The really... really useful service guide

The client

Islington Council

The brief

To provide residents with an effective local guide that promotes both council services and the values of the council's ongoing access strategy (a move from face-to-face to phone, and ultimately to improve service levels by enabling the majority of customer transactions to be completed online)

• To enhance the perception of the council and to reflect their vision of 'one Islington' as an integrated and highly responsive borough that works for the benefit of the residents.
• To reflect the council's three main priorities:
  • Greener & Cleaner
  • Safer Stronger communities
  • Listening

The approach

Following the brief we discussed the project with stakeholders and following their advice developed a selection of front cover design treatments and internal spread layouts that satisfied the requirements of the brief whilst enhancing council brand guidelines. Once the format was agreed information was received from the council and dropped into a template structure to ensure all information was easy to understand whilst also conforming to an accepted visual style. Sections were colour coded and address information punctuated with bright colourful imagery to retain interest. Also, to help promote the values of the access strategy, we designed the listing pages so that the website address was highlighted at all times, to ensure the reader could easily find and view the council's website.

The outcome

Working closely with the team at Islington Council and following the brand guidelines, we were able to design, collate, print and deliver a clear and easy to use guide for council residents that is both interesting and informative. The really... really useful guide has been nominated by the council for two awards.