Wednesday, December 10, 2014

What makes an icon?


What makes an icon?


By definition, an icon is a religious painting or statue, revered and held sacred. In modern usage the word has come to mean a symbol of a nation, community or cultural movement – an object of particular admiration. In graphic design’s lingua franca, an icon is an image, picture or representative symbol.

64 icons make up the ICONZ project. They are the evidence of a nation forming and developing over time – as symbols, household names and objects, animal, vegetable and mineral. The iconography reflects our unique location, origins, works of nature, politics, cuisine and way of life – from our farming heritage to our enthusiasm for sport and the outdoors – while also paying homage to the achievements of individual New Zealanders.

The core of the ICONZ project is the hardback book, ICONZ, showcasing 64 designed and illustrated graphic ‘icons’ by award-winning designer and illustrator, Belinda Ellis. Each occupies a double-page spread and has accompanying editorial. Richard Wolfe, author of many books on New Zealand popular culture, has contributed to the icons’ narrations. The book is published by Craig Potton Publishing, and retails for $19.99.

The book is released in conjunction with complementary wrapping paper, cards, tags, tee shirts, baby tees, tea towels, and aprons. Live Wires New Zealand Limited is manufacturing and distributing the stationery items; Mr Vintage, the tees, aprons, and tea towels.

A website – www.iconzlogos.co.nz – showcases the icons.

Through its suite of illustrated icons, ICONZ catalogues New Zealand’s popular culture and identity, celebrating the idiosyncrasies of our national self. It pays tribute to those things that make this country unique, and that we have made our own – our ‘kiwitanga’, our quintessential customs, artefacts, landscape and people.

There is an abundance of existing material brandishing ‘kiwiana’ in various guises, much of it kitsch. ICONZ’ point of difference is in its quality of design and production standards, as well as in its uniformity of look. ICONZ pushes past ‘kiwiana’, to depict iconic New Zealanders, Maoridom, cuisine, and pastimes, as well as comparable aspects of our flora and fauna. ICONZ truly will stand apart as a recognisable New Zealand brand

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