The clean, simple, direct modernism of Bret de
Thier’s posters and logos will be recognisable
to many. But wait – there’s so much more!
Curiosity, courage, hands-on learning from
a builder father, a mid-century Canterbury art
school education, and intuitive choices honed
through sailing, equipped de Thier to also
apply his creative energy to photography, yacht
interiors and architecture.
While the beautiful images in this elegant
book offer a visual feast in themselves, the
close reader will be rewarded with informative
insights into the philosophy and methodology
that led de Thier – a post-war, pre-computer,
globally-aware designer – to embrace a
challenging variety of opportunities.
Bret de Thier’s ‘no embellishments, just
pure function and attention to detail’ maxim
has been applied to shaping this memoir. The
outcome is an enjoyable record of a significant
body of work which provides an important
addition to the evolving history of Aotearoa
New Zealand’s creative enterprise.
– Michael Smythe MDM Author, New Zealand by Design