Awa Press Young Designer
of the Year Award
Saskia Nicol
Highly Commended
 | Saskia Nicol graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Art and Design and started her career as a designer for ProDesign magazine. This was followed by further magazine design work at Metro and North and South, and then a move to books with a contract at Random House New Zealand. She now freelances and is completing a personal project designing a cover for every book she reads for her website, www.saskianicol.com. To view a Q & A with Saskia, click here |
Judges’ comments Saskia Nicol’s design for Tupaia is brilliant. It is one of the best book designs of the year. The cover design is incredibly eye-catching and the interior is perfect; every element is beautifully handled. The rest of Nicol’s portfolio shows a great level of competence and, in particular, a wonderful ability to design striking covers.
 | Cover and interior design Title Tupaia: captain Cook's Polynesian Navigator by Joan Druett Publisher Random House New Zealand Designer's comment Tupaia is a rich history of the Pacific. Abundant use of large imagery not only complements the story but reveals in detail Tupaia’s incredible artistic abilities. Two contrasting typefaces reflect the voice of the story, which is not contemporary and approachable but reputable and solid. |
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 | Cover and interior design Title The Fighting Spirit: 75 years of the RNZAF by Margaret McClure Publisher Random House New Zealand Designer's comment Marking the 75th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Airforce, Fighting Spirit celebrates the history of the RNZAF in a bright, informative and accessible format. Moving from the early 20th century through to the first decade of the 21st, the story is frequently supported with large images to engage with a wider audience. |
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 | Cover and interior design Title It's All About the Image by Dick Frizzell Publisher Random House New Zealand Designer's comment The title It’s All About the Image speaks for itself. I worked closely with the author, Dick Frizzell, on the design. We devised a modern and reductive design with a degree of transparency, allowing the vibrant imagery to do the talking. |
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 | Cover and interior design Title New Zealand New Millennium by Anonymous Publisher Penguin Books New Zealand Designer's comment New Zealand New Millennium s a comprehensive portrait of New Zealand in the first decade post-millennium. Glossy images are sectioned into four distinct colour-coded themes: news, sports, environment and lifestyle. The book is accessible, vibrant and fun – a photography book for the everyday New Zealander. |
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