robert hempsall - information designer

When less is just more work

Robert — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:13:25 +0000

The saying goes (and it's especially relevant to what I do) that 'less is more', and in most cases this is true. After all, a lot of what I get paid to do is delete what's not necessary to get it down to a manageable amount of information.

Too often though, the less is more mantra is taken too literally and ends up making things more difficult than they need to be...

Guest blog for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Robert — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:39:19 +0000

As businesses, we’re constantly taking time to understand our customers but how often do we take time to check our customers understand us. I’m not talking about our brand values or anything deep and meaningful like that. I’m talking about the everyday pieces of information we use to tell customers about everyday matters: instructions to tell [...]

The shortest route isn’t necessarily the simplest one

Robert — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:45:25 +0000

When providing people with directions, whether written or on a map, the temptation is to give them a route that’s used by people who make the same journey regularly. When we make a journey regularly though, we often don’t take the simplest route, that being defined as the one that involves the least number of decisions about what [...]

I’ll have 125ml of the house red please…

Robert — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:53:41 +0000

So, here’s a recent idea from a politician: to change labelling on alcohol to replace Units with Centilitres. I’d be interested to know your thoughts. In the meantime, here’s why I think it’s a bad idea. Very simply, when was the last time you ordered ‘125ml of the house red’ or ‘275ml of Becks (other beers available)’? [...]

Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance

Robert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:08:05 +0000

Information explaining baggage allowance to customers on Virgin Atlantic flights

AIG life insurance application form

Robert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:06:54 +0000

Project to redesign the form AIG uses to collect information from customers applying for life insurance

First aid training – product information

Robert — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:21:57 +0000

Project to write and design information about a first aid training company's products and services.

Recycling bin advice label

Robert — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:17:06 +0000

Design for a label which is placed on recycling bins containing non-recyclable materials.

Luxury home rental website

Robert — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:12:52 +0000

Project to create screen designs for a website promoting and managing luxury rentals on the south coast.

Event: Designing information for everyday life, 1815-1914

Robert — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:09:51 +0000

If you're in London next week, this event could be worth a look: a collection of information graphics from the days before computers, way before in fact.. There's also a talk at St Bride Library on Thursday 14th January.