The NZSP Logo

The first suggestion that the Society should have a logo was made in May 1978, when it was decided to approach the schools of fine art to get advice about a design.

TAGS: logo, NZSP, 1978, design, branding


The first suggestion that the Society should have a logo was made in May 1978,  when it was decided to approach the schools of fine art to get advice about a design.  In October 1978 it was found an industrial planner would be too expensive.  By the end of 1979 some designs had been submitted by members,  and in 1980 Canterbury branch talked to a blockmaker,  who found none of the designs were suitable.  Designs were still being submitted in 1981,  by May 1981 the “Spiderman” design was approved and printed.

In January 1984 Erwin Drok produced a shield plaque,  and one was sent to each branch in May 1984.

A note in the Newsletter for October 1989 suggested that “spiderman” was dying,  and that the hand symbol was used more;  designs to replace “spiderman” were called for.  Despite the prize of a fee reduction for the “Horizons” Conference no designs were forthcoming,  and because of the poor response the competition was “shelved” in July 1990.

In 1994 it was noted that many branches were using the hand symbol on official documents,  where they should be using the Society’s logo.  As a part of the Marketing Plan in 1997 a new logo was designed,  and launched in August 1997[1].  It first appeared on the November 1997 Newsletter.  Some members did not like the new logo,  with letters to the Editor in both the October 1997 and December 1997 issues of the Newsletter.  Lee Gardiner replied explaining how difficult it was to please everyone.

At the 1998 AGM Erwin Drok asked for clarification on how the hand symbol should be used and when the Society Logo should be used.   Lee Gardiner pointed out that market research in New Zealand and in Australia had found that the hand symbol was not widely recognised by the public as belonging to physiotherapy.  The Australians were about to launch a new logo.

References to the NZSP logo in the Executive Minutes

  • 20-5-78 - Secretary asked to approach the schools of fine arts seeking their advice re the development of a logo,  and fees involved
  • 23-9-78  -It was decided an industrial planner,  which would be too expensive. Shelve in the meantime
  • 23-3-79 - Letter with suggested logo received from Grace Wilson
  • 24-11-79 - further logo designs submitted
  • 17-2-80-  Canterbury to talk to block maker re logo designs submitted
  • 20-9-80 - a third logo design is to be drawn,  and sent for a public survey,  provided cost is not more than $500  The block maker advised that all designs were of inferior quality  Approach an advertising agency,  if not more than $250 proceed with work
  • AGM 28-2-81 Logo designs still coming forward
  • 14-3-81 design approved and printing to go ahead.
  • 23-5-81 -printing of logo - $130 is approved.  It was decided not to allow any form of sponsorship on the stationery
  • 4-2-82 -Inquire into cost of producing stationery
  • 26-1-84 - PAPMA asked permission to use to logo on their letterhead.  It was decided all stationery should be printed centrally and branches could overprint their name on it.  The shield logo produced by Erwin Drok was approved and permission given for the production of this shield for distribution to Branches at a later date.
  • 24-3-84 - Society Logo plaques are ready for distribution
  • 17-2-85 - Australian logo - PRDC will supply sheets of the logo to Branches for assessment.
  • 29-3-85 - PRDC have printed another 000 small symbols.
  • 25-5-85 - permission was given to authorise the use of the symbol,
  • AGM 16-2-85 - PRDC remit that the NZSP adopt the symbol established and used by the APA. It will not replace or compete with the Society’s logo.
  • 26-7-85 - Good sales of the symbol - profit to go to professional help in PR.
  • 22-1-86 - Executive agreed that official bodies such as Branches,  Standing Committee and SIGs
  • should use the Society logo rather than the Physiotherapy logo
  • October 1989 - need new logo - ? spiderman is dying. The hand symbol is used more
  • 22-9-89 - present logo be  redesigned.  Designs should be submitted by the end of February 1990.  It will be a competition and winner will earn a refund on “Horizons” fee.
  • 3-3-90 -Members to be reminded to send logo designs
  • 23-6-90 - because of a poor responses logo competition will be “shelved” meantime.
  • 26-6-94 - a number of Branches were using the hand symbol, they should be using the Society’s logo on all official documents
  • 28-6-97 - discussion on proposed new logo;  to be referred to Bicultural Steering Committee
  • 9-10-97- discussion on logo.  Bicultural group approved,  part of Marketing Plan
  • AGM 17-5-98 - Erwin Drok asked for clarification on the use of the Physiotherapy  Hand symbol as opposed to the NZSP logo.  While the hand symbol was not being promoted as a NZSP logo there is still commitment to it from many physiotherapists.  It was noted that the Australian Physiotherapy  Association is about to launch a new logo,  and that marketing surveys by both the APA and the NZSP had shown that the hand symbol is not widely recognised by the public as pertaining to Physiotherapy

References to the NZSP Logo in the newsletter

  • November 1980 - a design received. When 3 received a public market survey will be conducted.
  • July 1990 - disappointingly few entries - will not pursue meantime.
  • February 1985 - AGM adopted hand symbol
  • October 1989 - need new logo - ? spiderman is dying. The hand symbol is used more
  • December 1989 - McMos has hand symbol labels.
  • March 1990 - Use hand symbol + Slogan.  Be sure to use correct colours.
  • July 1990 - disappointingly few entries - will not pursue meantime.
  • August 1997 page 5 - history of new logo and description of it.
  • November 1997 - welcome new logo on N/L first time
  • October 1997 - page 8.  Letter from B.Mulligan,  doesn’t like new logo,  reply L. Gardiner
  • December 1997 - 2 letters to Editor - one likes logo, one does not.
  • Reference in Journal  May 1979 - Designs being received.

[1] August 1997 page 5

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