The Alchemist design|print » George

Exciting Times

George — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 03:18:14 +0000

It was August 2005 when I first started The Alchemist, and now almost 7 and a half years later, I’m shutting it down. Time for changes and renewals. It’s been exciting, challenging at times, but overall a very rewarding experience for me. I have had an awesome time working and at the same time, trying to make it work.

I want to thank all our clients who have been through with us. Thank you for the work, the trust and everything in between.

I’m off to do my Masters in Fine Arts at The University of Auckland (Elam School of Fine Arts) for one year. Not sure what’s gonna happen afterwards, but for now, it’s going to be an exciting and regenerating one-year experience.

Our last day of work on 20 Garrett Street is 12th of February. We’re having goodbye drinks and an Art Sale on the 13th, starting from 4:30pm (till the 17th), so if you’re reading this, come say goodbye and wish me luck. I’ll still be around for a week, but leave for Auckland on the 22nd of February. Antony is going to work at Capiche design, in case you’re looking for a design studio to take over from the work that we’ve been doing.

I also want to extend my gratitude to everyone who worked with me during those 7 and a half years:

Neil Sandbrook
Tony Anderson
Antony Brown
Victoria Kay (now Upton)
Hannah Ngai
Anoushka Isaac
Michael Mudge
Michael Wilson
Sarah Brueckner
Jonathon Toon
Alison Quodling
Amy Moffatt

Thank you for putting up with me and I hope the experience was a good one.

I will keep this website on, as long as I can, you can also head on to my personal website and read about what’s happening with me. I’ll still be on my old email and mobile if you need to get in touch.

‘Change is the only constant’

Time of changes…

George — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:05:55 +0000

We’ve been through some exciting times here at The Alchemist. Michael (our original resident geek) got offered a job at Google in San Francisco, and then the next geek, Jonathon got offered a job at Facebook! Victoria moved on to a better job, and now Amy joined us, taking over Victoria’s responsibilities.

George started university (full-time) this February at Massey, studying towards his Post Graduate diploma in design. There are some updates due here, but we’re taking our time going through it, but it’ll come eventually once things settle down a bit.

George is also preparing for the New Zealand Art show in August. If you’re going to be in Wellington he would appreciate seeing you there.

Actu8 (George’s November 2011 exhibition) was a big success. Lots of positive feedback and growth there. We’ll try to update the ‘About’ page at some point, till then… be safe.

The Nature of Living

George — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:26:33 +0000

The Nature of Living – an experiment of generative visuals is the work of our colleague Jonathon Toon, created as a part of his degree in Media and Interaction Design at Victoria University of Wellington.

The experiment named as “The Nature of Living” is inspired by the creative techniques and ‘Visual Music’ and ‘Synaesthesia’, as Jonathon explains on his blog.

His presentation was also featured on ProDesign, a New Zealand design magazine.

He uses a wall projector, along with an infra-red camera connected to ‘Max/MSP Jitter’ a visual programming language for music and multimedia. The software uses the input form the infra-red camera (based on the velocity and mass in front of it to create abstract expression of the person’s experience. Cool eh?

We are so proud.

All the best JayTee.

Downstage 2009 AR

George — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 01:41:01 +0000

Downstage Theatre Annual Report 2009
Client: Downstage Theatre.

8pp + including cover. Full colour.

Brief: Downstage Theatre is a not for profit company dedicated to presenting contemporary New Zealand Theatre, in all its facets. Their programming is designed to attracts new audiences through their diverse programming. The Annual report needs to reflect the diversity that happens within.

Happy Birthday

George — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:25:39 +0000

This weekend we celebrate 5 years of The Alchemist. Around this time five years ago I decided to start the company. There were lots of options when I quit my old employer, but I really wanted to give this a go. It’s been hard sometimes, but it’s been relatively good. The small company that started in a house in Karori, is now, in a proper, purpose-divided office. We have a front gallery and things are looking bright.

I want to thank all my previous colleagues, who are, for different reasons away or don’t work with us anymore.

Chronologically they are:

Neal Sandbrook
Tony Anderson
Antony Brown*
Hannah Ngai
Victoria Kay*
Michael Mudge
Anoushka Isaac
Michael Wilson
Jonathon Toon*

I also want to say thanks to Paul Chapman, Sarah Brueckner, Alison Quodling, Paul Ballard and Tobias Eschment.

Happy Birthday.

* Still working at The Alchemist.

Solve Create Grow

George — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:31:55 +0000

Statement of Investment Outcomes 2008/09
Client: Foundation for Research Science and Technology.

40pp + cover document. Full colour.

Brief: Design and layout the A4 document to showcase the work of the Foundation and its investment drivers which support economic growth of New Zealand, strengthen innovation capability and delivery of public, good science. The document contains success stories from different sectors in New Zealand Industry, which were funded and encouraged by the Foundation.

PDF on FRST Website

Downstage Season I

George — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:12:12 +0000

Downstage Theatre 2010 Season One Brochure.
Client: Downstage Theatre

8 panel, roll-fold brochure. 60cm wide by 28 cm high.

Concept, design and layout by The Alchemist, along with extensive digital photo retouching and manipulation to achieve the desired effect of colourful and varied theatre.