Fremantle Press designer recognised in national design award

Fertile Soil: 50 Years of the City of Fremantle Art Collection was shortlisted for the 2009 Museums Australia Multimedia and Publication Design Awards.

The book was designed by former Fremantle Press employee Tracey Gibbs and was shortlisted in the education category alongside its audio guide and brochure.

Entries were judged on their relevance of purpose, communication clarity and degree of usability.

Gibbs said she was chuffed to be shortlisted for the book’s design alongside the designer of the audio guide and brochure.

“I think it’s awesome, it’s a nice reward for such a diverse catalogue that was hard, but fun to work on,” said Gibbs.

Fertile Soil was published to mark the 50-year anniversary of the City of Fremantle Art Collection and accompanied a touring exhibition curated by André Lipscombe of the Fremantle Arts Centre.

Clive Newman of Fremantle Press said releasing the book in tandem with the exhibition was both a personal and professional honour.

“I worked at the Fremantle Arts Centre shortly after its establishment and was involved in many of the acquisitions for the collection, so seeing these artworks permanently recorded in a book is a huge thrill,” said Newman.

The Fremantle Art Collection is made up of over 1000 works and includes paintings, drawings, print media, assemblage, textiles and ceramics.

Fertile Soil features over 60 full-coloured images representative of Fremantle artists and their work. Each section is accompanied by an essay that’s been written by a well-known member of Western Australia’s artistic community.

The award ceremony will take place at the Newcastle City Hall on Monday 18 May 2009