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An Open Letter to the Lord Mayor of Melbourne
24th July, 2009
Update: Thankyou! Comments are now closed. Anonymous posts have been removed.
The City of Melbourne’s rebranding has attracted a veritable storm of controversy, not least because of Lord Mayor Robert Doyle’s inaccurate and unfortunate comments about Victoria’s design industry. Below is an open letter to Robert Doyle, written by Andrew Ashton and David Pidgeon from AGDA Victoria, asking him to outwardly support and promote Victoria’s design industry. We urge those of you who are interested in supporting the industry to take the time to leave your name, studio name and location in the comments section below. We will then pass on the collated signatures and comments to Robert Doyle, Lynne Kosky and John Brumby.
24 July 2008
Th Right Hon the Lord Mayor of Melbourne,
Councillor Robert Doyle
City of Melbourne PO Box 1603 Melbourne VIC 3001
Dear Lord Mayor,
We are writing to you to express our concern over the recent release of the new brand mark for the City of Melbourne. It is of concern to us that the City of Melbourne seems to have ignored the stated Victorian Government policy of supporting and promoting the State’s design industry.
Mr Doyle, the pool of communication and brand design talent in Melbourne is unrivalled in this country and is arguably the most diverse in South East Asia. It is this fact that leaves us dismayed when trying to understand why you chose to appoint a Sydney based / American owned firm to complete a task that could have been just as successfully completed by any number of Victoria’s internationally acclaimed graphic designers.
As for the issue of the “daggy” incumbent design, we would have rather hoped that your significant experience in politics would have taught you to more deeply consider the implication of any public comment. It was frankly insulting to the original creator of the incumbent City of Melbourne brand Mr Richard Henderson of FHA Image Design. We all acknowledge that time waits for few styles and aesthetics but Mr Henderson’s work served the City very well for twenty years and such a glib, final assessment of this legacy does no marketing or design professionals any favours. It tends only to decrease the sophistication of community discussion around communication and brand design.
We urge you to consider and support fellow Victorian designers as you will find that many of these professionals are in their own right symbols to the world of “how cool, intellectual, CREATIVE and urbane” Victorians are.
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Ashton – Studio Pip and Co. Balaclava, Victoria / AGDA and AGI Member AGDA Victoria Treasurer
David Pidgeon – Design by Pidgeon East St KIlda, Victoria / AGDA and AGI Member AGDA Victoria Councillor
Download a copy of the official letter here.
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Ziegler Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
PeptoLab
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Southsouthwest
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
J C Designs
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Eye to Eye Graphic Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Seesaw Design
North Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
clear design
fitzroy
Posted by Matthew McCarthy on 24th July 2009
Dusty Cowgirl Designs Pty Ltd
Victoria
(and proud of it)
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Floate Design Partners
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Seesaw Design
North Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
DTDigital
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Studio Round
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Hawthorn East
Posted by on 24th July 2009
ARD
Prahran, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
The City is the big losers here!!!!
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Marchese Design
Canterbury, Victoria
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Creative Junction
Nunawading, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Seesaw Design
North Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Savanah Design
Fitzroy
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Creative Junction
Nunawading, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Reactive
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Derek Carroll
Cassie Gill
Tim Wood
Rachel O'Brien
Storm Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Studio Round
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
ARD, Prahran
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Wasabi Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Maddison Designs
Wantirna
Posted by on 24th July 2009
ARD
Prahran, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Taj Alexander Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
BMD graphic design
ADELAIDE, SA
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Powerhouse Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
August
Richmond
Posted by on 24th July 2009
soula mantalvanos
soula.com.au
collingwood
Posted by on 24th July 2009
ARD
Prahran, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
burnstudio
Sydney
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Johanna Villani Design
Thornbury VICTORIA
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Motherbird
South Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
student - Monash University, (graphic design)
Caulfield
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Nazia & Wasif Art Studio
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Russell Nelson Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Creative Head
Thornbury
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Posted by on 24th July 2009
The best agency for the client won the pitch and now the job is out there. People are now up in arms about why they didn't get the job because they're from Melbourne. Time to move on.
When we don't win a pitch it's disappointing but we move on. This needs to happen here. Writing letters to the Major with the message of 'why didn't we get the job' is childish and futile.
