Subscribe to RSSSuperCity Logo Picked
Auckland supercity’s logo will be a stylised pohutukawa design submitted by retired commercial artist Jim Dean of Manukau City.
The judges – chaired by Waitakere Mayor and former advertising agency boss Bob Harvey – said the logo fitted the brief of being “compelling, elegant and compact.” He said: “It’s a stunning design. We love it.”
More than 1,500 people submitted logos for the competition which was launched in February.
Mayor Bob Harvey said: “We appreciate the creativity, the time and the hard work people put into submitting their designs. Each of the judges looked at every single design that was submitted and we would like to express our thanks to everyone who took part. “The pohutukawa design submitted by Jim Dean was the clear, stand-out winner.”
Among the reasons art consultant Hamish Keith gave for favouring the design were:
- It fits the prescription of being concise, elegant and compelling.
- It is not a stereotype.
- It is an image to which all Aucklanders can relate.
- It evokes the geography of the region.
- It is flexible and can be adapted to a variety of uses – from vehicle doors to shoulder patches, letterheads, signs and bin markers.
- It has high readability.
- It provides the new council, if they wish, with an official flower.
The competition rules allowed designers to submit variations on a single logo design on a single sheet. In accordance with the rules, Mr Dean will now work with professional designers to develop finished artwork for the Auckland Council which can be used on everything from websites and signage, to legal notices and rubbish bins. It must be suitable for reproduction at a range of sizes in printed and electronic versions in colour and black and white.
The logo is also required by the Electoral Officer for voter and candidate information packs in advance of October’s local body elections.
For winning, Mr Dean will receive a trophy and a ‘best of Auckland’ prize package valued at $10,000.
Jim Dean is a 69 year old retired commercial artist. He lives with his wife of 41 years in Cockle Bay, Manukau City. He refers to himself as a ‘DIY nut’ and has an active interest in water colour painting, photography and woodwork. For the design Jim drew inspiration from Auckland’s coastal environment. The stamens on the pohutakawa represent the seven Auckland cities and districts coming together as one. Jim’s philosophy of design is simplicity and visual impact.
15 Comments
Don’t like it personally, I don’t see how it represents Auckland.
I love it! finally something without the sky tower!
@Anthony Good point - or sails! Its grown on me.
When I first looked at it I was kind of underwhelmed. But like Jon it’s growing on me. Well the one in the circle anyway… I still don’t think much of the other two
i agree with jimmy, the one in the circle is best.
Heraldically it is quite correct and in terms of design it’s legible, means something and is a lot better than all those other Auckland logos we’ve been subjected to over recent years: the city of [rich peoples'] sails; the truncated, somewhat inebriated, A, etc. It would be good to see it translated into a proper grant of arms via the New Zealand Herald of Arms; far better than the colonial confection the ACC currently labours under (obviously no pun intended). And it would be best to see it as a component part of an integrated train/bus/ferry livery!
I guess I could live with it, but I am not overwhelmed. I couldn’t even tell it was a Pohutakawa.
Why is my head screaming “retro wallpaper patterns”?
Quite like it! I groaned when I first heard about so am pleasantly surprised.
Oh my god, can’t believe people actually like this, I thought Joyce had designed it, it’s right out of the 1980 design book, WTF. I guess it just symbolises how far behind Auckland really is, we will create a new council in 2011, but have it look 100years old. Come on why can’t we just steal the Auckland tourism logo, looks much better, much more modern, just 100%beta!!!!!!
I like the one in the circle! It’s simple and different - kind of reminds me of Japan or Taiwan’s prefecture flags which have simple designs with nice colours and end up being strikingly attractive. I guess Auckland doesn’t need to keep trying to show itself as modern and ‘blue’ all the time..
modern - No we don’t, but do we really need to go back in time?
blue - yes thats our cities colour, why would you detract from that?
A friend of mine suggested today that the logo be a motorway with the monopoly man above it… Quite good I think…
Once the RMA reforms take effect in 2012 it’ll probably be the last pohutukawa left in Auckland, so enjoy it!
The logo is an ARC hang-over, this is a logo not a brand. The Community Boards will shape the brand over the next 24 months, Hopefully the Supercity structure will pay homage torefer to Vladimir Tatlin’s model.
Why do people keep on trying to re-invent the wheel. WHen all they are doing is changing the tread pattern or hubcap.
The logo does not reflect the future of Auckland moving forward, but is a reflection of the past in both colour and representative components.
A Great Opportunity Lost!