On Friday 14th November 2025, the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) inducted Margaret Nolan, co-founder of global drinks branding agency Denomination, into its prestigious Hall of Fame in recognition of her enduring influence on Australian visual culture.
AGDA’s Hall of Fame honours those who have fundamentally shaped the story of Australian design through their vision, craft and contribution. Recipients must demonstrate a minimum of 35 years’ experience, significant and measurable impact, peer recognition and a consistent standard of excellence and innovation.
Danielle Molyneaux, General Manager AGDA, said: “Across four decades, Margaret Nolan has defined the craft of drinks packaging design. Her influence has shaped how the world sees Australian design as thoughtful, distinctive and world class.”
Rowena Curlewis, Margaret’s business partner and co-founder, says: “It is no exaggeration to say that Margaret is one of the world’s leading drinks designers. Her work is exceptional: ideas-led, highly distinctive, often disruptive, always beautifully executed. She has mentored and inspired countless designers and strategists to think laterally and keep the consumer at the heart of every solution. As a partner, she is driven, loyal, exacting, questioning, supportive, determined and laser-focussed. Her work has influenced how thousands of drinks brands are perceived and sold in Australia and internationally.”
In her speech at the AGDA Awards Ceremony, Margaret shared some sound advice: “In our modern age we are bombarded with imagery and messaging on social media. It is a loud, noisy visual world where brands compete at a frenetic level. However, the real world still exists- and in the real world there is a quiet space- the space between a consumer and your design. 71% of people buy wine by the look of the label. In these moments, nothing comes between the pack you have created and the consumer’s final choice. This is where “try me I am for you” comes into play most powerfully.”
Under Margaret’s creative and business leadership, Denomination has grown from its origins in Sydney (2002) to include studios in London (2014), San Francisco (2018) and New York (2024), employing more than fifty staff across four global offices.
Source: Denomination
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