I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support. Not only have our business sponsors donated money, many have agreed to help with distribution on the magazine. Thanks to everybody! we are so close to reaching our goal!


Spring in Christchurch is a magazine about the stories and ideas of the people of Christchurch.
Last year in December my interest in landscape photography inspired me and a group of friends to spend two weeks roadtripping the South Island of New Zealand. Although it wasn't planned, we spent the very last day of our trip wandering through the demolished streets of Christchurch, expecting to find an abandoned city. What we found however, was an astonishing amount of life - and love - that could only be described as 'springing up from the wreckage'. We discovered that only recently people in Christchurch have begun to come together to develop projects that will help rebuild the city. Some of the projects, such as the storage city, were meant to be only short term solutions to combat the economic downfall in Christchurch. However, there were projects and people showcasing ideas for more permanent plans to re build the city. The devastation caused by the earthquake has also cultured an atmosphere of design and innovation, and is creating a buzz for designers and architects all over the world.

This project is about designing a magazine that encourages positive growth as well as sharing ideas that can be beneficial to the city's rebuild. The magazine will be distributed throughout Christchurch and Sydney, with the hopes that it will inspire and raise awareness for Christchurch's situation.

I have had this vision for over a year, but it started to become a reality a month ago as my final project for college. As a design student, I needed to take on a project that was beneficial to humanity and allowed me to use my skills as a designer. Together with my friend Leon Sidik (photographer) we plan to travel to Christchurch for a week in April and immerse ourselves in its culture of growth.

A wall mural adjacent to a demolished building site - People have painted and put up colourful flags in the streets


The project will be made up of 5 segments which will appear in the magazine- they will all be focused on learning and the sharing of opinions.

1. Getting to know the Residents
The first part of the project is getting to know the locals on the streets of Christchurch. This involves talking to the everyday people and getting an inside into their lives, to see how they interact with and enjoy the city.


Rekindle - A shop that uses waste wood from demolished sites to create beautiful furniture, jewellery and ornaments. A collaboration with Canterbury University students.


2. Getting behind the ideas
Next I want to set up interviews with the people behind the projects- council workers, volunteers and uni students. I want to understand their design processes and where their ideas have come from, so I can share and inspire others.

3. Polling
A less poetic way of acquiring hard facts. This will take form of a survey, but don't cringe yet - there will be lots of interesting questions and even a competition to win awesome prizes. In the magazine, these facts will serve to develop a funky infographical masterpiece.


4. Personal Reflection.
By blogging my progress I can use another form of media to share the opinions that I have heard. I will blog my heart out on my site, as well as Facebook and instagram. A collection of my personal experiences will appear in the magazine.




5. Taking Portraits
Photography is an important tool for giving a visual element to this stage of progression for Christchurch. My good friend Leon will be taking portraits and street photography for that human element, as well as gathering stories and quotes to go with the photographs. We also want to create a photo book for people who sponsor us (see our rewards). Please check out Leon and my photography here:
Leon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leonsidik/
Bronte: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brontelockwood/

Leon is an extremely talented photographer.

The magazine will be printed in June-July, which totals a 4 month project. Many people are already interested in sponsoring us in this endeavour, and the enthusiasm and passion that we have for the cities redevelopment is spreading. I would like to thank all of the individuals and business who have already pledged to help this idea become a reality.

Also a big thank you to Raffles College of Design and Commerce, and Bob Chung, who will be helping me through the entire process.

A basic timeline of our project

Okay, So we are looking to raise around $3000, which is approximately what we need to cover our printing and marketing costs for the magazine. The more we raise, the more copies we can print.

$2000 Magazine printing -
Using recycled paper in China at approx. 1.26 per booklet, which will be distributed to around Sydney and Christchurch. Our goal is to raise money from donations for printing, that way we will be able to distibute the magazine for free or at a very low cost. Basically what we are doing is not-for-profit, we would just like the opportunity to spread the word about the amazing things that are happening in Christchurch.

$500 for Marketing-
including cards, brochures and surveys to be distributed in Christchurch.

$500 overseas costs-
Including food, petrol and utilities for a week (yes we can live quite cheaply!)

We have absorbed the costs of our airfares (around $850) and accommodation (staying with family and friends)

Christchurch's Cathedral Square - December 2013

Wow! we have reached our target and it's all thanks you you. Many of the obstacles that we had have now been sorted out on our journey, although we still are still faced with potential problems. How do we organise all of the data we have collected into a magazine that has never been created before? What is the right design to best capture our philosophy? how do we print the magazine? What is our business solutions for distribution? so many questions!! All I know is that now we have reached our goal we are destined for great things! The rest will just fall into place.