The Bermuda National Gallery and Goslings Rum have teamed up to launch their second Annual Holiday Wrapping Paper Design Competition.
Artists and designers are invited tosubmit designs for a holiday-inspired wrapping paper which will be produced in time for the upcoming festive season and sold at the Goslings Dundonald Street and Front Street stores and via the Bermuda National Gallery online shop.
This year, in celebration of the launch of Goslings’ Flora Duffy Rum and in honor of Bermuda’s newest National Holiday, we ask designers to take inspiration from Flora Duffy’s historic success as Bermuda’s first Olympic gold medal winner.
The competition is open to professional and amateur artists alike and will be split between two age categories: 18-25 and 26 and over. There is a cash prize of $500 for each category. Both winners will also receive a private tour and rum tasting for up to 10 friends at the Bermuda National Gallery, a BNG membership and 10 sheets of wrapping paper.
In addition to this, the winner of the 18-25 category will receive a Bermuda National Gallery Mentorship which includes meeting with local art and design professionals, and the opportunity to be involved in upcoming BNG exhibition design as well as a Goslings Rum Mentorship in Brand Development, giving the winner an insight into how Goslings maintains and advances their brand identity.
The two winning designs will be featured in the windows of the Goslings Front Street store and on both the Bermuda National Gallery and Goslings Rum social media platforms.
The deadline for entry is midnight on Sunday, November 7. The winners will be announced on Monday, November 15.
This contest is open to Bermudian nationals residing both in Bermuda and overseas and residents in Bermuda who have been living on island for 6 months or more.
Must be age 18 or older at the time of application.
Submission is limited to one design per applicant.
Employees of the BNG and Goslings are not eligible to enter.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
There are key concepts of the 2021 Holiday Wrapping Paper Competition that the organizing committee would like you to incorporate into the design:
Design must be inspired by Flora Duffy and her historic win
Please note that the Olympic rings cannot be included as these are trademarked. Designs which include the rings will be automatically disqualified.
Design must work as a repeat pattern
Print size: 25.5” x 19”
Include a 0.125” bleed on all four sides.
Submission can be lower res for emailing and judging purposes; if chosen, final art for production should be 300 dpi at size.
Include with entry any ideas for varnish or finishing techniques.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Entrants must follow @bermuda_nationalgallery and @goslingsrum on instagram to be eligible for entry. Alternatively, those who are not on social media must sign up for the BNG e-newsletter at www.bng.bm.
Entries without a complete application form and who do not follow both Instagram accounts will not be eligible for inclusion in the competition.
Entries received after midnight on Sunday, November 7 will not be counted.
PRIZES
There are two age categories: 18-25 and 26 and over.
The winners will be contacted directly and announced on Monday, November 15.
Both winning designs will be put into production and sold at the Goslings Dundonald Street wine shop and the Goslings Front Street store.
There is a cash prize of $500 for each category.
Both winners will also receive a private tour and rum tasting for up to 10 friends at the Bermuda National Gallery, a BNG membership and 10 sheets of wrapping paper.
In addition to this, the winner of 18-25 category will receive a Bermuda National Gallery Mentorship which includes meeting with local art and design professionals and the opportunity to be involved in upcoming BNG exhibition design, plus a Goslings Rum Mentorship in Brand Development, giving the winner an insight into how Goslings maintains and advances their brand identity.
Winners will have the right to use their wrapping paper design as part of their design portfolio.
The winning designs will be featured in the Front Street facing windows of the Goslings Front Street store and on both the BNG and Goslings Rum social media platforms. Winners will also be showcased on the Bermuda National Gallery website and in their arts newsletter.
JUDGING
The winners will be chosen by a selection committee who will pick their favorite design from each category.
The committee will be formed by competition organizers and include island arts professionals.
Designs will be judged anonymously.
NOTE: All judging will be based solely on the designs. Submissions will be posted to social media through the organizers. All entrants will automatically be added to the Bermuda National Gallery e-mail list and will receive their fortnightly arts newsletter.
London based artist and interior designer Catherine White, who was born and raised in Bermuda, credits “looking back from afar” with bestowing her a unique perspective on our island’s natural beauty.
Catherine worked for the renowned British architect Norman Foster – the mind behind The Gherkin, one of London’s most recognisable landmarks – before setting up her own studio ten years ago. The modernist approach of her design work is echoed in her art practice which translates Bermuda’s rich organic textures through a minimalist lens.
