I'm quite a fan of this new look. I've always been an admirer of CNNi's strap design for some reason - I suppose it's step back from the neatness of current TV graphics.
Music wise it does seem a bit OTT but better than the previous set. Surprised they've not changed the TOTH bed - just seems a bit out of place with the new 'electro' (?) sound. The famous 'swoosh' seems to have finally gone too.
One thing that bugs me though is the Live bug. If it was somehow built into the DOG in the top left (like 2001) it would be a bit clutterless.
Simon Buglione is Creative Director of Sky News which, today, refreshes its on air graphic look. We asked him to explain the changes for you.
Today we are introducing a new graphic identity for Sky News that will support its reputation for bold, dynamic storytelling and editorial vigour, by providing clear, concise delivery of information.
The new on air graphic look is guided by two core themes: the use of a 3D environment in which to navigate our content - and the desire to provide the same amount of information but not cover up picture unless absolutely necessary. We are television after all!
Unlike the traditional title sequence we travel through 3D space to reach our content, be that video, text or the website.
You will notice it most at key junctions, such as the build up to the top of the hour and for coming up sequences and trails.
We have also made the ticker more information rich with weather symbols, all the latest market information – and the clock.
We think the new design is exciting, coherent and innovative, both in its creative approach as well as in the use of technology.
We have broken away from a flat one size fits all approach to on screen architecture and put back a bit of television into news.
It’s a look that befits a commercial channel: crisp, clean, accessible but also very Sky. We hope you like it.
I'm quite a fan of this new look. I've always been an admirer of CNNi's strap design for some reason - I suppose it's step back from the neatness of current TV graphics.
Music wise it does seem a bit OTT but better than the previous set. Surprised they've not changed the TOTH bed - just seems a bit out of place with the new 'electro' (?) sound. The famous 'swoosh' seems to have finally gone too.
One thing that bugs me though is the Live bug. If it was somehow built into the DOG in the top left (like 2001) it would be a bit clutterless.
But overall, nice update.
I still think that they should place the clock to the right of the Sky News dog - make the DOG a little smaller. Place the location and Live under the clock and dog, and then make the ticker full length on screen.
Something that Sky News is still seriously lacking, is any feeling of substance to their identity.
Currently all their identity consists of is a logo, a wishy-washy blue animated background - which means nothing, and their increasingly dated music. In years past we've had proper titles, and the globe motif (which was instantly recognisable as Sky's globe), which says a hell of a lot more than anything they have now to identify them by.
They need to bring back a solid, unique branding to the channel which will help set it apart. To me the way they present themselves on-screen these days is surprisingly old-fashioned, something I never used to think Sky News would become.
Agree with you completely - I think you've summed it up perfectly, especially regarding the globe. I've never understood why that was ditched in favour of this random blue square screensaver like thing.
I do love how so many people are posting contradictory nonsense. even by TVF standards, this is a joke.
The spinning tower has gone, as have the 'sun' style straps. New backgrounds, wipes, double boxes and matched thematic elements for TOH and coming up sequences.
The dog is at the top to visually match across all platforms: TV, active & Web.
So what if the city news has a different background? Sport has done for years ON ALL CHANNELS. It does match the flagship business programme 'Jeff Randal Live'.
So what if a few elements have not been updated yet? If the font, colours or aspect ratio had changed then it would be poor. They have not.
For the first time Sky have got it right in 16:9. Viewers can now see the pictures on screen and not have them covered with a mass of background: To be 4:3 safe all graphics would have to either have a mass of unused space or start/stop in stupid places.
A Revolution: Just use the area on screen you need to get the information across! so simple, and done with less fuss than CNN.
How can anybody interested in TV suggest BBC News24 is a design success? Huge areas of black (or white..) and red animate on screen to reveal tiny words - which are justified the wrong way for clarity, we read from left to right for F * sake.
Not a cliché globe in sight, or very very very important 'data streams' flying around. yes old sky news globe was a good brand image, but with every tom dick and martin having google earth in 2008, those images have lost value.
I'm sure a few here will be obsessive with praise for the new BBC look, which will be a triumph of style of usability and viewer friendliness. When you see the appalling regional news titles and set update elements rolled out (they really are a cold mess) i hope you come back and withdraw some of your more reactionary comments made today...
pigs might of course fly (through a dated red and orange clown world)
How can anybody interested in TV suggest BBC News24 is a design success? Huge areas of black (or white..) and red animate on screen to reveal tiny words - which are justified the wrong way for clarity, we read from left to right for F * sake.
Only tiny text on News24 is the ticker, the strap text is bigger than Skys.
The only thing I'd lose is the live/locator. It clutters the screen and means all four corners are occupied.
make the live location a strap animate, bring it on, let people read it, then lose it. We don't need to be constantly reminded of where the interviewee is (often somewhere nothing to do with the story). And we don't need to be told it's live, that should be obvious by the interaction with the studio.
Or lose all lower thirds and make interviewees/guests/correspondents wear a t shirt with their name, job title and location!
Whoever designed these needs to be shot. They need to learn from the people who designed News 24, who in turn are half-arsed amateurs compared to whoever originally redesigned ITN a couple of years back...