Finally, Landor are a 'branding' agency rather than a 'cool' design shop, which is what Melbourne is full of. Those small agencies do amazing work, don't get me wrong, but branding belongs in the the hands of an agency who can handle a brand, rather than a nice stationery set and a logo.
The whole crowd-sourcing debate is also an embarrassment. People are upset at the cost of the job. It's what it costs, please get over it. The amount of work involved in creating a brand is not the same as creating a logo, a blank piece of paper (letterhead), and a business card. It's more than that and a lot of man-hours go into it.
So, to the Melbourne studios who are upset about this, I suggest you try harder next time and stop bullying the Major and branding agency who were awarded the job.
Design is of course a subjective topic and good design should always be polarising. That's the case here.
May I also remind everybody that Hans Hulsbosch just did Qantas and Woolworths. He's Dutch. Are we going to start getting upset about that? Come on!
Posted by on 24th July 2009
K.W.Doggett Fine Paper
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Design Victoria
Victoria
Posted by on 24th July 2009
AndAssociates
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Melbourne Designer
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Just like we feel when all the BIG jobs go out of Canberra.
Melbourne (Vic) has great Designers
Sydney (NSW) has great Designers
All States have great Designers
What is the formulae maintaining Client loyalty?
Cheers Bill
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Gozer Studio
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Johanna Villani Design
Thornbury Victoria
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Gozer Studio
MELBOURNE
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Sweet Design
St Kilda
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Streamer
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Designgrant
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Artifact Design Group
Beaumaris
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Collingwood
Posted by on 24th July 2009
If your head office is in the US you are not an Australian company, just an office in Australia. Which is okay, just don't claim that it is an Australian owned Company.
We are not upset about missing out on the job, you moron. (Did it ever occur to you that quite possibly Melbourne was never considered to be a part of the tender process???) Melbourne is more speaking up about the fact that a Melbourne-based Brand agency was never considered for the rebrand of the logo, cause apparently we don't have high level of Brand agencies here.. How absurd! Take a look at the list of Agencies leaving their names and comments. They are quite recognisable and very reputable don't you think? Also look at their websites for their client list.. Plenty of experience there, wouldn't you agree?
There are alot of high level Brand agencies in Melbourne and not the ‘cool’ design shops, as you think.
Stop trying to back yourself and give us a little bit more credit.
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Lemonade
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Lemonade
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Magnetic Design
Collingwood
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Johanna Villani Design
Thornbury Victoria
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Johanna Villani Design
Thornbury Victoria
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Johanna Villani Design
Thornbury Victoria
Posted by on 24th July 2009
We support you @ Artisan
Thanks
Michael Broderick
Diana Lagioia
Kevin Hall
James Champion
Joe Hura
Tara Broderick
Karen McGregor
Charlie Krowitz
Spencer Cook
Elke Braithwaite
Lawrence Akers
Erica Keppel
Jenna Lewis
Mathew Hehir
Debbie Younger
Ally Buchanan
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Cr Doyle, by saying this, exposes himself as not only ignorant of the local design industry – an industry with an enviable international reputation – but also exposes the kind of cultural inferiority complex that infects many of the decision-makers in this country. If he had bothered to look in either the phone book, or visited the Australian Graphic Design Association website, he would have found hundreds of capable, practicing branding designers that actually specialize in this kind of work.
I’m just glad Cr Doyle’s not in state politics anymore, or we could be sending even more money overseas for projects best handled by our own, internationally acclaimed local talent.
Alex Tyers
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Posted by on 24th July 2009
The White Studio
Collingwood
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Freelancer and RMIT The Works (hons)
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
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Oomf Recruitment
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Alba Design
Prahran
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Shock and Gaw
East St. Kilda
Posted by on 24th July 2009
::maybe
melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Gazal
Collingwood
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Involve Group
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
InfoPak
Fairfield
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Haircuts & T-Shirts
Orange, NSW
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Soundwave Festival
Melbourne, Victoria
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Lui & Sons
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Lyndon Patrick
Oliver Ma
Aileen Bayaca
Visual Communication Design Students @
Mt Waverley Secondary College
Melbourne, Victoria
Encouraging others to find work outside of Aus "By the best" will kill our futures.
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Major Design
Frankston South
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Not sure why you felt the need to defend yourself. It's not about you.
It IS an issue that the agency wasn't from Melbourne, if the reasoning behind the decision is that the client believes that no designer in Melbourne is worthy or capable of doing the work.
