the gas project

While we sometimes joke about working for beer, in this case we actually (well, mostly) did. Barking Spider is a small South Island-based craft brewery. Old circus posters were the inspiration. Along with a couple of those 7% IPAs.

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.

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.

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.

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.