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  2. GSM Blog – read more about print on paper. (Page 7)

Paper Packaging – Naturally

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In the battle against single-use plastics in packaging, board and paper play vital roles as renewable and highly recyclable alternatives. GSM talks with Kellie Northwood, from Two Sides, about decisions made around the design, production and disposal of packaging. A natural, renewable & highly recyclable material The environmental impact of discarded, man-made materials has reached critical levels. Many of these materials can last in the environment for hundreds, up to thousands of years. The existence of this waste can harm Earth’s flora and fauna. There is a greater need, now more than ever, for packaging to be sustainable throughout the...

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Stappa Wines – Plain Black & White

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stappa black & white

When it comes to consumer brands - Alcohol is one of the more congested. With so many choices, it can be challenging for a new brand to stand out. But one recently launched brand caught our attention here at GSM. Not because it was loud or brash - but quite the opposite. Sometimes things are best left in plain black & white. If we go back to the 1990s and earlier—it was reasonably common to see designers working in one or two colours on print projects. This decision was usually driven by cost—black & white printing was cheaper than full-process...

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Flavours to Savour

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recipe book

From both a design and print production perspective - a large recipe book can be quite an undertaking. GSM takes a look at one recently completed example that also doubled as a keepsake and coffee table book. Falcon Brae Villa & Stonefly Lodge Falcon Brae Villa and neighbouring Stonefly Lodge are nestled between three of New Zealand’s most popular national parks at the top of the South Island. Providing exclusive luxury accommodation to discerning guests, they offer the ultimate New Zealand experience. A Recipe Book to Promote the Lodge Owners, Kate & John Kerr, along with executive chef, Michael McMeeken,...

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The Message Stick – First Nations

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first nations message stick

Welcome to the first instalment of our new regular feature, The Message Stick, in the Australian version of GSM. For tens of thousands of years, First Nations peoples commonly used message sticks as a way of communicating between different groups. First Nations people painted, carved or burned messages onto a stick, using symbols and imagery. They then transported the message stick by hand across long distances to the intended recipients. For GSM, the concept of The Message Stick is that the stick will be passed from speaker to speaker to continue our discussion about First Nations culture and traditional knowledge. These...

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Rākau Kōrero – Mātaranga Māori

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mataranga maori

GSM talks to Dr Johnson Witehira (Tamahaki, Ngāti Hinekura, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tū-te-Auru) about the principles of design from a traditional Mātaranga Māori perspective. Our nation is moving towards a more inclusive future, with an increasing appreciation of the uniqueness and the value of Māoritanga (Māori culture) to our country. Recently, this has extended into the teaching of visual communication. In fact, for students beginning studies in a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) course, there is now a requirement to understand Mātaranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge) in relation to the Principles of Design. This is a significant step forward. In this article,...

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First Portfolio

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portfolio

If you are a Vis-Com student with your sights set on a career as a graphic designer, at some point, you'll need to create a portfolio to showcase your skills to potential employers. In this article, we take a look at some basics to help get things moving in the right direction. First, let’s get this on the table—creating a portfolio can be challenging. So if you are feeling this way, you are certainly not alone. Aside from the high stakes of ‘getting it right’, this task can be difficult because you are curating your own work. This involves critiquing...

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National Design Awards Class of ’22

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award winner

2022 delivered another great crop of entries into the National Design Awards in both Australia and New Zealand. GSM takes a look at a couple of print -based projects that took top-honours. AGDA & Best Awards The Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) Design Awards and the BEST Awards (hosted by the Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)) are two annual events recognising excellence in our industry. For readers unfamiliar with these awards, entries into both are open to studios on either side of the Tasman. Kiwi studios can enter AGDA, Australian designers can enter the BEST awards. Both AGDA and...

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Quick Chat Print – Provincial Print

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Operating from two different sites in the upper region of New Zealand's South Island, Matt Costello talks to GSM about the unique printing operation he has built, and the pros and cons of being 'provincial'. Blenheim sits amongst the sunny wine growing region of Marlborough on the upper east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. A town of approximately 30,000–the local economy largely comprises of horticulture, wine making and farming. The nearby Lake Grassmere salt works is the only operation of its kind in NZ. It supplies approximately 50% of the nation’s requirements. An hour and twenty minutes drive north-west...

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For The People

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for the people

In this installment of Inspiration - GSM gets up close and personal with contemporary creative influencers 'For The People' - and ask the question...How did you get here? Creative agency For The People (FTP) was founded just eight short years ago in Sydney. The team has since grown—thanks in part to several high-profile projects (including the branding for Ball & Doggett), as well as winning some notable design awards. They now have a presence on both sides of the Tasman, and are one of the studios to watch. But, what has the journey been like reaching this point? GSM asked...

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2022 Student Design Contest + 2023 Calendar

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student design contest calendar

For 2022, the Student Design Calendar Contest was opened up to entries from both sides of the Tasman. The result was a fantastic range of dynamic submissions - and two great calendars. Here are the winning entries... For many years the BJ Ball Student Design Content was a mainstay for tertiary students studying visual communication in New Zealand. Not only was it an exercise in offering the students some real-life experience in the world of commercial print but the students also gained recognition as a Calendar Contest winner. After taking a brief hiatus in the 2010s, BJ Ball reintroduced the...

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