Behind the scenes at the Beeb

A short-but-sweet brochure touting the BBC Post-Production Media Solutions team. They’re a group of creative post-production artists and expert technicians who can bring some magic dust to TV programmes, or advise clients how to set up and make the most of their own facilities. totalcontent’s words persuasively put over the breadth of service and depth of talent for hire, while the design by Blast brought some understated style to the project.

You are here

Throughout December, shoppers in the West End of London are being guided along their way by a new and innovative pedestrian wayfinding system created by those clever chaps at AIG. Called ‘Legible London’, it’s a prototype for a scheme that could be rolled out across the capital over the next few years. Aimed at increasing the number of journeys made on foot, and transforming London into one of the world’s most walking-friendly cities by 2015, the system uses interlinking signage, printed and digital maps, and online guides, to help pedestrians understand the complex maze that makes up the city.

To explain the thinking behind ‘Legible London’, a document called the ‘Yellow Book’ was published. I wrote a 6,000-word essay outlining the aims, theories and stories that resulted in the prototype, and spent several days at AIG helping Tim Fendley and the rest of the team produce the ‘Yellow Book’ and an accompanying web site.

We all got there in the end...

Puppy love

Blast created the D&AD award-winning identity and literature for leading media recruitment specialists Harrison Pursey back in 2004, and this year were charged with creating a suitably spectacular corporate brochure to follow-up. They didn’t disappoint. Their ‘search and seek’ doggie theme was taken to the max, with a plump orange rosette on the front and a binding based on a studded dog collar – plus plenty of canine capers inside. With the design so ‘out there’, totalcontent’s role was to keep the writing light and elegant, and to go easy on the dog puns. The balance works well – an easy-flowing read with plenty of compelling visual gags.

Black and white and Pink all over

The 2008 Thomas Pink ‘look book’ takes the brand back to its roots, focusing firmly on the retailer’s expertise in shirts. The new approach and introduction of the discerning ‘Mr Thomas Pink’ character was the brainchild of Yellowdoor, Mary Portas’ fashion/retail agency. totalcontent developed a tone of voice to complement the new direction, supplying descriptions of Pink’s different styles and cuts of shirt, and highlighting the fine details that set them apart. Our words sat alongside a lyrical passage on the delights of Jermyn Street by author and screenwriter William Boyd.

And the winner is...

Once again, I'll be enjoying the cut, thrust and heated debate of Design Week Awards judging this year. As part of the Print jury, I'll be casting a writerly eye over the thousands of hopeful entries over two long, but satisfying days. It's a perfect way to reacquaint myself with some of the best graphics of the past year and meet yet more luminaries from the world of design. My fellow jurors in 2007 include Bryan Edmondson of Sea Design, Ben Casey of The Chase, Greg Quinton of The Partners, and Nat Hunter of Airside. And then of course, there's the glittering Awards night itself at the Hilton to look forward to.