ALLEN & UNWIN YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019
Winner
Katie Kerr
Katie Kerr is a graphic designer based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her practice focusses on the creation of books, publications and printed materials in the broad field of the contemporary cultural sector. She is interested in text and language and the space between the romantic and the rational.
Previously Head of Design at Alain de Botton’s The School of Life in London, she returned to New Zealand to complete her Masters of Fine Art at Ilam School of Fine Arts. Now, alongside designing for local and international clients, she runs GLORIA, an experimental publishing platform, with photographer Alice Connew. This platform functions as a research facility to explore the multidisciplinary production of paperback books. She also has a hand in Strange Goods, a new art book store on Karangahape Road, and The Directory of Women Designers.
Judges’ Comments Katie Kerr’s portfolio was consistently understated in its approach. She presented us with books small-in-scale but brave and experimental in both content and production value.
Title: Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by School of Life (Alain de Botton)
Title: Sportsman of the Year: A Suburban Philosophy by Jan Hellriegal
Title: Make Every Day by Rebecca Commisaris
Title: Bee Curious by Kantar & the School of Life
Title: Dirt by Gemma Walsh & Katie Kerr
Publisher: GLORIA
