Australia’s top designer Vince Frost elected to D&AD executive committee – Interactive designer Simon ‘Sanky’ Sankarayya named president

Simon ‘Sanky’ Sankarayya (left), co-founder of interactive agency Allofus, becomes President of D&AD today.  Elected by the Executive Committee, Sanky will act as a figurehead to the organisation that represents creative excellence in advertising and design internationally.  Outgoing President Paul Brazier steps down tonight having completed his 3-year term on the Executive Committee.

Australia’s top designer Vince Frost (below left), who designed D&AD’s members only Ampersand magazine, has been elected to the D&AD executive committee – the first Australian ever to get the nod.

Sanky’s first steps in design were as a graffiti artist.  He went on to study information design at the University of Nottingham, and joined Digit as an Art Director when it was founded in 1995.  He stayed there until he co-founded AllofUs in 2004.  Sanky has worked closely with D&AD over the last year on the development of its new website, which will launch at the end of this month.

“I want to act as a bridge between advertising and design, ensuring a’digital spine’ runs through all of D&AD’s activities,” saysSanky.  “I want to support new talent and give graduates the leg upthat they need and engage with smaller agencies and individuals thatare shaping our industry through a variety of smaller events and takinga fresh look at what we have to offer online.”

Sanky has spoken at Design Indaba, IDN conferences in Sydney andSingapore, Flash Forward, The Typographic Circle and Design Yatra inGoa.  He has also taught at the London College of Communication, HyperIsland in Sweden and Space Invaders in Copenhagen.

The following D&AD Members have been elected to the executive committee following elections in August:

Rosie Arnold, BBH

Mark Bonner, GBH

Neville Brody, Research Studios

Andy Cheetham, JWT

Bryan Clark, University College Falmouth

Vince Frost, Frost*

Steven Johnson, The Hub

Ben Priest, adam&eve

Mike Stephenson, Moon

Alexandra Taylor, Mrs McGuinty

Seal Toal, The Creative Rebellion

The following D&AD Members have stepped down from the Executive Committee:

Paul Brazier, AMV.BBDO

Mark Denton, Coy! Communications

Bill Mawhinney, BJL

Steve Mykolyn, Taxi

Greg Quinton, The Partners

Jane Scherbaum, V&A