I write as General Manager Strategy at GNS Science, the New Zealand government-owned earth and isotope science institute. Andrew joined us some three and a half years ago and in the middle of last year a minor restructuring brought our Graphics Team, of which he has been a member, within my domain of responsibility. My comments are therefore focused on his impact on the institution in a “corporate” sense.
During this entire period I have had frequent interaction with Andy, relying on him to a very large extent both for advice on our brand standards, and for maintaining those standards in both print and web-based material. Most recently, we have worked together very closely on one particular project, the company brochure. While this in itself is not a huge task, it allowed me to get to know him much better, and also to appreciate his many positive attributes.
Overall, Andy is a highly competent graphical designer, and the best we have had in our Institute. Only with his advice have we been able to work out how to handle subtle and potentially conflicting issues around master-brand and sub-brand relationships, and software product naming and packaging questions. He understands a job brief, and helps a client, internal or external, with specifying the brief when there is uncertainty about what is actually required. His design work is attractive, serves a purpose, and yet still displays creative flair, even when a strict brand standard must be satisfied.
One of the tangible measures of his success within our Institute is the invariable praise he receives from our science staff, people who can be difficult to satisfy. In addition to the myriad of small and modest tasks he has been responsible for, one of his major achievements during his time with us was the design, layout and preparation of the illustrations for the 377-page book “A Continent on the Move”, co-published by ourselves and the Geological Society of New Zealand. This book is presently a finalist in it’s category for this year’s Montana Book Awards. New Zealand’s premier book prize. Perhaps another of his major achievements, but harder to quantify, has been his contribution to the professional and collegial atmosphere which now pervades our Graphics Team. I know his Team Leader, who reports to me directly, appreciates this very much.
We are truly sorry to see Andy leave, but we wish him well in his future career and undertakings, in which we know he will excel. It was marvelous having him with us and he would be most welcome to return at any time.
Yours sincerely
Dr Desmond Darby
General Manager Strategy
