The headline could have been “Gideon Goes for Grotesque” and that would be accurate. Noted graphic designer Gideon Keith used the typeface Grotesque Number 9 for the new PANZ Book Design Awards logo, the year and awards title laid out on a pared-back book shape.
“The design is for an educated audience – you don’t need obvious cues. I hope winning book designers feel good about putting it on their walls.
“The typeface wasn’t meant to be contemporary; it was cut in 1906. I was going for a timeless rather than a contemporary quality.”
PANZ Councillor for the awards Sam Elworthy commented that “Gideon Keith is an outstanding brand designer as well as a book designer, so we have been fortunate to have him bring his talents to redesigning the PANZ Book Design Awards.
“The design is for an educated audience – you don’t need obvious cues. I hope winning book designers feel good about putting it on their walls.
“The typeface wasn’t meant to be contemporary; it was cut in 1906. I was going for a timeless rather than a contemporary quality.”
PANZ Councillor for the awards Sam Elworthy commented that “Gideon Keith is an outstanding brand designer as well as a book designer, so we have been fortunate to have him bring his talents to redesigning the PANZ Book Design Awards.
“What he has come up with is forthright, fresh and arresting – it’s a design that will stand strong alongside the great book designs that we celebrate at the awards.”
Gideon Keith is Creative Partner at Strategy Design & Advertising, Auckland.
