As we all know, knowledge is power. So what better way to help staff (and the general public) feel in control than by equipping them with the full story—not just relating to the merger and what it would mean for them, but going back—way back—to where it all began.
The resulting narrative, based around the notion of ‘disruptive technologies’, mapped the history of CSIRO—from humble beginnings to a world-leading scientific institution that continues to shape the way we live. Built around solid facts and statistics (something close to CSIRO’s heart), the animation we developed took viewers on a ride through time, illustrating how CSIRO has continued to evolve technology through disrupting the norm—thereby creating new norms. This macro view of how ‘disruption’ has been at the core of CSIRO’s ethos from the outset provided a natural segue to a more internal focus, looking at how disrupting internally (in this case by merging two divisions into a single new division) was equally core to the ongoing evolution of this great institution. This took the form of a printed graphic frieze, taking the story into the future and placing it firmly in the hands of the people involved.
The results speak for themselves—the unveiling of the animation (played to a room full of hard-core scientific and computer engineers) was met with a standing ovation. You can’t ask for much more of a positive or empowering experience than that.
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| Whilst the animation (top) focussed on a macro story, the accompanying print piece took the view closer, to the internal decision-making process behind the creation of a new division. In this way, both the staff and the general public were able to be informed and engaged with the process in ways that were specifically tailored to them. |
