As part of a wider brand identity review, Blast were asked to design Arts Council England’s Annual Review, the first major piece of communications to reflect the Arts Council’s new brand direction and brand identity guidelines (also created by Blast). The Arts Council’s new brand positioning and direction as an organisation focuses on creativity, innovation, desirability and uniqueness. To appear less corporate Blast introduced a more informal editorial approach, with features, interviews with artists, exerts from research and personal reflections from Arts Council staff.
The Review demonstrates new flexibility created by the brand identity elements, exploring the potential of different formats, paper stocks, typography and use of imagery. Blast introduced illustration for the first time to help demonstrate how the Arts Council enriches the lives of the nation through its funding and support of the arts.