Website
Nesta
Nesta is well known for supporting innovation in culture and other policy areas, but the diversity of its work can lead to a lack of clarity about the charitable foundation’s role. Its new website tackles this issue head-on: the homepage prominently links to a 100-second video that begins with the question, “What does it mean to be an innovation foundation?”, and makes a stab at answering it. The film evokes a dynamic, pioneering spirit and conveys excitement about the organisation’s work.
A blog from its chief executive, Geoff Mulgan, gives more detail on Nesta’s history, current work and future ambitions. This is enhanced by interactive elements – a timeline of the organisation’s development, a map of international projects and an “innovation spiral” explaining its approach. At the end of the blog is an image gallery of examples of projects that Nesta has supported, including “chairobics” for older people and the GoodSam app, which mobilises first-aid volunteers to work alongside ambulance services.
The site benefits from a clear structure. One layer of the top menu presents three options: “about”, “latest” and “help me innovate” (toolkits and funding opportunities). A layer below this links to hubs on six key areas of Nesta’s work, including “creative economy and culture” and “health”. As well as explaining Nesta’s aims and highlighting its successes, there is a refreshing honesty in these sections about initiatives that have not worked (such as support for hyperlocal media prototypes in 2013).
This site provides a clear and accessible introduction to the foundation’s work, as well as extensive resources for those who want to engage more deeply with it.
Website
Lapsed clubber audio map
This initiative by the Manchester Digital Music Archive and Manchester Metropolitan University preserves people’s memories of the rave scene in the city between 1985 and 1995, when it was known for dance music. The project focuses on the voices of the local community as a counterpoint to the testimonies of insiders such as music industry figures and journalists.
The site allows people to record 60-second spoken-word memories on their computer and pin them to a location on a map of Greater Manchester. The memories are sorted by categories, including clothes, music and after-parties.
There are many reminiscences on the Hacienda club, such as a man who recalls that while its reputation made him “almost scared” of going, “the minute I was there I felt right at home”. Another popular location is the Thunderdome, which had more of a rough edge. One recording, “Trevor Horn’s mind blown”, recounts a time when the musician visited the club and was “horrified” to find it encircled by police helicopters and populated with people in baggy clothes.
The recordings are a good way to learn about Manchester’s music scene at the time.
Website
Westminster Abbey
The most comprehensive section covers the abbey’s history and cultural significance. As well as profiles of the more than 3,300 famous people buried or commemorated there (ranging from writer Jane Austen to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr), there is information on the venue’s art collection, architecture and important elements in its history – accompanied by high-quality images and some videos.
Nesta
Nesta is well known for supporting innovation in culture and other policy areas, but the diversity of its work can lead to a lack of clarity about the charitable foundation’s role. Its new website tackles this issue head-on: the homepage prominently links to a 100-second video that begins with the question, “What does it mean to be an innovation foundation?”, and makes a stab at answering it. The film evokes a dynamic, pioneering spirit and conveys excitement about the organisation’s work.
A blog from its chief executive, Geoff Mulgan, gives more detail on Nesta’s history, current work and future ambitions. This is enhanced by interactive elements – a timeline of the organisation’s development, a map of international projects and an “innovation spiral” explaining its approach. At the end of the blog is an image gallery of examples of projects that Nesta has supported, including “chairobics” for older people and the GoodSam app, which mobilises first-aid volunteers to work alongside ambulance services.
The site benefits from a clear structure. One layer of the top menu presents three options: “about”, “latest” and “help me innovate” (toolkits and funding opportunities). A layer below this links to hubs on six key areas of Nesta’s work, including “creative economy and culture” and “health”. As well as explaining Nesta’s aims and highlighting its successes, there is a refreshing honesty in these sections about initiatives that have not worked (such as support for hyperlocal media prototypes in 2013).
This site provides a clear and accessible introduction to the foundation’s work, as well as extensive resources for those who want to engage more deeply with it.
Website
Lapsed clubber audio map
This initiative by the Manchester Digital Music Archive and Manchester Metropolitan University preserves people’s memories of the rave scene in the city between 1985 and 1995, when it was known for dance music. The project focuses on the voices of the local community as a counterpoint to the testimonies of insiders such as music industry figures and journalists.
The site allows people to record 60-second spoken-word memories on their computer and pin them to a location on a map of Greater Manchester. The memories are sorted by categories, including clothes, music and after-parties.
There are many reminiscences on the Hacienda club, such as a man who recalls that while its reputation made him “almost scared” of going, “the minute I was there I felt right at home”. Another popular location is the Thunderdome, which had more of a rough edge. One recording, “Trevor Horn’s mind blown”, recounts a time when the musician visited the club and was “horrified” to find it encircled by police helicopters and populated with people in baggy clothes.
The recordings are a good way to learn about Manchester’s music scene at the time.
Website
Westminster Abbey
A large photograph of the imposing interior of London’s Westminster Abbey makes a striking first impression on the homepage of the venue’s new website. Further down is key information on opening times and services (with a helpful statement that everyone is welcome free of charge at the latter).
Beyond these fundamental elements, the site has a wealth of content to help users engage with the abbey in its various roles as a place of worship and a heritage site. This includes details of ticket prices, event listings and learning opportunities.The most comprehensive section covers the abbey’s history and cultural significance. As well as profiles of the more than 3,300 famous people buried or commemorated there (ranging from writer Jane Austen to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr), there is information on the venue’s art collection, architecture and important elements in its history – accompanied by high-quality images and some videos.
The site’s combination of clear practical information and engaging heritage content should help bolster the abbey’s status as a leading attraction and entice new visitors through its doors.