With a little bit of time on my hands, I knocked up the bare bones of my own little concept. It combines a Sky News inspired main graphic with a GMB inspired flipper. I didn't want to break with what's become a 'minimalist graphics challenge' tradition so have ensured Huw features in my work.
"If you can't beat them, join them". I saw David's idea, and decided to recreate and animate them. Thank for the idea, and for the permission to share my version.
This is far from perfect but I tried to box elements of the BBC News graphics to eliminate the 'white space' requested. I also used the same colours, red and white and an image based on the headline. Sorry there's no Serif in there, I couldn't get my hands on the font, but if I could I'd incorporate this in. I think it looks okay for now, and just gives a rough idea of how it could work on screen. I know the scale/alignment isn't all there ATM too.
There is a lot of talk about minimalist design, and many take the choice to remove the full width/full bleed straps, to make them take less space on the screen.
Now whilst this does mean the graphics take up less space, what you introduce - going against the minimalism goal - is introduce more visual clutter as you see the edges of boxes and rectangles on the screen.
Having all the elements contained into a cleaner space, achieves the simple effect on the eye.
Other questions to ask, are:
- What information is necessary to display at all times?
- What elements should be brought on as needed?
- How should elements be contained on-screen to avoid distractions?
- Do the elements animating on and off more often (to avoid "filling the screen" constantly) create a messy and busyness that wasn't there before?
- Does minimalism and simplicity get helped or hindered based on where elements are placed on screen. Bunched together in one area, or elements spaced out making each element clearer?
These are UK standards for the BBC and other broadcasters.
In an update to the old TV Forum safe areas guide, I've produced this based on these guidelines. It's a semi-transparent PNG so people should be able to overlay it on their work to check it out easily.
I think the thing on those guidelines people seem to be struggling with the most is the minimum font size (although it's worth pointing out the BBC News ticker and clock are smaller than that stated minimum).
