BBC News 24

Hey there,

You may remember, just before the forum disappeared, that I shared with you my theory as to why TV news graphics at the moment are so cack. Silly me, I posted them just before it went so I only got one response, so I thought I might as well repost.

Anyway, what I believe is wrong with TV graphics these days is that there is too much focus on being big, bold and plain, and no room for creativity. Remember the old blue and orange Sky News graphics? The fantastic BBC News 24 flags? They were nicely designed and, more importantly, not over the top.

So I have come up with what I believe is a modern design for BBC News 24, although the graphics have been toned down so that they're not in your face. They're not revolutionary (they are definitely very BBC looking) and I have drawn inspiration from some of the flags graphics, but I think they would work well.

Titles
http://members.aol.com/bigbigbigbigphil/news24/titles.jpg
Self explanatory, really. I've tried to make them look modern, but I have also made sure that some element of thought and design has gone into it (ie. not just shoving some white text onto a plain background).

Astons
http://members.aol.com/bigbigbigbigphil/news24/aston1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/bigbigbigbigphil/news24/aston2.jpg
Again, self explanatory. I've decided there is no need to constantly remind the viewer what is being talked about with a big subject graphic (Sky's red blob etc). The astons are not just solid blocks of colour - again, I think that a little more creative flair needs to be injected into TV news.

Other graphics
http://members.aol.com/bigbigbigbigphil/news24/2way.jpg
An example of other graphics used.

And so, what do you think? I think mdta suggested making them red and black like current - erm, no. My idea is to come up with a *new* look, not a rehash of current. I absolutely hate the current look, it is evil and should be abolished. Think these graphics, a laid-back style (like when the channel first launched) and there you have it - my vision.

It reminds me of Newsnight ; so it is nice

I like these ones very much and they would look good on screen, as the current 'rhubarb and custard' look employed on BBC News is starting to go stale.

I would get rid of the N24 DOG though. I am not a fan of DOG's, but the clock should be spared.
The news headlines would probably seem a bit shocking to out younger viewers though.

Would you scrap the countdown then?

They're good, I love the aston and the titles (although they are a little Sky News-esque...). Just being picky - I think some of the text and the DOG may be slightly out of their safe areas. They're very good, though.

lol - it's a good thing Milo's Dad's gone!!

I love them, especially the Aston.

I do think that it's a bit crowded in the Breaking News screen. The Live Aston, Clock, Breaking News Aston and the text all around the same place is too much. I think maybe Live and Breaking News should move to the top while the Time and text stay where they are.

Nice choice of images Phil, oooh I am so glad Amanda is single again!

Nice mocks Phil BTW, especially the first one!

Great mocks Phil! I agree with Beeb2, it certainly reminds me too of Newsnight.

The first one is wonderful - it works very well.

Very nice but I notice the text is minute. It would certainly be very hard to read and I can't see the BBC now reducing the text size on astons etc.

I wonder just how they would look if the BBC's text size was used. I think the way it is now, if you stacked the info astons on top of each other, you would just be able to fit about 4 onto the screen.

: I've never seen the Teletubbies in Wolverhampton...

By the way, love the mocks

Good