THE WEEK IN DESIGN 14

Wallpaper?

In a week of Spending, Budgets and Banking, (stories which can be picture challenged, or end up always looking the same), two pieces stood out:

The Conway/Jones head to head piece was a triumph.  The key to its success was the performance of the conversation, because the political/economic argument was central 

to the information.  It is rare to be able to maintain the connection in this way through design, but crucially here, the viewer feels that they are listening to a discussion, 

whilst the information is subtly reinforced by the design.  The overall treatment is very much in keeping with our economy brand development from Hard Times to Budget 2012.

As a process, this worked because the premise was questioned at every stage and the best solution found.

Carney BoE was an interesting project.  Was began life feeling like wallpaper to fill a hole, developed a strong premise through its writing.  Connecting this with some 

excellent camerawork really allowed design to develop a strong, consistent and relevant street art premise.  Imagery reinforces a picture challenged script and communicates 

in a way which manages to be both down to earth and high-brow.

DEVELOPING STORIES

When we need to produce something quickly, or when a story has developed and been running for a while, we should look at successful design already generated.

As the whistleblower story has developed, so has our design.  The last three weekly mails have contained strong designs which have demonstrated consistency and ownership, 

but have evolved the style.  The above design stands apart from all we have done to date.  Where it starts, with the flight path premise, is a fine idea, but it rapidly releases the conceit

and begins to look messy.  There's real difficulty here because in the above examples, which could be taken as wallpaper for picture challenged stories, the design reinforces the story.

In this example, the design is confused and so is the message.  We use an image of The White House to represent EU Offices in DC and NYC and this appears to suggest conversations 

may have been bugged there, which is not the case.  We need to be more careful than this.  Throw away imagery can have serious repercussions.

Stylistically, please refer back to previous guidance.  We do not use text with surround.  Be very careful in your use of colour and please look at what has gone before when designing 

for an ongoing story.  The example frames below have all been successful over the past weeks.

Inspiration this week comes via Alistair Bunkall; an excellent piece from the government on Treasury on Spending Cuts. It's clear and engaging and leaves you in no doubt as to the intention.  Crucially, it's not too high-brow, but the quirky nature does not make the user feel patronised.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-is-the-spending-round-video

CELEBRATE     DESIGN     EXCELLENCE

C.