The 7th Annual Shorthand Awards finalists

We’re excited to announce the finalists for the 7th annual Shorthand Awards.

After exploring your best digital stories of 2022, we’re thrilled to unveil the shortlisted finalists for the 7th annual Shorthand Awards.

We’ve had hundreds of submissions, each celebrating outstanding web content and the teams that make them. As you can imagine, it’s been quite a mission to select the top finalists across our 9 nomination categories.

The finalists were innovative and creative, telling stories big and small in beautiful ways. We viewed them across browsers and devices to test accessibility, read their supporting notes, and tried to immerse ourselves in their words and worlds.

The winners across all categories will be announced on April 14, so keep an eye on the countdown on the awards page.

And, in case you’ve forgotten, the categories are:

● Best editorial story
● Best brand story
● Best not-for-profit story
● Best business story
● Best education story
● Best arts and culture story
● Best agency/partner story
● Most innovative story
● The Craft award
● The community choice award

Without further ado, here are the Shorthand Awards finalists!

Best editorial story

"DIE RINGE DER MACHT" Rückkehr nach Mittelerde

Kleine Zeitung

"My favourite parts are the 3D effect of the title image and the Reveal sections with the maps showing the different journeys of the two hobbits."

Silke Ulrich, Visual Journalist at Kleine Zeitung

Food for the world

Council of the European Union

"More than anything what makes this story special is its deep meaning for the survival and well-being of millions of people globally and its value in the fight against disinformation."

Leszek Jarosz, Editor at Council of the European Union

The mistakes made during the Manchester Arena terror attack

Sky News

"While much has been written about the obvious human impact of the attack, the inquest into the deaths of those who died allowed the world to find out what made the extent of the tragedy even worse than it inevitably would have been."

Natasha Muktarsingh, Assistant Editor Data and Forensics at Sky News

Best brand story

NRMA boat insurance - you've got this and we've got you.

NRMA Insurance

"In the first of its kind NRMA Insurance and Jack collaborated with Google to create Ramp Rater."

Rae Metlitzky, Manager Editorial and Content at IAG

Defending expression since 1987

ARTICLE 19

"Shorthand's platform has enabled us to create a record of our work, which is so vital: it’s not just a chronicle of the past, it’s a contribution to the future – and not just for the benefit of our NGO, but for the entire social justice movement."

Hannah Austin, Writer, Editor, Global Content at ARTICLE 19

Careers

Everyone TV

"The story aims to attract like-minded individuals who are eager to make a positive impact on the world by building a bright future for free-to-air TV."

Helen Roberts, Website Manager at Everyone TV

Best not-for-profit story

The body remembers

Our Better World

"In our increasingly chaotic world, we believe that such stories draw attention to not only the darkness but critically, remind people that there is always hope."

Kimberly Gordon, Senior Content Producer at Our Better World

Between a shock and a hard place

Norwegian Refugee Council

"The interactive Shorthand report was designed as a lighter web-based, data-focused, and visually-impactful accompaniment to this document, geared toward a wider audience."

Jennifer Spencer, Data Storyteller

Acoustic discrimination

Background Stories Co.

"Visuals were designed by Background Stories and helped ISSF partners spread understanding of acoustic discrimination technology (and how it leads to more sustainable fishing) broadly."

Arlene Birt, Creative Director & Founder at Background Stories Co.

Best business story

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games: delivered it, bab

Gowling WLG

"The story pushes the usual boundaries for our sector for how stories are told and how content is created."

Gowling WLG Corporate Communications team

AlixPartners disruption index

Rostrum for AlixPartners

"The Disruption Index showcases how corporate B2B content can be brought to life in a unique and engaging way."

Rostrum Studio

A year in review: our life-changing work in 2021

Sightsavers

"Our Shorthand review gets across what we do in a striking, energetic way that is still on brand and accessible."

Elliot George, Digital and User Experience Designer at Sightsavers

Best education story

Where legends are made

The University of Alabama

"The story seeks to achieve greater visibility for the institution and showcase the stories and achievements of the students featured in the ad campaign."

Kyle Fondren, Director of Web Strategy at The University of Alabama

Meet the family on a mission to restore the desert ecosystem

UNSW Sydney

"We saw an opportunity to focus on the incredible story this couple had to tell, about overcoming drought, dust storms and raising a young family during a 10-year project in the most remote place in NSW."

Isabelle Dubach, Senior News and Content Manager at UNSW Sydney

Dear World...thank you

University of Cambridge

"We wanted our audiences to feel informed, inspired, appreciated and proud of their involvement or institution."

Advancement Communications Team, University of Cambridge

Best arts and culture story

Rites: dancing towards a shared history

Arts Centre Melbourne

"We also feel deeply privileged to have engaged with some of this country's leading dancers, choreographers and musicians to ensure this important story could be told."

Yolande Brown, Guest Curator

Rebuilding Mosul: UAE-backed project helps old Iraqi city recover from ISIS destruction

The National

"The story fits perfectly with The National's mandate to inform the world of developments in the Middle East from within the region."

Nick Donaldson, Creative Director at The National

Port Chalmers: built from the ground up

Otago Daily Times

"This entry is a good example of how we can use modern story telling software, like Shorthand, to bring to life our past in a way that wouldn’t be possible with traditional print or website stories."

Mathew Patchett, Editorial Artist at Otago Daily Times

Best agency/partner story

Ultimate tournament guide

Bell Media Group for Goal.com

"Our story helps people get excited about the world cup but also provide useful information like when and where games will be played."

Anthony DiPaolo, Lead Designer at Bell Media Group

Dubai: Bringing events to life in Dubai

Haymarket Media Group in collaboration with Harpoon Productions for C&IT Brand

"Shorthand’s storytelling capabilities were key to delivering the different stories in a fun, engaging, unusual yet polished way."

Melanie Falconer, Head of Production, Content Labs at Haymarket Business Media division

The 5 habits of highly effective advertising

Adweek sponsored by Amazon Ads

"This story zooms in on the importance of creative, breaking down five specific elements that constitute the essence of compelling advertising creative."

Stuart Feil, VP, Branded Content at Adweek