Gymsports in Canterbury Charitable Trust

Project Description: 2017 NZ Trampoline Nationals Branding, Advertising & Programme

Client: Gymsports in Canterbury Charitable Trust

Project Overview:

Daniel Price Art & Design was approached in 2017 to be the artistic lead and designer for the production of the branding, advertising collateral and event programme for the 2017 Trampolining and Tumbling National Championships.

Design Challenge:

This project required the creation of a uniform visual identity that would carry over into a wide variety of media, as well as the laying out and design of the event programme which would be sold to spectators attending the competition event, which was held in Christchurch. As such, allusions to dynamism, overall atmosphere of excitement, movement and quality gymnastics; as well as nods to the host city, had to be included throughout the project.

Creative Solution:

Alongside a select few on the event organizing committee, Daniel Price Art & Design created a set of graphics unique to the event, whose elements could be easily adapted for the following media:

• Posters: The primary direction for the visual identity was developed in the production of the event posters. Using trending typography that was evocative for a sporting environment, as well as provided photographs of selected feature gymnasts - which provided viewing audiences with a sense of what the event was about. These elements were combined with abstract red and black paths designed to convey movement, particularly those involved in a somersault. Along with a slightly abstracted element alluding to the prominent 'Chalice' sculpture which is a staple of imagery in Christchurch.
• Social Media Banners and Assets: Using the visual identity established with the poster design, the graphics were adapted to facilitate Facebook event banners and an image frame to go onto promotional image posts of the event.
• Event Programme: The event programme was developed using provided data, interviews, articles and stories and laid out as an A4 booklet. Graphic elements relating to the overall identity were also developed to be unique within the programme and to tie layouts back to the advertising. The event poster was also used as the front cover of the programme
• Removable Medal Table Insert: A separate, removable table was developed so that spectators could interact with the results of the competition and keep track of them. The aesthetics involved graphics that were in the event programme so that visual identity remained uniform and relevant to each other.
• Medal Graphics: Daniel Price Art & Design was also asked to provide the abstract graphics of the Christchurch 'Chalice' involved in the event poster and advertising in a design that would be minted onto the medals presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Project Results:

Initially, as the project was early in my career - I signed on voluntarily in order to get practice in the freelance field and to generate experience and exposure; and because of my already established history involved in the Gymnastics community. The job was agreed and understood by all parties initially as a non-paying and voluntary gig. The work I did on this project was successful in creating a uniform visual language that consistently carried throughout the many facets of the event, and was received well enough that the organizers insisted on presenting me with a generous Koha for my work.

The project was incredibly valuable to the development of Daniel Price Art & Design in being involved with large projects for the first time as a graphic designer, and in developing consistent visual languages, formatting and layout for publications and other assorted media.