Zac Davies

While studying at Billy Blue I was provided the opportunity to further explore my creative freedom by working with event promotion freelance clients who required me to oversee the entire branding process. From original logotypes to artwork, this period was intensely creative and highly enjoyable. What graphic designer doesn’t love gig posters? As part of this display I have also included a poster created during my study for a fictional typography exhibition (centre poster). The logotype seen is my own amalgamation of existing Lubalin type treatments. To the left is the ‘Shrug’ logo I designed for a leading cult nightclub event which is still in use today.

A showcase of my major projects whilst employed by Scan Pacific International as their design department during 2010 - 2011. Scan Pacific International is the parent company of Newtown Art Supplies, a click and mortar retailer who has been servicing the the art community in Australia for over 20 years. Starting on the left is a conceptual redesign of the store’s shopfront signage. Moving to the centre you will note a branded canvas tote bag, used for sales and other promotional activity and finally on the right is a mock-up I proposed for the firm’s website. Following my resignation, the firm again revised their storefront and has since modified their website. However, the logo to the right and tote bag above remain true to the original designs I submitted and I am proud to see the tote bag worn by many stylish Newtown Art Supplies patrons around the Inner West today.

The above designs are from volunteer work I presented for the Salvation Army Care Line CD-ROM database. The wood style version presented on the right was my original submission, submitted without receiving a brief. Once the client saw the original concept they were able to express their requirements for the design to provide a strong message, with limited distractions. Which lead to the final design on the left being approved. Texture and depth was added to the Salvo’s logo to help humanise an otherwise cold and impersonal product.

I completed this freelance project for Hazelnut Nursery Propagators in December of 2010. This client specialises in immature Hazelnut trees distributed from the Megalong Valley in NSW. Inspired to communicate a warm message in their brand I modified Caslon Swash with some advanced custom kerning and ligatures for that wholesome family farm feel. Limitations for this project included being required to include an unfortunately low quality image supplied by the client for a trade display (far right). To overcome this challenge I applied a deliberately retro Polaroid style to the images, a style that has since skyrocketed in popularity thanks to apps like Instagram.

Like many designers I am fascinated with type. Presented above are three custom typefaces I designed during my time at Billy Blue. Up first you will find ‘Blades’ which was inspired by a fusion of Pacific Island Tiki type and ultra condensed 70’s style typefaces such as those seen on many bossanova / jazz vinyls of the era. The second typeface is called ‘Deco LCD’ and was designed purely to fit within an imagined LCD / nixie tube light bulb system. All letters and symbols can be rendered within the one circle, as such it would look awesome in a retro sci-fi elevator or steampunk control room. Last but not least is ‘Origami Ribbon’ this started as a personal project while I was working on the gig posters above. Every character is a single stroke of stylised fabric.