We all know that the best agency for the job doesn't always get the job. Its how it goes, we all get it.
The issue that I have with our Mayor (or Major as you call them in Sydney) is that he has no belief in the designers who live and work in this city, despite many having great design reputations and international recognition.
We are not all "cool" boutique design shops down little laneways, but a broad range of agencies and studios including studios with excellent branding expertise.
On the subject of cost, the media will always ask people in the street for an opinion on how much money should be paid for work that they have no understanding of. Designers understand what is involved. If you are so defensive, maybe it is because you charged too much.
This is not about the design of the new City of Melbourne logo, it is about the lack of understanding and respect for Melbourne designers in their own home town.
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Zero21
Carlton North, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Fitzroy
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Congruense Design
Mentone, Vic
Posted by on 24th July 2009
TANK
Port Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Monib
Collingwood, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
I reckon it looks great, well done to the designer.
Posted by on 24th July 2009
TANK
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
I said:
It shows where we (design community) need to do the work, and that value of design hasn't moved in the general public's eye for decades.
In most cases I believe we're Australian, not Victorian or South Australian, so the appointing of a Sydney company (doesn't matter who owns them) shouldn't be an issue... but City of Melbourne identity? The council are obviously not made up of brain surgeons.
I signed the Suite 7 blog to support the message to the council.
I encourage Australian designers not to get into an argument between themselves. If we, in South Australia were awarded the project, we wouldn't have knocked it back citing "Sorry, what were we thinking!"
This should not be seen as a criticism to the successful design studio, Landor Sydney. You were invited to tender, you won, and you did a great job.
(for not as many dollars as it you should have been paid by the way!)
Now try to distill these thoughts and learn how to continually educate and influence the community on the value of design.
The challenge continues.
Brenton Murray
AGDA VP
BMD graphic design
Adelaide
Posted by Brenton Murray on 24th July 2009
Lou Beach Design
Yarraville, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Anglican Media
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
TANK
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
twenty4
Prahran
Posted by on 24th July 2009
ARD, Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Design By Pidgeon
East St Kilda, VIC
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Fitzroy
Posted by on 24th July 2009
http://www.rippingmeoff.com/AU/Organization.mvc.aspx/Show/32
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Mark Sehler
Mekanica
Posted by on 24th July 2009
kokkugia
Sydney
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Tim Heraud Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 24th July 2009
Tim Hoffmann
ABT
Posted by on 25th July 2009
ok interrupt
Prahran
Posted by on 25th July 2009
let's look after the people in our own village!
John Wanless
Bambra Press
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Minet Imaging
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Buro North
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Zvonko Saric
Emma Echter
Mario Pongas
KRD
Hawthorn, Melbourne
Eloquently framed letter, well done Andrew + David.
Posted by Kym Ramadge on 25th July 2009
Posted by on 25th July 2009
SCDesign
Fitzroy
Posted by on 25th July 2009
WHY would an office/studio out of Sydney know better?! It's an embarrassment, the logo itself and the decision made to accept it as a symbol to represent 'us', the people of Melbourne. Shame on the small minded, ignorant Councillors who have no belief in the people of it's own City to design, to create a meaningful logo that engages and connects with those it represents, that stands proud to tell the nation, let alone the global community, we are 'Melbourne'!
Oh, ok, I guess now can be very proud of a logo that we can claim has been designed by some team in Sydney, looks like something many Melburnians think any student could have whipped on the computer in no time (!). Good work City of Melbourne!
Posted by on 25th July 2009
'paude/r
Northcote
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Studio Fizzy
St.Kilda
Posted by on 25th July 2009
KIF & KATAST
526 Malvern Road,
Prahran 3181
Posted by on 25th July 2009
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The Speeding Bullet
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Design Student (Swinburne)
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Swinburne Design Centre student & freelance designer
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
tape creative.
North Melbourne.
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Yolk design
Richmond, Victoria
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Swinburne Design Student
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
In my opinion, the logo, and the few associated materials I have seen, is great.
The two things I hate about branding projects such as this are that everyone jumps up and down about the cost, and all we see is a logo that everyone seems to think they could do themselves. How about we try and lift the debate to talk about the quality and value of design, and how it can improve and add value to the world rather than argue over my city is better than your city.
David Fox
Posted by on 25th July 2009
mdsDESIGN
Melbourne
The Major should support the state where he lives. There are many talented design agencies that could have and should have been considered for the rebranding of the City of Melbourne!
