the gas project

We’re chuffed to announce a new and more formalized collaboration with Charlie of Nott Architects. Called Two Right Group, it’s a simple way for us to showcase our combined design talents. We first met Charlie Nott when starting concept work for Depot Oyster Bar, and have since become good friends. He shares a passion for great design, good wine, tasty food and craft beer. And fly fishing. But where our passion for trout is, for the moment, spent dreaming of getting some river time (and lessons), Charlie is a bit of a gun. Too bloody right.

Call it a dream brief. A group of young, (very) smart and talented people get together and decide to create a power company to take on the big boys by selling electricity in a completely new way. Then call it ‘Flick‘. Gas developed the brand strategy, created the identity and helped with rollout of stationery, T shirts and environmental graphics in their new offices. Good folks and clever flickers.

It was one of those projects that if you knew what was actually involved, you may not have said ‘yes’. The talented Ms Hunter from Transmit approached Gas to help create projections onto Wellington’s Carillon and the old Dominion Museum as part of the commemorations for WWI. How hard could it be?

See a small film here (also by Transmit) on the show. Big thanks to Ngataiharuru Taepa, Michel Tuffery, Laurence Aberhart, Bill Hammond, Component, Blair Sayer, Lisa Moes, Sarah, Daria Malesic, Dilys Grant (great client), the awesome guys from Storybox and Spyglass. Glad we said ‘yes’, and one to remember.

The Gas office has recently taken delivery of a frame by Dario Pegoretti. More soon of the final build, but in the meantime we just keep staring at the wonderful welds and paint. And yes, we are that sad.

We’re chuffed and stoked to have won (with Charlie Nott) an architectural award and colour award for Monica Loves. Details here if you’d like to find out more.

The regions deserve more love. While there’s a new bar opening in Auckland every week (and one closing down), Napier hasn’t seen a lot of action. That was until December when a new kid on the block opened (and created by) the good folk at Mister D on Tennyson St. Monica Loves is a grown-up sort of place for people who’ve travelled and love travelling. The name and interior were inspired by a graffiti wall in Verona, near the Romeo and Juliet balcony. As well as branding and graphics, Gas also worked on the interior design and found there’s no shortage of talent in ‘the Bay’. Another great reason to visit.

Sometimes you just get lucky. We’ve been lucky to work with some great clients – business owners with drive, vision, talent and humor. But to that Al Brown adds generosity. Last year we worked together on a book celebrating the Auckland restaurant Depot, published by Random house. Al’s one of those clients who pushes you to do your absolute best and he’s built a great team around him who share his vision for hospitality in NZ. We’re stoked to have worked on the restaurant, t shirts and now a book for Depot. Our tip: if you eat there sit at the back bench watching the kitchen with a glass of Duncan’s pinot noir. Order the oysters and the lamb ribs. The Depot book is out now and is available from all good bookshops or here.

We think the best compliment one designer can pay another is to say ‘I wish I’d done that’. When we look at the work coming from House Industries in the States, it’s something we say a lot. Not only do they produce some of the nicest fonts around, but they do a mean line in shirts and t-shirts. Respect

Best Ugly bagels have just added a new outlet in Newmarket, Auckland. As the business expands they wanted to formalize their packaging and asked Gas to help. Putting up to 4 stickers on retail bags was becoming very time consuming, so we designed a series of preprinted bags using existing imagery – all with the theme of ‘best ugly’. Best toasted.

Beequest make some of the best tasting honey this side of Pooh’s larder. Gas were approached to create an identity and labels for this small producer. Job done! A big thanks once again to illustrator Lisa Moes for making us look good.