The Economist
Create a new sustainability platform combining insights, innovation and influence to convene and actively engage global stakeholders with the power to effect real change.
Studio
WongDoody
Role
Lead UI Designer
Discovery
During the 4-week discovery phase we conducted stakeholder interviews, user interviews, workshops and research to understand the requirements and identify opportunities. I also performed an audit of The Economist’s content and articles to be used in the new platform in order to define the core foundations of the design system.
Design direction
Through the research, workshops and interview process we identified six clear principles for the Sustainable Futures visual language; Authoritative, Contemporary, Sophisticated, Elegant, Immersive, Impactful.
The client was keen for the platform to establish its own distinctive identity while still feeling related to the broader Economist brand. To achieve this we introduced unique elements, such as dotted patterns and iconography, alongside the established brand fonts and incorporating colours from their secondary palette.
A systematic approach
During the 8-week detailed design phase it was important to bring the core elements of the design system together at speed, whilst also allowing the platform to scale moving forward.
I defined spacing tokens and responsive typography styles to allow for consistency and efficiency within both my own designs and the components built by the engineering team.
Results
In just 12 weeks, we launched the platform in time for The Economist to announce it at the COP-26 Climate Change Conference. The platform went on to be recognised at multiple awards, including nominations in five categories at the Festival of Media Cause Campaign Awards.