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Monkeypuzzle Design
South Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Hired Gun Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Topline Promotions
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
If a Melbourne (or Australian) studio was awarded the task of branding the cities of New York or London, I doubt AGDA would be writing open letters about the rights of local studios. Was it not a Melbourne studio responsible for the branding of the 2000 Sydney Olympics? Did we at that time 'cry foul' for Sydney studios?
If we consider our industry talented and mature enough to participate at an international level, maybe we should grow up.
However a larger issue than this seems to have been missed. As is usually the case when a project of this type is unveiled to the public, the 'empty vessels' of talk back ratio and tabloid media make great noise over the 'cost'.
At times like this, our industry representative AGDA would be better placed educating government, the corporate community and the public on the processes involved in such projects (where and why the money is spent) and the tangible and intangible benefits derived from investing in such a brand identity.
Finally, if AGDA takes on the responsibility of communicating the thoughts of the graphic design community via a written forum, please consider the advice we (as designers) would recommend to our clients and employ the services of a professional.
Such an important communication should have at least been edited by a professional editor.
"We urge you to consider and support fellow Victorian designers as you will find that many of these professional are in their own right symbols to the world of “how cool, intellectual, CREATIVE and urbane” Victorians are."
At least then our industry 'representative' may not have published a piece with poor grammar and spelling errors. Not a great reflection on us as professionals.
A letter that was possibly creative but not intellectual nor urbane.
Iain Evans
Eade Evans Design
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Stephen Banham
LETTERBOX
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Visual & Interaction Designer
REA Group, Richmond
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Brand Sugar
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Finrock International Pty Ltd
Elwood
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Student, Monash University,
Caulfield, Melbourne.
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Graphic Designer
Buzz Products
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Hofstede Design
Prahran
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Barry Spencer Design
Brunswick East
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Inkwell Creatives
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Encore Studio
Chelsea, Vic
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Precinct, Sydney
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Hawthorn
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Coöp
Melbourne
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Fitzroy
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Zava Design
Sydney supporter of Melbourne's design professionals.
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Design Victoria
Victoria
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Didonato
Fitzroy
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Didonato
Fitzroy
Posted by on 25th July 2009
Tanja Hall
JOLT
Brisbane QLD
Posted by Tanja Hall on 25th July 2009
Graphic Designer
Melbourne
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Andrew Barry
Graphic Designer
MRPPP (Melbourne)
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Hypagraphic
Melbourne
Posted by on 26th July 2009
21-19
Collingwood, Melbourne
Posted by on 26th July 2009
The problem really is that this new identity is not visionary, exacerbated by unfortunate mayoral comments, and the fact that Melbourne's internationally renowned studios weren't invited to pitch.
The ' design local' issue arises mainly because the new identity conveys no feel for Melbourne's unique soul and is widely seen as a missed opportunity to do something really good. It's not certain that local designers would have managed this, but surely more likely?
What were they THINKING? We give it a year, max. Maybe MCC could sell it on to a casino?
Les flâneurs (design dilettantes)
Sydney • Paris • Guadalajara
http://leflaneurblog.blogspot.com
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Stuart Geddes
Chase & Galley
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Tania Daly
Director
Graystone Studio, Brisbane
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Swinburne Design Student
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Student, Monash University
Caulfield
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Creative Director
Hyper Design
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Fallon ID
Melbourne
Posted by on 26th July 2009
Clemenger BBDO Sydney
(Former Collingwood resident)
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Struck & Spink
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Creative Contact
Posted by on 27th July 2009
HeineJonesStudio
Posted by on 27th July 2009
ARD, Prahran
Posted by on 27th July 2009
--
Kevin Blackburn, Design Director,
Elmwood Melbourne.
--
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Famous Visual Services
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Craig Jackett
Bambra Press
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Cengage Learning
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Fenton Communication
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Sage Creative
Posted by on 27th July 2009
We are a passionate lot aren't we? Great to see such a diverse range of angst, frustration, passion and sensibility.
As a Melburnian it seems easy to jump up and down and worrying about the whos and whys this project was not done by a Melbourne agency. At the end of the day, does it really matter?