Originally intended as a reference for her interiors clients, Horseshoe Rock (Colour Study) is a working sample for the first in a series of Bermuda inspired rugs. Although not conceived as an artwork, the study, in which the jagged layers of limestone are reduced to striking bands of colour, holds its own in Illusion & Abstraction: Capturing the Landscape, the rich texture inviting the viewer to take a closer look.
We caught up with Catherine to discuss how she turned a photograph, taken on a morning beach walk, into an eye-catching rug and how her work aims to “delve into the essence of the island.”
Clockwise from top left: Leafy Screens by Marion Watlington-Vorley, 2000. Water colour on paper; In My Life #12 by Catherine Lapsley, 2015. Acrylic on canvas; Horseshoe Rock (Colour Study), by Catherine White, 2012-2016. Tibetan brash wool; Untitled by Otto Trott, c.2005. Oil on canvas.
BNG: The design was inspired by a walk along Horseshoe Bay. Could you please tell us about this?
CW: Walking along the coast and secluded beaches, I happened upon a rock which had quite a few different colours, which had interesting colour adjacencies. I was really inspired by these pairings that you find in nature that you wouldn’t necessarily think to put together. The vibrancy of the algaes and the contrast of the oxidised limestone strata. I thought these colours would make a beautiful rug, so decided to develop further.
A reference photograph of the rocks which inspired the design.
BNG: The colours are inspired by the natural tones found in the limestone rocks at Horseshoe Beach. How did you go about matching these?
CW: I sketched out the concept, and then chose colours I thought most representative of the essence of each colour band. The negative space of “white” in these pieces is the development of a technique of rendering sketches in my early interior design practice. Scanning in a line drawing, and then filling in the negative space into blocks of colour to render the sketch. I always liked the aesthetic of removing the dark sketch lines and letting the planes of colour speak for themselves, further abstracting the drawing. In this instance it allows the colours to have their own space, whilst retaining a relationship with the original rock.
I created an initial sketch using Photoshop, and then when developing the actual rugs with the suppliers, I chose commercially dyed colour reference “poms” for one version, which were extremely close to the colour match on the sketch. For another version, I was much more limited in colour due to the technique of dying the wool with natural dyes. So I diverted a bit from the original, and chose colours which worked together to create the essence of the piece, and also choosing silks to accentuate the deep red colour as well as the solid black.
Horseshoe Rock rug by Catherine White.
BNG: The piece on display in Illusion & Abstraction: Capturing the Landscape is in fact a colour study for a (much larger) rug. Could you please explain the purpose of this swatch in developing the rug?
CW: This piece is a working sample. Intended as a reference for designers and clients, there is a scale sample of what I consider an interesting portion of the rug, showing the thickness of the lines, and texture of the rug. The squares alongside the pattern are colour references for the rest of the design which enables the specifier to colour match other elements of the intended installed space.
BNG: It was never intended to be an artwork yet it perfectly encapsulates Line, Shape & Form, one of the sections in Illusion & Abstraction: Capturing the Landscape. How does it feel to see it displayed alongside the other works in the exhibition?
CW: I feel very honoured! I am so grateful that through technology I can visit the exhibition and see the other works. Such a beautiful range of techniques. I also think design has a real place in the oeuvre of “art”, so I am proud to be able to represent that. My work intends to evoke a feeling and for me personally, a memory, not only to provide something that is aesthetically pleasing.
The rug at Blackburne Place, home to James and Katie Berry.
BNG: Horseshoe Rock was the first rug that you produced. Could you please talk us through the process?
CW: It was quite a few years from concept (maybe 3?) to even start developing the first samples. I was in New York and always knew I wanted to work with ABC Carpet and Home as they have such a vast collection and work with designers all over the world. I popped into their showroom on Broadway and started the process. Alongside that process I worked with a supplier in the UK on another version which is more graphic and can be easily modified to different colour palettes. I’ve already created a few versions of the original piece as it lends itself to customisation.
BNG: You have also produced prints inspired by the same design. Which came first, the rug or the print? How did the two mediums feed into the design?
CW: The print came first. Whilst developing the concept, it struck me that the design would look wonderful as a screenprint. Thinking along the lines of accessibility, affordability and sustainability, I decided to create giclee print. This way I would not be limited on colours, could create an archival piece of art on beautiful stock, whilst not “over” printing, and storing excess prints that may not sell immediately. This also kept the cost down as keeping the colours to a minimum, in hopes that the work would be accessible to more people.
Horseshoe by Catherine White, Giclée print on Hahnemuhle Museum Etching paper.
