Flow’s talented staff members have always had a good reputation with their clients, but it helps when independent authorities confirm these reports.
The latest Flowstar to receive such praise is our head of design, Tina Brown, who won two awards from the prestigious journal Graphis for her recent work for Sasol.
The awards were news to everyone, particularly Tina herself: “It was quite a surprise – I didn’t know the work had been entered!” she says. “It was a cool and groovy surprise on a Friday morning.”
Graphis, which is described as “an international bastion of excellence in design and visual imagery” on its website, is a journal that showcases the work of artists and illustrators. Every year a new panel of judges places the winning designs.
Tina won Silver Awards for the Sasol Annual Financial Statements and the Sasol Annual Review. “You have to think about getting information across in a more interesting way,” she says. Her “clean and simple” reports consisted of spreads with multiple images.
The use of information graphics is also important. For example, Tina created a Photoshop compilation that shows what Sasol produces, but in an interesting way.
Of course, you also have to make the design work for the client. “They have a pretty simple corporate identity, but they have a curve that you have to use. That curve is such a nightmare because you have to figure out how to use it.” Clearly, she mastered it in the end.
Her designs will now be published in the Graphis 100 Best Annual Reports 2012. “It’s not often that your work is in an international publication. I’m going to have to buy the book now, aren’t I?” she jokes.
