News, awards, writing and ideas

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General news

User Joke Times, headlines for 26 September 2023–2 October 2023

The headline story in the media last week, of the theft of 2000 priceless items from the British Museum, made us create and design 7 kitsch campaign ideas, using copywriting, typography, branding and graphic communication, for some of the main issues going on. They show a bit of an edge on political issues, covering crime, public services, music sale revenue, social media user experience, Covid-19, regulation, morals, ethics, truth and message. Posters can be freely reused (copyright free). If you have any ideas, or would like any issues tackled, contact us, and we could return for another week.

Our 2nd edition book called The Journey of Larks (2011), also has some of our funnier-edged work. October 2023.

A2 portrait newspaper stand billboard sign, in large black bold letters that says ‘Good person had a valuable idea. Bad person said ‘I am not buying it.’
A2 portrait newspaper stand billboard sign, in large black bold letters that says ‘Only good news allowed on Monday’s (New Ofcom law and directive!!!)’
A2 portrait newspaper stand billboard sign, in large black bold letters that says ‘No inquiry into Covid-19. But that is okay..?!!!’
A2 portrait newspaper stand billboard sign, in large black bold letters that says ‘Please create an account or sign in! Social media is dead!!!’
A2 portrait newspaper stand billboard sign, in large black bold letters that says ‘Exclusive “The Who” band signs Spotify streaming deal for 1p revenue, a year!!!’
A2 portrait newspaper stand billboard sign, in large black bold letters that says ‘GPs to recieve ×10 salary increase, to be at work!!!
A2 portrait newspaper stand billboard sign, in large black bold letters that says ‘Breaking News!!! September 2023. 2000 priceless items stolen from British Museum!!! No one knows who took them… Must find Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson!!!’
General news

GOV.UK Communications Marketplace

We were accepted as a supplier on the GOV.UK Communications Marketplace after months of paperwork, where the U.K government and public sector organisations, can access a wide-range of specialist marketing and communications services. We are working more actively with them from September this year, until 2025, working on campaigns, publications, forms, text content and other graphic communication items.

It is has been a hard time for the government and everyone else in the last few years, we look forward to close collaboration with them, on projects, meetings and workshops (like user testing and feedback/review sessions). September 2023.

Black rectangle background, with a white silhouette of a crown, then the word ‘GOV.UK’ below Blue line down the left, then a lion crest logo at the top, then below the words ‘Crown Commercial Service’, 1 word below the other, ranged-left
General news

Editing to our website and previous publications

Over the last few years, we have been editing and sorting text content on this website and our previously published publications. We had feedback saying our writing was a bit clunky and needs more editing. We have also done a 2nd edition of our Small Print in Graphic Communication Design and Information Design: A Discussion of Issues and Interactions (2nd Edition) paper. (Note: this paper was originally published on the Usability Geek website in January 2017. In April 2023, we moved it to our Medium so we can update it more easily.)

Let us know if you spot any errors. We have also trialled and used an interesting editorial style throughout this website, and aim to make our editorial style guide publicly available sometime in the future, and add new projects. Hope you enjoy! April 2023.

General news

Our business name

In 2015, we have updated our name from User Design to User Design, Illustration and Typesetting. Our business remains the same with no changes. February 2016.

General news

We are a judge on the Center for Plain Language, ClearMark Awards 2013

We were asked for a 2nd year running to help judge the Center for Plain Language, ClearMark Awards 2013, in Washington, U.S.A.

The ClearMark and WonderMark awards recognise the best and worst in plain language (writing, graphic communication design and testing) each year, in the form of government, non-profit, and private companies. The 2013 ClearMark and WonderMark awards ceremony will be held on 16th April 2013, at the National Press Club in Washington, U.S.A. April 2013.

Center for Plain Language logo on the left which shows 1 blue and and 1 green speech bubble, then the title in blue and green letters to the right, with 'Make it clear.' below it in grey On the right is the Clear Mark Awards logo, which shows a black lightbulb icon, the word 'Clear' on the left and the word 'Mark' on the right, with the word 'Awards' in small capital text below it
General news

We are a judge on the Center for Plain Language, ClearMark Awards 2012

We were asked to help judge the Center for Plain Language, ClearMark Awards 2012, in Washington, U.S.A. It was enjoyable and the variety and complexity of submissions was vast, from 1-page monthly statement designs to complex multi-page forms.

The ClearMark and WonderMark awards recognise the best and worst in plain language (writing, graphic communication design and testing) each year, in the form of government, non-profit, and private companies. The 2012 ClearMark and WonderMark will be announced at the awards ceremony, on 22nd May 2012 at the Clarity 2012 Conference. April 2012.

Center for Plain Language logo on the left which shows 1 blue and and 1 green speech bubble, then the title in blue and green letters to the right, with 'Make it clear.' below it in grey On the right is the Clear Mark Awards logo, which shows a black lightbulb icon, the word 'Clear' on the left and the word 'Mark' on the right, with the word 'Awards' in small capital text below it
General news

Fellow of the Communication Research Institute

We have been accepted as a fellow of the Communication Research Institute, the world renowned, respected and pioneering information design research organisation setup in 1985 by David Sless. We have been a huge fan of his work, since discovering it. We are pleased and look forward to future collaborations. August 2011.

Communication Research Institute logo, shows a large bright purple speech bubble with the letters 'CRI' in large bold white capital letters within it