of an owl seemed appropriate – it sits in the dark but sees everything. We had a hoot working on this one.