BNG: You have designed a couple of different rugs, each one inspired by abstract details found in the Bermuda landscape. Have you always examined and abstracted the natural world around you in this way?
CW: I have always appreciated the natural forms of Bermuda and the colours, but I suppose the reflection on these has become more advanced from about 2000 onwards as I now spend the majority of my time in London, UK. I especially like delving into the details as you call it, or essence of the island, so as to evoke a feeling, emotion or memory.
When it comes to design “doing the safe thing is actually the most risky thing you can do” says Sami Lill, founder of award-winning Hamilton based creative agency Uber Super Duper.
The creative director, who counts Sony and IKEA amongst his clients alongside numerous local businesses, stresses the importance of taking risks and connecting with people in order to stand out in today’s competitive landscape.
We caught up with Sami, a judge and mentor for the first annual BNG x Goslings Annual Wrapping Paper Design Competition, to discuss how young designers can get their foot in the door and why mentorship and practical experience are key to a career in the creative field.
Above: Winning designs by Jonathan Marc Boden (left) and Kayley Gibbons (right). Top: Sami Lill photographed by Meredith Andrews.
BNG: Uber Super Duper is a multi-disciplinary creative agency. Could you please tell us a little bit about the company and what you do?
SL: Uber Super Duper is a creatively focused, strategically driven, modern version of an ad agency. Gone are the days when brands can simply make a few generic print ads, basic web banners and a couple of spots on TV. Today we have a fragmented media market, where consumer touchpoints can be anything – the list of ingredients on the back of your bottle, your monthly newsletter, the clothing design of your staff, the wall by your parking lot, the look of your delivery vans, your packaging, as well as all the traditional touchpoints. It’s all fair game and it takes confidence on behalf of a client to dare to change things up to stand out.
We work with strategy, design and communication (as well as many related fields – like murals, animation, sculpture, digital, video, installations), to help brands stand out in a today’s crowded marketplace. As competition has grown in Bermuda, it has shifted things from long term monopolies to a dog eat dog world. Today it’s a zero sum game – where one brand’s gain is another’s loss. This means it’s even more important to view the process of storytelling and marketing from the right perspective to start with – the consumers point of view.
Traditionally clients tend to simply see things from their own viewpoint – a fundamental marketing mistake, where they don’t spend enough effort to understand their audience’s needs. Instead, they consider their story from the inside out. Yet the consumer today is actively choosing brands that share their mindset and can engage them on a human level. This is why most marketing efforts fail and are wasted opportunities. The customary, bland corporate mumbo jumbo is not fooling anyone, yet it is often what the board of directors feels comfortable approving. In this respect, doing the ‘safe’ thing is actually the most risky thing a brand can do.
At Uber Super Duper we identify the unique selling proposition and use psychology and insights to find opportunities to connect with people, and to deliver an emotional message in the most creative way we can. Ultimately, the consumer only changes their behavior through emotional triggers. Information alone makes for very ineffective and forgettable communication.
BNG: You originally set up Uber Super Duper after moving from London to Sweden. The company then moved to Bermuda several years ago. How does the design landscape differ in each of these locations and in what ways has this influenced you?
SL: In Sweden we worked with big clients – like Sony and IKEA. It afforded us the luxury of bigger resources and bigger, more global productions. Pushing the envelope is easier when the is more time to experiment and when the clients are more experienced in buying creativity.
In Bermuda we naturally have a smaller market and more limited scope. But we are excited to have gotten some great clients on our roster, who value the creative output and appreciate going against the grain. It can be strangely liberating to have to adapt to restrictions. It forces one to think outside the box and use creative leverage instead.
Time lapse mural greeting by Uber Super Duper.
BNG: You were on the selection committee for the first annual Goslings X BNG Holiday Wrapping Paper Design Competition. What were the judges looking for?
SL: The judges looked for a mix of suitably strong graphics and good branding. Wrapping paper is a traditionally bland area, but one that is rife for innovation. It was a tough call, and there were many good designs.
BNG: What made the two winning designs stand out?
SL: Understandably, we had many similar entries, using the famous seal icon to rather similar effect. The winning entries stood out because they had a combination of meeting the brief and being produced in a way that was suitable for the occasion.
BNG: Do you have any tips for people who may be interested in applying for the competition next year?
SL: For people entering next year, I’d say go big. Don’t just go for the obvious solutions, try something different. You know many others will probably go for the same obvious idea as you – and they’ll probably execute it better than you. Fight your own battle.
