Logan Smith is Co-Creative Director at design studio Sunday Best which he runs with his partner Georgia in Auckland.  They do brand strategy and creative direction for a range of brands – a combination of products, restaurants, cafes and lifestyle clients. Logan also does do the artwork for a brand Shark Week that he runs with a friend, and graphics for a few skate brands.  

Logan told us how his career unfolded; “After leaving Lindisfarne, I took a gap year to Scotland and spent the year travelling, playing sport and having fun in Europe. I also spent some time thinking about what I wanted to at university and beyond.  

I always did well academically at school and felt a real push to go down the path of chemistry, calculus etc. In NZ I guess we don't value music and the arts as much as we should. I also did well in Design and Miss Collins (now Mrs. Harland) helped me realise I can do my own thing rather than having to make things look a certain way. I felt like design was my escape or my break from the other subjects and on my gap year, it dawned on me that it was because that's what I loved. I found myself drawing and designing things in my free time but I wasn't thinking about science, maths or designing bridges or anything. 

I went to Massey Design School in Wellington and completed a Bachelor of Design with Honours. My major project on skateboarding and autism was well received and won me a couple of awards in New Zealand and in Germany.  

After uni, I got a job at a small agency in Wellington as an art director/graphic designer, did that for two years then decided to go out on my own. I did a bit of tutoring at the university while managing my own clients under my freelance venture - Smiddy's Studio. I stayed in Wellington until 2015 then I embarked for overseas again. 

I loved skateboarding and art as a kid. Skateboarding has always been big on a graphic, art and DIY culture.  My dad, Murray Smith (a Lindisfarne teacher), is also a really good artist. These combined helped influence my career choice.   

I love that people trust me with their ventures and I'm in a position to decide what people should do with their brands. I also just love making visuals of all types so it's very satisfying and scratches my itch in a way. I love the freedom of working for myself and running our own company. In a month we're going to Tokyo for 2 weeks. We can take off for long weekends and finish at 3pm if we want. It's cool. 

Some accomplishments in my life that I’m proud of to date include a couple of Best Design awards (NZ design awards).  Sitting in a room getting awards alongside people who have designed the winning Americas Cup boat was pretty epic.  Also collaborating with Chey Ataria (An NZ pro skater who started brands ABC and DEF) on a new range of skateboards and clothes to come out later this year, and of course running my own company and getting paid to do what I love. 

At school I learnt respect and to follow your own path.  I'm still super tight with at least 20 of the boys I went to school with – they’re friends for life. I’ve also made many business connections – quite a few of our clients with Sunday Best are ex-Lindisfarne boys.” 

To the boys at College today, “Don't feel the rush to get into University. If you don't know what you want to do, don't be afraid to take some time off and think about it. Remember that not everyone is

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Article added: Wednesday 06 November 2019