Playgroup rejigs Norwegian Design Council site

The Norwegian Design Council is going to relaunch its website after just four months, following an overhaul of its digital strategy.

The existing site, which was designed by Norwegian groups Gazett and Tangram, only went live in January, but is already set to be relaunched later this summer with a redesign by UK consultancy Playgroup.

Playgroup producer and head of partner services Johan Brand explains that the existing website was not well received by the Norwegian design community, with the response indicating that the design was not ambitious enough.

There were also issues between the translation of the identity and print design into a digital framework, says Brand.

‘The logo and identity [created by Tangram] got a good response, and the website was clean and safe but it wasn’t pushing the boundaries enough,’ says Brand

Playgroup, which was appointed in February without a pitch, was briefed to overhaul the website and to look at a wider digital strategy.

‘We’re now midway through the design phase and will be developing brand guidelines, as well as redesigning the website,’ says Brand.

He reveals that Playgroup is addressing issues with on-line language, coding, linkage, functionality, information architecture and navigation.

Digital strategy for the Norwegian Design Council, according to Brand, is important because its main audience is reached through its website.

The goal is to create a portal for all of the design activity in Norway.

‘The aim is to create a one-stop shop, a resource for businesses and start-ups, that will help designers be connected and elevate their offering,’ says Brand.

Playgroup is to look at incorporating Web 2.0 features including user-generated content and blogs, and creating links with other European design councils.