The Scribblers Visual Identity and Materials

Brief

The Scribblers is a community project for the Telegraph Hay Festival encouraging local children to participate and engage with literature and writing of all forms. As part of our hands-on engagement with the Scribblers project, bwa have been involved in every aspect of the process – creating a now established visual identity, a quarterly ‘magazine’, ongoing promotional materials and most recently preparing the launch of an ambitious scheme involving 10,000 Welsh children and their teachers in live literary events and university visits. The scheme aims to increase the uptake of higher education in Wales – a project launched by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at this year’s Hay Festival.

Result

Enthusiasm and excitement for the project has exceeded even Hay Festival expectations. At this year’s Hay Festival supply couldn’t keep up with demand as issues flew off the shelves as soon as each delivery arrived – the special edition magazine became a must have festival companion. The project received extended news coverage during this year’s Hay Festival including an ongoing presence in the Daily Telegraph – even receiving the commendation of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. ‘We are delighted to work with bwa on such a unique project. The Scribblers offers young writers access to the workings of a professional agency, allowing them to develop their communication skills and to work collaboratively. The finished product provides an important validation of their writing, but the real value of this partnership comes in the planning stages. Each issue successfully reflects their creative progress and energy.’ – Sophie Lording, HF Director & Jo Rodell-Jones, Assistant Producer

Solution

In our approach, we were keen to involve the young authors at each stage of this truly communal venture. The project needed to fulfil the aspirations of it's aspiring authors and capture their characteristically wavering interest and enthusiasm. It was important that the children felt a sense of ownership. Throughout the process bwa aims to engage with its contributors' imaginations, bringing to life every aspect of the young author’s work – their individual 'scribbles' were even delicately pieced together to create The Scribblers logotype . Their enthusiasm has grown with each project along with an ever-expanding amount of high-quality content – with each solution determined to outdo the last. Combining interaction and illustration, the design result is both refined and rebellious, academic and anarchic.