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Auckland Council logo competition winner is chosen

General News | 04/23/2010

The judges of the Auckland Council logo competition have chosen the winning entry.

It is 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.

About the winner

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.