+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Aaron McKirdy, a self-confessed ‘serif’ lover, has a tempestuous relationship with graphic design began early but only really took off after he lost his virginity to a dirty little agency called Eyework. Their love affair escalated through a shared passion for arts-based clients that produced award-winning projects like City Gallery’s Parihaka. It was only a matter of time before his identity work drew Designworks to him like a bitch on heat. It was his roving type though, that allowed him access to the inner sanctum at Hodder Children’s Books in the UK. McKirdy’s apparent serial monogamy has held him in good stead for the past 13 years. Meanwhile his alter ego has continued to spread its seed far and wide, fathering handsome offspring for Alzheimer’s NZ, Formway and Auckland Airport. Currently McKirdy is married to Chrome Toaster where the fruit of his loins continue to flourish.

Tana Mitchell After a long-time studying at various tertiary institutions in the capital, Mitchell did the obligatory stint in London where she was lucky enough to work on some BIG brands with the clever people at MetaDesign. A fully formed and staunch ‘sans’ zealot, she eventually returned to Wellington to fulfil boutique-dreams of mooching around, designing album covers, theatre posters, art catalogues and the like—a dream realised with the good folk at Eyework Design. All ‘cultured-up’ Mitchell made the move to Auckland where within a few years she had been lured to Designworks, where you’ll find her to this day, happily working on a great diversity of projects both BIG and boutique.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

L E C T U R E  | 1400h | 14.02.09 |  view programme

Typefight: sans vs serif

Tana Mitchell and Aaron Mckirdy will engage in a down and dirty debate on the virtues of SANS versus SERIF. Nothing is sacred in this (type)face-off; not Meidenger, nor Garamond — as punches are thrown, characters are questioned and legibility is challenged. The opponents will sabotage and subvert each other’s work as well as using and abusing well known and much loved popular icons to fuel the fire. There’ll be no Fudoni here, it’s SANS or SERIF and the last designer standing wins, but it’s the crowd that decides who takes home the heavyweight belt.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

About the images
Parihaka (2000): Typeface designed for City Gallery Wellington exhibition in collaboration with Neil Pardington | Aaron McKirdy]| Britomart brand identity (detail) | Tana Mitchell
 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

<< BACK to the speakers page

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++