The mission
To advance a sustainable, diverse & innovative ecosystem of quality journalism. Promote long-term ecosystem sustainability of the news industry, shifting emphasis from select influential, legacy players to a digital
industry with many new players.The last three years of the Google News Initiative have been marked by a great deal of experimentation, including a prolific array of project, program, and partnership launches. While fruitful, this has led to confusion around the GNI’s identity.
The ask
Focus and amplify the impact of Google's work with the news industry through a unified brand strategy for the Google News Initiative. To accomplish this, stay true to the most reputable aspects of Google, while letting the GNI’s unique attributes, commitments and values shine through. And also, bridge the divide between tech and news in a way that humanizes and builds trust while driving understanding and advocacy around the value the GNI brings.
The look
Through the use of monochromatism and isometrics paired with intentional shades of Google’s core colors, we create a sophisticated tone that connects journalism’s past with the potential of its future. Isometric illustration also makes compositions feel more tangible like something you can hold while unlocking a flexible, modular system.
Modular isometric illustration
Creating all the illustrations at the same isometric angle allows for quick scene building by dragging and dropping elements as needed to create a new scene.
Inclusivity
When creating a range of illustrated characters it was important to include racial and cultural diversity including a range of physical features — face shapes, hairstyles, and expressions.
Future of news
GNI's innovation visualized by a full scene of the future of news - user is able to choose from the breadth of GNI’s offerings to propel into digital transformation. Spot illustration showing digital transformation via various connecting pieces through a portal. Further isolating iconography that represent digital transformation.
Combatting misinformation
Verification and fact checking visualized in a full scene with a journalist working on a laptop in an isometric view.Isolating spot illustrations that visualize fact-checking and verification. Further isolating iconography that represent fact-checking and verification
Press briefing
Journalists are taking notes and asking questions at a press briefing in an isometric view. Each person has a different look and approach to note taking and interaction with the person briefing their group.
Partnerships
Google News Initiative's partnerships visualized by a conversation between two journalists discussing the details of their partnership. Isolating icons pulled from the scene that visualize partnerships, analytics and revenue.
Working remotely
Even while working remotely and independently journalists are connected by making use of the digital tools available from GNI. Journalists who are working remotely and independently are still connected as they contribute to a story and conversation.
Audience engagement
Audience engagement across the world seen through remotely connected readers who are, talking and sharing content while having connected conversations.
Data analytics
Illustration showing a user reading the analytic details surfaced for an individual data point. Spot illustration of the same data set plotted with an isometric bar chart.
Conducting interviews
A journalist is recording during an interview where she is capturing an audio recording and taking more traditional style notes. A large abstract UI screen overhead shows the back and forth of their questions and responses between the two people.
Busy newsrooms
Journalists are working together in small teams making connections and tracking between multiple news stories together in a busy newsroom. They are tracking along with live news stories as they work making it lively and fast paced without being chaotic.
Icons
The icon designs are based on the core Material Design principles. Each icon is reduced to its minimal form, expressing essential characteristics as it relates to the GNI.
The icons are bold, geometric and consistent as a set, ensuring readability and clarity, even at small sizes. They also incorporate the black line work and pops of color from the overall GNI art direction.
