the gas project

Gramercy is helping put the love back into Wellington suburb Berhampore. Fresh-baked breads and pastries made on site, twinned with Supreme coffee have made this bakery one of Wellington’s best kept secrets – until now we guess. Gas worked with the owner on branding and website and provided advice on shop design. A big thanks to Joe Kelly for the web photography, Jon Wall for the web build and Watermark Signs for the nice, shiny door graphics. Almost everyone involved works only a couple of Ks from the store making this a real local effort. Which is just the way we like it.

We’ve recently completed fitout and brand design for a new chippy in Herne Bay in Auckland. Say hello to ‘FishSmith’, a fresh take on the classic Fish & Chip shop. Working with client Mr Scott Brown, the look was based on the age of the building, with a simple tile and wood interior and mural by Mr Blair Sayer of Sydney. The logo uses an etched bowler hat and two ‘kissing fish’ moustache, although the owner remains resolutely un-tached.

Huckle & Co are a newly opened fish and chip shop in Seatoun. Gas worked with the owner Dave Thurlow (ex Polo) on the interior design, brand and signage. Named after a Richard Scarry character (the clients nickname as a child), we looked to keep things bright and fun. It seems the locals like what Dave does as often there are lines out the door. Try the fish. Heck, try everything. Just get there early on a Friday.

After years (really) in the joiners being refitted, the new Gas southern office had its unofficial opening in January. We ditched the shag pile and dodgy 70s mock wood to create a space for relaxing (and working). Actually we’re still trying to get the wifi up. Best to phone first.

Best Ugly is a bagel factory and cafe in central Auckland. Gas worked with Chef Al Brown to develop the identity, print, signage and web materials to promote and package the best (and hand-rolled – hence ugly) bagels around. Serve toasted.

A work in progress for the guys at Two Fish Cafe in Waipu. Thanks to the talented Lisa Moes for the nice line work.

A logo for the band 3 Shots to the Head, with lead singer Dave Griffiths from Mister D Dining in Napier.

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.