I was fortunate enough to work on the Brand Victoria project at Cato and that was without doubt the most difficult project I've ever encountered. And guess what? We used a Sydney based research company to conduct a lot of our insights!!! The same public and media reaction came at the launch of that identity..."$750,000 for this?".
Two things concern me on this latest development...
1.The fact that it was not considered to strategically align the current Brand Victoria and Melbourne logos (currently outward facing marks only), visual language etc.. This would have eradicated the need to commission yet another identity that will ultimately cause confusion in the marketplace.
2. There seems to be NO understanding by the broader community into why projects of this magnitude cost what they cost!
I realise that the journalists need to sensationalise the project..."$240,000 for an M" etc but it would be nice for a journalist and/or an industry governing body (ie. AGDA) to inform, explain and educate the hows and whys of the creative process.
Anyway that's my 2 bobs worth!!
Paris Singer
Acorn Brand Design
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Frontline Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Graphic Designer
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Studio Brave,
Prahran
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Hate to be a smart arse, but in the last paragraph of the letter I think you mean 'professionals' , not 'professional', and to commenters, Doyle is a Mayor, not a Major.
Joe Bland
Univers Graphic Design
Richmond Victoria
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Grenade
Prahran
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Heneghan Design
South Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Graphic Designer
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
WayDesigns
Mount Martha
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Director
MDM Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Creative Director
square circle triangle
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Adcore Creative
Posted by on 27th July 2009
langdonlorraine
Collingwood
Posted by on 27th July 2009
http://www.21-19.com/
Melbourne, Australia.
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Canyon
St Kilda
Posted by on 27th July 2009
I would like Robert Doyle to (publically explain) the process of how he appointed an international design firm over and above local Australian talent let alone talent from Victoria.
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Storm Design
Posted by on 27th July 2009
cicreate
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Storm Design
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Ortolan
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Melbourne designers are not unhappy because they did not win the job. This is assuming that there was an equal opportunity for Melbourne agencies in the selection process.
We are unhappy with the sledging the local industry received in the Mayors comments. The implication that there is not sufficient design talent in Victoria is simply false and insulting.
Furthermore as the letter sums up, denigrating the previous logo, does no favours to anybody.
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Tell us, can you see?
Else our blood may heat & boil
Now, this advice is free...
Victorian talent's hard to miss
So lose it if you dare
And wave at our departing kiss
To show us that you care
Karen Slade
Brief Eater design
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Lauren Bird
ANZIIF
(design department)
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Adams Print
Southbank
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Graphic Designer
Sassen Design
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Vive Group
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Andrew Haig
Pang & Haig Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Blue Pebble Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
It is of even more concern when these comments come from a city leader in a State which HAS a design policy. Design Victoria, the message is clearly not getting through!
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Swinburne Student
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Creative
Posted by on 27th July 2009
ERD Communications
Carlton, Melbourne
erd.net.au
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Smart Works
Ferrars St, South Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
ektavo
Prahran
Posted by on 27th July 2009
MDM Design
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Disegno Group
Southbank
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Posted by on 27th July 2009
RMIT Design Student
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
David Lancashire Design
Posted by on 27th July 2009
The CandyFactory
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
CC & Co.
Collingwood
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Design Student (Swinburne)
Posted by on 27th July 2009
For those who want an explanation by our council...
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=269&pa=3306&pg=4633
Jess Keegan
Melb. freelance designer
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Posted by on 27th July 2009
K. W. Doggett Fine Paper
Posted by on 27th July 2009
The tabloid media has gone out of its way to push the 'my little cousin could do better' as well as the RMIT Honors students 1 hour workshop, but like what has already been stated, that is not the issue.
AGDA, being a National body, should have been consulted in-regards to relevant studios and also informing and educating the public on the process of design.
Peter Trigar
CC & Co.
Collingwood
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Max Robinson
Max.Creative
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Dianna Wells Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Senior Lecturer
Communication Design
Faculty of Design
Swinburne University of Technology
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Lecturer/Industry Placement Coordinator
Communication Design
Faculty of Design
Swinburne University of Technology
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Liquid Creativity
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Eye to Eye
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Lecturer
VU. Creative Industries. Art, Design & Multimedia Department. Melbourne. AU
Posted by on 27th July 2009
Trial & Error
Melbourne
Posted by on 27th July 2009
TuvsDay Design
Caulfield North
Posted by on 28th July 2009
The Works,
Melbourne
Posted by on 28th July 2009
David Lancashire Design
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Piccadilly Creative
– I just shake my head in disbelief.
