Pageant publicity eye catching

WINNING WORK: Simon Johnson outside Waipu Museum with his billboard design for the Waipu pageant.

Signs and banners for the Waipu Grand Pageant have become part of the district’s landscape. You can’t miss the distinctive and dramatic display boards on Cove Rd, Langs Beach and in Mangawhai, while Waipu Centre features pageant-inspired street banners. Signs will soon also appear in Whangarei streets.

The designs are the work of Simon Johnson, Waipu Museum’s inhouse graphic designer, in conjunction with museum manager Patsy Montgomery. They feature scenes from the 2003 pageant, along with the logo from the original 1953 centennial celebrations – the evocatively drawn migrant family group.

Originally employed to work on the museum’s new exhibition displays several years ago, Simon is now involved with museum administration and promotional work. His work can be seen in event publicity from historical displays to Art n Tartan Week – and for community activities as well.

Patsy says Simon’s skills have been invaluable to the museum and have enabled it to present a very professional face to the world. Having Simon meant they could do all the pageant brand development ‘in-house’.

“We all get to enjoy, observe and participate in the creative process,” adds Patsy. “We have also been able to help other community groups when they need to put together something that has strong visual presentation.”

Simon’s computer design skills have not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Waipu Museum was one of three finalists in the 2009 Museums Aotearoa Innovation Achievement Awards. Speaking about Waipu Museum’s entry, Phillipa Tocker of Museums Aotearoa said the submission, which involved Simon's wonderful layouts and presentation, was superior to some of New Zealand's largest museums.