The legendary designer Barrie Tucker, who has been responsible for some of Australia’s most dynamic and sophisticated wine packaging over the years, has passed away.
Barrie’s design career began in a Swiss advertising agency and he won international recognition as a freelance illustrator in London in the 1960s. He returned to Australia in 1970 to open his first studio in Melbourne.
The talented artist, sculptor, illustrator and designer founded Barrie Tucker Design (now Tucker Creative) in Adelaide and his clients included the who’s who of Australian wine.
The Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) described him as an “Australian graphic design legend”.
Barrie was a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale and a life fellow of the Design Institute of Australia. He was inducted into the Australian Design Hall of Fame in 2008 and was an Honorary Life Member of AGDA.
Prominent Adelaide designer David Bland remembered Barrie on LinkedIn as “one of the most talented, vibrant and respected designer I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with – and for”.
Andrew Roper of Wines to the Stars said on LinkedIn: “I met Barrie a few times in Adelaide when helping a couple of wineries to get their designs right for their premium markets. I always say that you are better off paying more for exactly how you envision your product to be, and Barrie was testament to this. Barrie was a design icon and a shining example of the word ‘quality’. Rest in peace.”
Barrie’s son, Jody, runs Tucker Creative, which designed the layouts and template for WBM – Australia’s Wine Business Magazine when it launched in South Australia in April 2005.
WBM editor Anthony Madigan described Barrie as a design genius and great character.
“Barrie took wine packaging to a whole new level of sophistication,” Anthony said.
“There is currently a big focus in the Australian wine industry on selling more wine at higher price points, but Barrie latched on to that philosophy decades ago and was hellbent on lifting the image of our premium wines.
“Barrie created so many striking labels and bottles over many years – his contribution was profound.”
Barrie’s portfolio of wine packaging included Para Liqueur Port: a custom made bottle featuring an elaborate emboss of the company’s logo complemented by 22 carat gold ceramic printing to the glass and paper labels.
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