
2023-06-27
Written by Lila Patel
The Guardian's dedicated team of artists and designers meticulously craft unique visual representations of the UK's general election. Through an intricate process of sketching, painting, and printing, each piece is carefully brought to life to convey complex political ideas in a clear and compelling manner.
The Guardian's Creative Approach to Election Coverage: A Handmade Masterpiece
Behind the scenes at The Guardian's creative team, a labor of love is taking shape. This year's election coverage is not only notable for its in-depth analysis and thought-provoking articles but also for its unique visual identity. Partly inspired by the 'Broken Britain' concept, which critiques the current state of British society, the newspaper's designers have opted to create all their election artwork by hand.
The decision to eschew AI generative imagery was a deliberate choice in response to the rise of fake news and the growing trend of automated content creation. The Guardian's team wanted to emphasize the value of human creativity and imperfection in a world where algorithms often produce sterile, identical output. To achieve this, they have employed a technique that involves cutting paper into intricate shapes by hand. The result is a deliberately imperfect yet striking visual identity that perfectly captures the spirit of grassroots activism.
The use of handmade paper cuttings adds an element of human touch to The Guardian's coverage, which is often characterized by its progressive values and commitment to truth-telling. By choosing to create artwork in this way, the team is sending a powerful message about the importance of authenticity and the value of putting pen to paper – or, rather, scissors to paper. As the elections approach, fans of The Guardian can look forward to a visually striking and thought-provoking coverage that truly reflects the newspaper's unique voice and perspective.