Value of AGDA - Testimonial from Matthew McCarthy, Clear Design

22nd January, 2012

This week AGDA member Matthew McCarthy of Clear Design shares his position on the value of AGDA membership:

Earlier in 2011, I had the privilege to meet and listen to Paul Barnes and Christian Schwartz from Commercial Type when they were in Australia as part of the AGDA International Speaker Tour.

Admiring their work from a far, the lecture gave myself and the clear team a chance to learn more about their work and process. Lectures can be a little hit and miss, but these guys were definitely engaging, drawing people in, revealing a little bit of gossip, the back story and the hard work that it takes to make design communicate.

The presentation was filled with the joy that can be found within the detail.

What really worked for me was the way they presented, their honesty, discussions about their process, trips to cemeteries (Denis Bryans would have loved this!), how at times design is really hard work, idea connectivity and how two in-tuned people can talk design from separate parts of the world and "get the big ideas".
You could see the spark they had, and how this spark navigated the many revisions and hours in front of the monitor.

Paul and Christians relationship reminded me of times when I have worked closely with my own team members, clients or friends -- and you have that "f$%k yeah" moment when a design conversation becomes a rambling abbreviation of abstract words and human expression -- to the non designer it would sound people talking in tongues... "how about, half a point, track that, Multiply is under Effects, What about, what about, what about..., make it pop! ...ah yes Sir!"

Rather than debate the nuances of Times over Georgia on the web -- at the end of their presentation I felt this ridiculous need to jump up and thank Paul and Christian for the hour of escapism, for the detail, the small stuff that we all sweat and make good design great.

I raced home and immediately tired to communicate to any one that would listen the praise of Commercial Type "You should have seen their presentation, their use of colour and type... the small stuff, serifs that align to create other shapes with in the word -- brilliant!"

What was really lovely, was when I arrived at work the following day and my staff were motivated, they too were enthusiastic for what Commercial Type had presented and what the "blue sky" can be. I must admit the next three presentations clear did all involved Guardian Egyptian. Sorry guys ... we are yet to get the font over the line, but we will get it there eventually!

Matthew McCarthy
Founder Director of Design

cleardesign.com.au

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The following images are an overview of the design collateral produced for NewActon Nishi (Canberra) by clear for the Molonglo Group.

This is an ongoing project collaborating with Nectar Efkarpidis (Molonglo Group), Fender Katsalidis Architecture, Suppose Design Office (Japan), DesignOffice (Universal) and Oculus.

Photography by Ric Wallis (Collateral)

Photography by Scottie Cameron (Interiors)

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We will be hearing from AGDA members around the country on why they value their AGDA membership and what they enjoy about being part of the AGDA community.

Whether it is a story about connecting with someone, being inspired by a guest speaker, an AGDA Award they have won, or an AGDA event that made a difference in their designer life. 

Share your story and write to communications@agda.com.au