Awsworth Parish Council, a small but deeply rooted community authority, sought a complete refresh of its public-facing presence. From branding and digital identity to IT infrastructure, the aim was to modernise operations and communication while preserving the local heritage and character residents value. My role spanned strategy, design, and implementation across three areas: brand identity, website design, and Microsoft 365 managed services. The result was a unified transformation, one that reflects Awsworth’s past while equipping it for a more connected and efficient future.
The Council’s identity was tied to an ageing crest that lacked versatility and failed to resonate across modern platforms. Yet, sentiment and tradition meant any replacement needed to honour the past while welcoming in the future. I developed a new brand system that introduced a bold, contemporary logo mark inspired by the village’s landscape and the iconic viaduct, supported by a modern colour palette, flexible typefaces, and a suite of patterns. Careful consideration was given to community sentiment, with the historical crest still retained in ceremonial contexts, ensuring continuity without compromising functionality.
The result? A scalable, modern brand identity that is recognisable, community-rooted, and ready for use across print, digital, and merchandise. Councillors and residents responded positively, noting its professionalism and respectful nods to the area’s heritage.
The Council's former website lacked usability, accessibility, and visual clarity, creating barriers to information and reducing trust in digital communications. A ground-up rebuild focused on user experience, accessibility, and brand alignment. I created a clean, structured sitemap and built key templates for agendas, mnutes, policies, events, and contact forms. I also ensured that key community groups and updates were visible and easily maintained by council staff, by creating a scalable CMS structure.
The result? A fully responsive and accessible website that improves transparency, simplifies content updates, and helps residents easily find what they need. The site includes dedicated areas for committees, events, and historical recognition, while maintaining a consistent tone and look throughout.
The Council had no centralised IT systems or professional email infrastructure, relying on personal email addresses and manual processes. I provisioned a Microsoft 365 tenancy and implemented secure, best-practice setups for councillors and staff, including Exchange mailboxes, multi-factor authentication, role-based access, and a branded domain. I also migrated accounts, provided documentation, and ensured compatibility with Council systems and auditing needs.
The result? A secure, professional IT environment that boosts efficiency, ensures data protection compliance, and builds public trust. Council members now have proper email addresses and document sharing capabilities, all hosted in a system that’s scalable and future-ready.
© Copyright Max Taylor 2026. All Rights Reserved.
