DEF II (1988)

Concept and creative process

‘DEF II', BBC's Youth Programmes magazine show was launched in 1988 by Janet Street-Porter, following her appointment as Head of Youth and Entertainment Features. It was a magazine format show which was transmitted twice weekly with titles and stings that set the tone, raising the (by then) ubiquitous barcode to iconic status as the logo and branding for the show. Designer Lucy Blakstad was fresh out of art school and was teamed up with designer Harry Dorrington to create an identity for this “yoof” magazine series. They not only designed the title sequence and the barcode logo, but also lots of exciting visual ways to link the different items of the magazine programme in order to create a coherent youth-oriented whole.

DEF II Rough Sketches and Storyboards