Introducing the 2025 Awards of Excellence Judging Panel
We would like to say a massive thank you to our Judges for the 2025 Sign Display Awards of Excellence!
This year we will have four judges lending their expertise for the Awards, as current NZSDA President Shae Goom will be handing over the reins to incoming President (current Vice President) Logan Sutton. It is a rare opportunity to have two exceptionally knowledgeable award winners on the judging panel. Joining Shae and Logan are our two guest judges, Corey Fleet and Nick Kapica.
Shae Goom
NZSDA Outgoing President
NZSDA Outgoing President
Shae Goom is the current NZSDA President, stepping into the role of immediate past President in June 2025. As President, Shae has been involved in the judging process more than once, and prior to this has won many awards in his capacity as Managing Director of Wise Studios Wellington and Wise Studios Auckland. As a second-generation signwriter with over two decades in the industry, Shae’s experience is invaluable and we a delighted to have him offer his assistance as a judge for one final year.
Logan Sutton
NZSDA Incoming President
Logan in the current Vice President and incoming President of the NZSDA. He is also the Creative Director of Future Grafix, a multi-award-winning sign shop in New Plymouth. At age 18, Logan partnered with his uncle to open Future Grafix. Twenty-four years later, Logan has transformed the business into the successful and innovative signage company it is today. Logan now runs the business alongside his wife Krystal.
Corey Fleet
New Guest Judge
New Guest Judge
Corey is joining us as a new guest judge, bringing a fresh perspective to the judging process. He is a seasoned signage professional with 29 years in the industry. He has worked for many well-known signage companies, before founding Smudge Signs in 2009 with his wife Kylie. He has a deep passion for all things signage related and has a particularly strong background in technical design and all things fabrication. After building Smudge into a successful, innovative company, Corey and his wife Kylie decided to take a new direction, starting Fleck NZ, a C02 laser cutting/engraving, plastic fabrication and 3D printing business dealing directly with the trade.
Nick Kapica
Returning Guest Judge
Returning Guest Judge
Nick joined the judging panel for the first time last year and did such a great job we asked him to come back again for 2025. Nick is an independent consultant with a transdisciplinary approach that blends graphic, spatial, and urban design to craft holistic experiences within the built environment. His journey began in London’s fringe theatre scene before studying in Visual Communication at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. He worked for The Independent Newspaper before his curiosity led him to Berlin during the 90s, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the vibrant club scene and later establishing the design studio SV Associates.
Find out more about the awards and how to enter them on the official awards website here!
