Tony Gordon…
Began working life at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency in Sydney as a photographic assistant learning the basics of studio lighting and being introduced to the world of the photographic darkroom.
In the late 60s Tony partnered in a photographic studio in Sydney's Strand Arcade focussing mainly on fashion.
His interest in photography led to becoming editor of the photographic magazine Camera Graphics which he co-produced in the early 70s. Tony joined Shree Media Pty Ltd in the mid 70s as a partner and art director, designing and publishing the lifestyle magazines Simply Living and Blackmore's Nature & Health Journal.
In 1985 Tony was offered the opportunity to help Dick Smith create a new magazine to be called the Australian Geographic Journal. Artwork was produced in the traditional way – by hand, using waxed galleys of typesetting and Letraset. Then in 1989 the Apple Mac revolutionised the publishing world. AG became the first mainstream publication to be produced entirely on a computer, it was printed in Japan on a gravure press from files supplied on disc. The advent of the digital age afforded the opportunity to relocate printing of the AG Journal to Australia, which up until that time was lagging behind in print technology and quality. Tony was able to explore the possibilities presented by the digital revolution and with the help and encouragement of a willing printer, introduced advanced technologies like stochastic screening, waterless printing, and computer-to-plate (CTP) to the AG magazine and book workflow. This soon became 'best practice' for magazine production and printing in Australia.
During his 17 years as creative director at Australian Geographic Tony oversaw the design and production of a long list of book titles along with the journal itself, and with the addition of over 50 retail stores there was an added requirement for many kinds of published material – from catalogues to calendars, diaries, cards, maps and posters, and a substantial amount of packaging and point-of-sale material.
In 2000 Tony was given the opportunity to develop a new popular science magazine, Newton Graphic Science. His role as publishing director/creative director required sourcing the editorial and design teams to produce the magazine and to maintain the high production values and visual content that had become synonymous with the AG Journal.
Since leaving Australian Geographic Tony's work revolves around freelance projects and print consulting. In 2002 Tony Gordon Printcounsel (TGP) was engaged to package Mortgage Brief, the bi-monthly trade magazine for the Mortgage Industry Assoc of Australia (MIAA) – responsible for writing, editing, design, ad sales, printing and distribution – doubling the ad sales and print run in the first 12 months. Since 2002 TGP has designed, produced and printed many brochures and advertisements for the travel industry – Aurora Expeditions, MyPlanet/Bentours and Adventure Associates.
Tony is a respected print consultant having been contracted to ensure print quality for blue chip companies like Westpac and Brambles Industries. Tony has been invited onto judging panels for various printing and production awards and has been the recipient of many Print Awards and industry Awards for Excellence including National Print Awards, the Heidelberg Australia Award and multiple individual gold and silver medals.
In 2007 Tony became a director of the boutique publisher Golden Gecko Press, publisher of the coffee table book The Ghan: Australia's Grand Rail Journey, which he designed and production managed.
In 2009 he was contracted as creative director/production manager for Kevin Weldon's publishing venture, Australia's Heritage Publishing (AHP). Among the first titles produced were the Macquarie Encyclopedic Dictionary Signature Edition, What Bird Is That?, and China: The New Long March.
Since 2012 TGP has produced books for boutique publishers like Cyclops Press, designed and produced catalogues and advertisements for Dick Smith Foods, designed product for Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, the Australian War Memorial, the Australian Geographic Journal, as well as designing various Corporate IDs and helping companies develop their Brand.
Tony joined Kevin Weldon again in 2015 as Advisory Board Member and Brand & Publishing Manager for The Ripper Group Pty Ltd – which introduced the Little Ripper UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or Drone) into the Australian Search and Rescue arena. Sponsored by Westpac Bank, the Ripper Group has partnered with companies like Telstra, Intel, Surf Life Saving Australia, UTS, CSIRO, WIRES and many more, to further the saving of life in Australia and around the world.
Currently Tony designs quality coffee table books, supervising the prepress and photo reproduction aspects, and managing the printing and shipping. He specialises in helping self-publishers bring their titles to fruition.
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