Comments on: Auckland Council logo competition

By: admin

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:28:31 +0000

The Auckland Council logo comp debate goes on: http://www.stoppress.co.nz/news/2010/03/brand-by-lottery/comment-page-1/#comment-3024

By: John

John — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:35:11 +0000

Whatever your views on the Auckland logo competition are, this Blog post is well worth a read (and well done Tim): http://www.pixelace.com/2010/aucklands-logo-competition-dilemna/

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:58:02 +0000

Hello John. I just wanted to tell you thanks for commenting on my post at Design Assembly. Yes of course it is all of those other things designers keep going on about, but you seemed to be one of the only people who pulled in the point I was trying to make about the competition being, on one hand, an honest way to involve and hear from the community. (In fact a great way to engage them on the subject of design.)
Not to say this because you ‘agreed’ with me, but keep up the great work. I look forward to hearing/seeing more about everythingdesign from a distance.

By: Nick Riley

Nick Riley — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:07:34 +0000

Very interesting discussion and comments here, I do believe that this has been a nice catalyst for DINZ to finally speak out over a graphic design issue, which they don’t seem to do all that often.

As the sole representitive of the graphic design industry in NZ I think it’s very much in all of our best interests to see them sticking their nose into issues like this as much as possible. I’m quite sure that a ridiculous competition like this would never occur here in Sydney, and rightfully so, thanks to the education and discussion cultivated by AGDA.

We can only hope that one day NZ has it’s own version of AGDA – a specialised graphic design association, as no doubt, had such an organisation already existed, an institution such as the Auckland City Council would have already been educated enough to know that a design competition for such a high profile identity is definitely not in their own, or the Auckland public’s best interests.

By: John

John — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:46:01 +0000

Welcome and thanks Sean, just worth noting though that it’s a comp to design a logo for the Council NOT the city.

By: Sean Kerrigan

Sean Kerrigan — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:14:22 +0000

I’d be very surprised if we actually got a true emblem for the super city. Maybe a picture of bureaucrats with arms full of paper rolls and Faxs riding bicycles along cycle lanes on car packed motorways… or a man with a axe standing arms folded beside a felled tree on One Tree Hill.

What a farce this compo is, have you seen what the prize is?
Bunch of celebs and celeb wannabes getting pictures from kids to define the bureaucratic nightmare the council will end up being. Fern leafs and harbour bridges anyone?

By: Meena Kadri

Meena Kadri — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:52:16 +0000

er Clem… as paying members we (my former workplace) emailed DINZ with constructive feedback and questions on a couple of issues last year and got no reply. They may consider themselves the voice of New Zealand designers but are they capable of talking and listening at the same time? … therein conversations are made.

By: John

John — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:38:15 +0000

Thanks for your follow up note Moi@moi.com.

Better place for comment would be:

http://www.minimalsites.com/?page=1

http://siteinspire.net/showcase/all/60

http://www.formfiftyfive.com/2010/01/11022/

By: Clem Devine

Clem Devine — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:28:41 +0000

I think it’s fantastic we’re debating this issue. No matter what view you have, voices are being heard. John you’re right that The Designers Institute hasn’t been as visible as some members would have liked, but I appreciate their rebuttal and press release/media appearance on this topic. Also if you or any other members have any suggestions or further points of discussion I’m sure the Board, and Cathy would like to hear them. Its up us as members of the Designers Institute to contribute to the ongoing conversation about design. Ace.

By: John

John — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:47:12 +0000

Thanks for the post Grant. I hope you saw from my post that my primary points of concern were the tone and factual accuracy of the DINZ response, and whether it should be an issue of priority for DINZ. Yes some award winning companies may well be on the Council, but they’re not the ones front-footing the issue or claiming place branding expertise. DINZ, after an extended period of fairly low visibility on graphic design matters of note, is all over the media about the pros and cons of a public design competition. Do you really feel this is the most important issue DINZ should be making a splash over? I certainly don’t – when I read their initial press release it left me feeling the industry had no real self belief. If other people got that impression as well, then we (the design industry) have just shot ourselves in the foot.