We had several designs that were based on strong ideas, but in some cases the production skills weren’t quite there. There are lots of free resources online, that can guide the production of a design – YouTube tutorials, online forums, masterclasses, etc. If you can afford it, Photoshop and Illustrator are great canvases for making something awesome.
Cardboard characters by Uber Super Duper.
BNG: What do designers need to take into account when designing for a specific client?
SL: In general, a good starting point for designers is to think of the outcome first and work backwards. What do I want to achieve? How can I position myself differently against the competitors? What would make me stand out to customers? What would I as a human being like to see? What engages me and makes me laugh?
Surprisingly often, I meet designers who don’t really like their own work. They ashamedly skim through a portfolio, prefixing their own work with an excuse, saying something like “Well, this is what the client wanted…” Or “We were told to do what the competitors did”.
The truth is that if it doesn’t tickle you, it probably won’t tickle anyone else either. This is where gut instinct and brutal honesty comes in. At the end of the day, it’s our job as designers to not only come up with a great solution, but also to persuade the client to buy into it. Many designers simply give up too soon, when faced with resistance from a risk-averse or unsure client.
BNG: How do you and your team approach a brief?
SL: We have an unapologetically opportunistic approach. As restless, curious thinkers we do a lot of talking, experimenting, research and sketching. We try hard and fail a lot. Then we fail better. We spend the time to explore. We try hard to generate a large quantity of ideas – because there is nothing quite as destructive as settling on the first solution that fits the bill. Good really is the enemy of great.
Details matter. In a world where the consumer is inundated with an endless stream of brand messages and mechanically scrolls past 99% of content – you really need something simple and impactful to make them stop.
Technology is great. The digital world is truly mesmerizing, but it requires a new kind of finesse in crafting. Granted, it can make good things grow faster. But it also makes a bad story worse (look at how a single bad online review can break a business). It really pays for brands to get this right.
BNG: Design is the meeting point between art and commerce. How does good design strike that balance?
SL: In communication, design is just the vehicle for the idea, for conveying an emotion or feeling. Most of the time it’s simply a means to an end. It’s the strength of the idea that ultimately resonates and builds connection and loyalty. For a very long time, design in itself has been put on a pedestal and has been used as a substitute for solid, strategic thinking.
The most valuable thing creative agencies can ever give clients are good ideas (which, of course, need to be executed in suitably good ways).
Lecture Visualizations by Uber Super Duper.
BNG: Part of the prize for the winner of the 18-25 category is a mentorship with BNG and Goslings. You will be working with them as one of the mentors. Why is mentorship so important?
SL: Mentorship is really the bridge between theory and practice. I’ve met countless Bermudian graduates who are back in town, bright eyed and bushy tailed, but who have quickly realized how limited their local creative options are. Art college and university are vital boosts of inspiration and provides impetus and time to build a first portfolio. But without practical experience of working on real life briefs, processes and productions, it can be very hard to get a foot in the door. It can be a rude awakening. And it often pushes new creatives into other employment.
Which is why a good mentor can be invaluable. Through honest advice and empathy, they can cut to the chase about how to stand out and what skills to hone. At Uber Super Duper we get many people contacting us about work, and we always try to make time to help others. We occasionally take on interns, to provide a real-life opportunity to gain insight and practical experience. The good news is that the ones that have the skillsets and mindsets will do well.
BNG: Have you had any mentors during your career? Who are they and how have they influenced you?
SL: After graduating art college, I did internships and placements in a number of top agencies before I got my first job in London. Getting the chance to work on live briefs, and to observe the process from start to finish made a huge impression on me. I learned the craft in these work scenarios.
In London ad agencies the Creative Directors and senior creatives were our de facto in-house mentors, often taking us under their wing and throwing challenges our way. How we responded, how hungry we were, was entirely up to us. The moral of the story here is – when you get a real opportunity, jump into it with energy and passion.
BNG: Why is collaboration such a key part of design?
SL: Strategic design and problem solving requires a particular mindset. Working with likeminded others is key to bounce ideas, and to experiment with various angles. The reason why agencies use creative teams, rather than individuals, is that 1 + 1 = 3. Often the process means we build upon the ideas of others. Without that ongoing, spontaneous input, the final idea might never have happened. Besides, being creative in a vacuum just isn’t as much fun!
I wish the very best for the next generation of creative thinkers. The rules have changed dramatically and it’s vital for their success to be open minded and remain opportunistic. If anyone wants advice, my door is always open.
