Designing the BBC

Drawing on unique archival material, Designing Television provides an illuminating insight into over 50 years of the history and work of the BBC Television Graphic Design department, and evaluates its cultural and technological impact.

Designing Television provides an insider perspective on the groundbreaking work of the BBC's Television Graphic Design Department from 1954-2005.

Drawing on the unique holdings of the BBC Motion Graphics Archive, and first-hand perspectives of former BBC staff, this book provides a timely overview of over 50 years of the BBC's innovative practice and lasting impact in the field of television motion graphics.

Taking a thematic approach, the volume considers the graphic design of a range of TV genres, including household favourites such as Doctor Who; sports programming such as Grandstand and big sporting events like the Olympics; children's television including Grange Hill; popular science programmes such as Tomorrow’s World; news output such as The Nine O'Clock News, Election Night specials, the weather and the channel idents of BBC 2. The book brings together BBC staff with leading scholars in design and television studies who investigate the Archive, bringing to life cultural memories, and consider the Graphic Design Department's lasting impact, both at the time and today.