Who's Got the Beat?

(Est. 1973) "Newsbeat is the flagship news programme on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC's other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience.[1] It is primarily hosted by Chris Smith and Tina Daheley. The 15-minute Newsbeat programme is broadcast at 12:45 and 17:45 during the week on Radio 1 and 1Xtra. Short bulletins are also heard throughout the day on both stations on the half hour with extra bulletins broadcast at peak times." (Wikipedia)

Additional good info from Moving Brands: "The way people stay up to date with news is changing, particularly for those under 25. Vice, Reddit and Buzzfeed all offer more entertaining, snackable ways to consume news, and platforms like Facebook and Snapchat are as much a link to current events as they are to friends and family. In this landscape, BBC Newsbeat, the national broadcaster's news service aimed at 16 – 24yr olds, had some catching up to do."

Design by: Moving Brands (London)

Opinion/Notes: The old logo was like a parent trying to be cool with his/her kids but coming across as lame and outdated. The grunge look was far too un-cool and made it seem like they would only be reporting on gruesome murders and police beatings. The new logo gives some credit to its audience and doesn't pander with an overly youthful approach. Instead, it's a simple wordmark — perhaps too simple? — with a sophisticated animation that hints at the kind of speed that young users scroll through today's information and content. It's cool to look at and it supports the visual behavior of the website and app so it all feels in tune.

Related Links: Moving Brands project page

Select Quote: We took inspiration from the Newsbeat name, with the brand, user experience and even the content drawing on the rhythm of 'the beat.' Every movement and transition was carefully considered.

The wordmark is designed to react to the beat; when a user hits pre-programmed points within the site, a beat sequence animation is triggered in the mark. The grid system is built to replicate a simple music time signature – all elements of the grid are divisible by four, with content landing on or off the beat. Importantly, this system adheres to the existing BBC Global Experience Language.

Content loads vertically, using a card system to help with pacing and navigation. The cards have considered motion parameters; the tilt is reactive to the user, using physics to control the movement. A unique component of the newsbeat system is the colour picking method, a tool which uses tones found within editorial imagery, applied as slice overlays.