Blair win yields identity projects

The post-Election overhaul of Government departments, including four new departments, should result in substantial identity projects for design consultancies.

The Team appears to be the first beneficiary of the overhaul as it has been selected to create the Department for Education and Skills’ brand identity. There are four new departments: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Transport, Local Government and the Regions; Work and Pensions; and Education and Skills.

In addition to brand identity, there are likely to be website and print projects up for grabs.

A question mark hangs over departments’ previous roster arrangements.

The Department for Work and Pensions looks the most likely candidate for the creation of a new roster, says an insider. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs could, meanwhile, absorb elements of rosters of the old Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

“Any changes that occur to rosters should take six months to resolve, so there will be a degree of stability for design consultancies until new communications directors come on board,” says a well-placed source.

Meanwhile the pre-Election threat hanging over the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – that it was to be split up and its responsibility for championing the creative industries switched to the Department of Trade and Industry – has been lifted.

A DCMS spokeswoman says that it has gained responsibilities, such as licensing and film and video classification.

The demise of Chris Smith as Culture Minister, a post now filled by former Employment Secretary Tessa Jowell, has not been applauded by the design industry. Smith was a popular figure in design and was credited with a broad understanding of and affinity for the business.

BEFORE THE ELECTION

– Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

– Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

– Department of Social Security

– Department for Education and Employment

AFTER THE ELECTION

– Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

– Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

– Department for Work and Pensions

– Department for Education and Skills