Hiker
Christopher Doyle:

The AGDA Awards finalists have just been announced in Australia and there is a load of excellent work on show, like this wonderful identity for Hiker, a hiking podcast, by Ed. Such a lovely, simple idea based in a truth. I also love the vertical lockup. Minimum moves, maximum impact.

Bryon Close Estate
Alphabetical
Jim Sutherland:

A housing estate in Thamesmead, South London. The estate is divided by a concrete dual carriageway. The derelict spaces beneath the flyover have become hot spots for anti-social behaviour. These spaces will be transformed into exciting areas for arts & recreation.Inspired by the green spaces that surround the estate and re-created local animals as giant sculptures, cast in concrete. Illustrations were by Rebecca Sutherland. A beautiful Concrete Jungle.

Australian Film Television and Radio School
M35
Shane Keane:

M35’s branding for Australian Film Television and Radio School conveys a beautiful sense of movement with the simplest graphic touch. The concept visually references a timeline—a device used both for vision and sound editing. A deft use of typography allows the ‘timeline’ effect to work wonderfully across all the branded materials from print through to web—and it looks lovely in motion, too.

D’Angelo Coffee
Studio Band
Rob Duncan:

Australian agency Studio Band really nailed it with this idea. Clever, Clean and Coffee. All the “C’s” and a great big “D”. Love it!

Issho Restaurant
Dutchscot
Jim Sutherland:

Issho translates as ‘together’ in Japanese, so the idea of ’togetherness’ was a theme throughout, with the Japanese art of kintsugi (repairing broken pottery with gold) being at the core. 3 bespoke patterns were created with Eley Kishimoto. The restaurant is based in Leeds, so the British pattern features the white rose of Yorkshire, the Japanese pattern was created with an ichimatsu stream reference. Light boxes were used for directional signs to reference traditional Japanese paper lamps.

The Daddy Long Legs
Voice Design
Christopher Doyle:

The Daddy Long Legs is an extremely rare and special fortified wine, making it one of Australia’s most expensive fortifieds. Its production is limited to the contents of only two remaining barrels set aside for over 40 years, making its quantity limited and its quality exceptional. The barrel shed that housed the wine is inhabited by hundreds of ‘Daddy Long Leg’ spiders who have kept a watchful eye over these barrels for decades. Incredible idea and next level production by Voice Design.

Bridges Not Walls
Garbett
Rob Duncan:

Garbett have designed this little beauty. Needs no explanation whatsoever. (Pay attention Mr Trump!)

Assembly
Ragged Edge
Jamie Ellul:

Most hotels want you to spend time in them. But when you’re in the heart of the city, why stay cooped up in your room? Branded by Ragged Edge – Assembly is a new hotel brand that encourages its guests to get up and go. It’s all held together with an eclectic bespoke typeface, but the real difference is the copy – telling people not to stay in your hotel, but to get out and explore instead is fresh and ballsy. Love it.

Master Fishmonger Standard
Freytag Anderson
Jamie Ellul:

An ancient City Guild, The Fishmongers’ Company has upheld standards in fish trading for more than 700 years. The Company recently created certification to celebrate professional excellence and approached Freytag Anderson to create the visual identity for the new Master Fishmonger Standard. They’ve created a lovely simple ribbon / fishtail marque for starters, but the main dish is the beautiful imagery created by printing with fish – inspired by the gyotaku technique used by Japanese fishermen.