Runningbean Design

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

From the moment Andy Gray joined GNS Science, he established himself as a key member of the Graphics Team. His skill level, attitude and working relationships have been exemplary, making him sought-after by corporate and scientific staff alike. His work is consistently stylish and accurate, and his ability to translate the often half-formed ideas of his clients into a polished product, without unduly imposing his own will, sets him apart.
I worked with Andy over a 4-year period in the publication of A Continent on the Move, a 400 page coffee table style book on New Zealand geoscience written for a general audience. The book has been a great success, and has been praised for both its style and the presentation of photos and other illustrations (about 750 in all). Andy was largely responsible for the overall design and layout. He handled the photo-management and the redrawing of all graphic illustrations. Through this he showed sound judgement and a fine attention to detail. The book is a lasting testament to his all round abilities
Andy is a first class graphic artist with an excellent bed-side manner. He would be an asset to anyone wishing to employ him fulltime or as a consultant.
Yours faithfully,

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

We were very fortunate at GNS Science to secure the services of Andrew Gray for three years from 2006 until June 2009, where he worked as part of my Graphics Team. Andrew proved himself to be a talented graphic designer with extensive technical skills and a keen interest to expand his knowledge. He has been an invaluable member of the team sharing his knowledge and contributing to continual improvement in our methods and processes.
As well as the busy day to day work which includes producing posters, technical illustrations for reports, corporate communications, presentations, conference material, brochures and flyers, some of the areas Andrew has had significant achievements in are:

• 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

As a research scientist at GNS Science, the geologist at Te Papa and a person who is heavily involved with Public Outreach I have had much to do with Andrew Gray during the past four years (August 2006 – June 2009). I have drawn on Andrew’s skills and services in graphic design and presentation for the production of popular books and PowerPoint presentations. Specifically, he made a significant contribution to a book that I co-authored with Gerard Hutching: ‘In search of ancient New Zealand.’  This was published by Penguin & GNS Science in 2007 and to date has sold about 10,000 copies, a rare feat for a book on geological history! Some credit is due Andrew for his excellent diagrams.
In working closely with Andrew, I quickly discovered that GNS Science had an outstanding asset: a graphics design artist with a MSc in Earth Sciences and geophysics in particular. Not only is he highly competent at manipulating his way around complex graphics design software packages, he also understood our language and what we are all trying to communicate. Because of his qualifications, he was able to bring substantial intelligence to his work, leading to efficient and easily achieved results and products.
Not only was he ‘one of us’, so to speak, but he also has sense of art and an exceptional flare for design. He has an acute awareness and understanding of aesthetics, composition, content, balance, line weight, lighting, colour, perspective and style. He has an uncanny ability to communicate ideas through imagery and design that makes it all seem effortless.
I have also been impressed by Andrew’s professionalism with respect to organising his time, the courtesy and thoughtful consideration he brings to dealing with people, especially the ‘clients’, and his willingness to accommodate demands upon his time during periods of stressful, deadline-driven, high workload. He is a brick: hard-working and totally reliable. He has been a joy to work with.
GNS Science is losing a major talent and a rare one at that. Should you be considering this man for employment purposes, then look no further.
I commend Andrew Gray unreservedly.
Yours faithfully,

Dr Hamish Campbell
Senior scientist
GNS Science