This popular science book was designed to be accessible to a wide range of readers and is rich in stunning photography and illustrations explaining clearly the geoscience of the New Zealand region.

The layout is designed to clearly break up the book into 99 concise articles over 13 chapters.

Each of the Illustrations are intended to be intuitive and accessable without being overly simplistic. I have attempted to intergrate the illustrations visually in to the text with creative layout, ‘breaking the grid’, where there was opportunity to create links between image and word. I was also fortunate in being able to make use of the attractive output of some advanced GIS modelling and visualization software.

A facinating and rewarding project to work on.

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

Dr Ian Graham
General Manager, Research
GNS Science
(Chief Editor of A Continent on the Move)

• Book illustration – Andrew’s role was extensive in the production of two books on Earth Sciences, particularly the publication ‘A Continent on the Move’. Where Andrew was involved in the design of the book and fully responsible for the preparation of all the illustrations, the production of the book from layout to pre-press, proofing and liaison with the printers. This book is a finalist in the upcoming New Zealand book awards.
• Branding – Andrew worked as a ‘brand champion’ ensuring brand standards were maintained in all external communications.
• Corporate brochures – prepared many of a new series of brochures advertising GNS science’s products and services, ensuring a consistent brand image.
• GNS Science calendars – designed and produced a series of eye-catching and informative calendars.
• Improving systems – Andrew is always keen to improve ways of doing things both within his team and the organisation. As an example he designed and set up the internal staff newsletter for electronic delivery.
• Web development – helped develop and implement a new look for the GNS Science external web and also the redevelopment of some sections of the intranet.

I personally would like to recommend Andrew to any prospective employer and would have absolutely no hesitation in re-hiring him if we ever get the opportunity again.
Yours sincerely

Philip Carthew
Graphics Team Leader
GNS Science

I was responsible for the majority of the books illustrations and oversaw the production of the books geological maps.

The key issue with this publication was creating a book that would appeal to a broad range of readers including those who may not have a science background.  It was thus desirable to reduce the complexity of graphics, where at all possible, to their essentials, improving access to the concepts that can sometimes be a little tricky to grasp.

Working closely with Hamish, I went through a number of cycles with each of the graphics until we were happy that we’d simplified them into a form that best communicated the message or concepts.

It is very rewarding for me to communicate science successfully through illustration and I feel fortunate to have worked with Hamish Cambell, one of New Zealand’s foremost science communicators, on this book.

Dr Hamish Campbell
Senior scientist
GNS Science