AGDA Poster Annual Judges Choice Announced!

23rd November, 2010

Judge: 
Scott Santoro

Judges Choice:
'Smile' by Joel Priestland

The 'Smile' poster actually got me to smile on an otherwise sad day in NYC (9/11), but I admire it for many reasons. I can hear the designer's voice in the piece, as if I'm on tour with someone pointing out odd places and things that might normally go unnoticed in Melbourne. I get vernacular treats not normally served up on the publicity platter-the designer made sure I saw them, which is design's fundamental job.

The poster seems simple at first, but on closer inspection, reveals a much appreciated complexity. In fact, there is a double-coding-one for the public, and one for fellow designers. For example, there is no type, yet it has a typographic sensibility through grid and alignments; uses only two colors, but in a restrained and sophisticated way; and the poster seems naive, yet I know it was made by a colleague. It makes me wish I'd thought of it.

Scott Santoro
Worksight, NYC

Title:
Smile

Designer:
Joel Priestland

Studio:
Studio Worldwide

Description:
136 vinyl cut curves were created in three sizes and two colours. These were added to any appropriately sized circles around the city of Melbourne and photographed in-situ. This poster is a selection of these images. In adding one abstract shape to another in busy public places we hope to create a smile in what is normally a bland urban view. If the viewer is feeling optimistic, we hope they will recognise the optimism in this gesture, and smile.

Congratulations to Joel, keep an eye out for the other Judges Choice to be highlighted soon!