GOV.UK Wins Design of the Year!
For the past several months, I’ve been working on building out gov.uk. More precisely, the Inside Government team, working up new product development and content transition.
I’ve come a cross a ton of great reads on the site.
- https://www.gov.uk/sex-shop
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ufo-reports-in-the-uk
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individual-reporting-requirements-for-sheep-and-goats
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foi-ref-1015-12
- https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/establishing-stability-in-afghanistan (they’ve subsequently updated the URL)
It’s really kind of revolutionary that a government has actually written down its policy on a controversial topic in a way that a human can understand. [edit: Unfortunately, that practice didn’t last beyond that one government.]
Here’s what some other people have said about the thing:
The Rt Hon David Cameron ‘I am delighted that the GOV.UK website has won the Design of The Year award in 2013. This government is committed to being the most transparent in the world. For the first time, people can find out what’s happening inside government, all in one place, and in a clear and consistent format. It is just another example of Britain’s world class design talent standing out on the global stage; in this case helping to enhance the modern relationship between the public and government.’
Deyan Sudjic, Director of Design Museum ‘GOV.UK looks elegant, and subtly British thanks to a revised version of a classic typeface, designed by Margaret Calvert back in the 1960s. It is the Paul Smith of websites. The rest of the world is deeply impressed, and because it has rationalised multiple official websites, it saves the taxpayer millions, what’s not to like?… …GOV.UK is a remarkable success on so many levels. It makes life better for millions of people coping with the everyday chores, from getting a new passport, to paying their taxes. It’s a reflection of the government understanding how to communicate with the country in a way that works, it’s simple, direct, well mannered, all the things that we would like to take for granted from the government, but in a sea of red tape and jargon, usually can’t.’
@benedictbrogan Anyone developing a digital strategy needs to study the remarkable success of gov.uk, winner of design of the year
All in all, a pretty satisfying professional experience.