Friday, June 19, 2009

Banksy versus Bristol Museum


I haven't had so much fun in an art show for years (well, ever...). There is a lot to pick out, but in the interest of relevance to this blog, here's a nice reference to small print.

Our MA students


Our MA students have finished the practical part of their course (dissertation still to come) and their work has been on display this week. They have been a delight to work with, and their work is terrific. Here they are having their photo taken, and striking suitably creative poses.

Our forms design portfolio



Well, now the MPs' exes have been published and you can see our work in its full glory - the blacked out bits spoil it a little, but still...


Tuesday, June 09, 2009

MPs' expenses: our small part in their downfall

I remembered the other day that we (Information Design Unit, my former company) once had the job of designing the House of Commons expenses forms. The job went on for a long long time, as different wordings were tried and rejected. Obviously I would be sent to the tower for showing them (and I don't know which version, if any, was finally used), but it seems OK to mention that the declaration closely reflects the HMRC rules on taxation of expenses: "I confirm that I incurred these costs wholly, exclusively and necessarily... for the purpose of performing my duties as a Member of Parliament". I would say that is pretty clear.