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Design Victoria, Victoria
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Andrew Hoyne
Hoyne Design
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Andrew Hoyne
Hoyne Design
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Melbourne
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Velvet Monkeys
Melbourne
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Designer
Sweet Design
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Studio Periscope
Melbourne
Posted by on 28th July 2009
heiDESIGN pty ltd
eltham
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Exit Tshirts
Melbourne
Posted by on 28th July 2009
MDM Design
Posted by on 28th July 2009
heiDESIGN pty ltd
eltham
Posted by on 28th July 2009
Flux Visual Communication
Adelaide SA
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Studio 131
Melbourne CBD
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Maybe you should now consider a redesign of your mark on Melbourne, now that you fully understand the people that work and live here.
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Design by Ciotola
Fitzroy North (City of Melbourne)
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Graphic Designer
Melbourne
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Midnightsky
Fitzroy
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Trudi Raymant
Robin Morton
Damien Coulson
Danielle Sacks
Ben Kelly
Raewyn Metcalfe
APR Design
Black Rock
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Andrea Benyi
Pandarosa
Posted by on 29th July 2009
I have just come back from holiday to this City of Melbourne identity debate.....and your blog.
My diatribe....
The grey and yellow logo on your blog is a refreshed version we executed in 2005 to update the green, red and yellow identity produced by Richard Henderson in the early 90’s. It came with a visual language including turning the parking police from ‘Blue Cops’ into Armani wearing warm grey Melbourne style fashionistas. It also came with a sizeable Cornwell budget. We attempted to get a new identity off the ground but the cost of change was in the millions and a decision was taken to upgrade and retain the integrity of the original mark. Wise given the amount of infrastructure the logo appears on. How ironic that in the face of a GFC Bob Doyle thinks the new M is going to deliver demonstrable returns to the City when the our failing health and transport system needs serious Government investment and attention. Is the City of Melbourne about beautification and tourism, or is it about governance, waste, welfare? The new identity makes the Melbourne tourism logo (produced by Ken Cato) and the City of Melbourne logo look like they are selling the same product. This is farcical brand management. How do you reconcile selling the City of Melbourne as a multifaceted city of laneways and diverse culture in a tourism sense and then receive your parking fine, welfare assistance and waste pickup with the same symbol strewn across everything? This new identity is covering the tourism Melbourne logo territory and makes our council look ignorant, myopic and single minded, rather than smart.
On the Sydney/Melbourne issue.
Sending the identity to Sydney is not at all a concern. We work all over the country, and internationally, so we cant act irrationally over a Sydney/Melbourne issue, this is parochial nonsense. People in glass houses etc... Wolff Olins, who originated out of London, created identities for NYC and Portugal and no one questioned this. And neither should they, he is great at what he does. My issue with the development of the City of Melbourne identity is with Bob Doyle’s comments that he clearly implies there is no so called “specialist skills” to be found in this state. This undoes all of the great work being undertaken by Design Victoria, ironically a A State Government initiative, that promotes the enormous talent pool of internationally renowned Victorian designers to the broader business community. Given the State Governments investment in Design Victoria and its very successful State of Design festival, Bob Doyle is either totally misinformed or totally ignorant as to the calibre of design talent and the thriving industry sitting on his door step. This doesn’t demonstrate real passion or love of Melbourne. These are not the actions of a Lord Mayor whose moral obligation is to support the City and its talent rather than undermining it.
What Bob doesn’t realise is that the design community is vocal and united. He should enjoy the legacy of the new identity as he wont be around to enjoy it in the next election. And neither will the logo.
I have forwarded this to Ray Edgar also, I don’t want to see this pushed under the carpet, perhaps Ray can store this for the next Council election.
Bob and the council, what a bunch of ego driven gits!!!!!!
A slightly bemused
Steven Cornwell.
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Studio 131
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Spice & Co Design
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Matt Ling
Ling Design
St Kilda
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Christian Teniswood
Cato/Futurebrand
Posted by on 29th July 2009
REDNOISE
Richmond
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Struck & Spink
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Kerrsive
Melbourne
Posted by on 29th July 2009
Posted by on 30th July 2009
Shona Design
Melbourne
Posted by on 30th July 2009
Reactive
Better late than never.
Posted by Tim Kotsiakos on 25th September 2009