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