Print & Web / Celebrating 100 / Research

15 / 12 / 13

PRINT & WEB / OUGD504
CELEBRATING 100.
RESEARCH.

To get more knowledge on the original Tradition of getting a card from the Queen, I did some search into the way in which you obtain a card as well as what it is you receive in the post.

I went on to the official movement webpage that gives out this information to those wishing to gain information on the delivery.

This was the information given from the webpage:

'The delivery of congratulatory messages marking 100th birthdays and 60th wedding anniversaries is arranged by the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace.

For many people, receiving a congratulatory card from The Queen to mark a significant birthday or wedding anniversary is a very special part of their celebrations.

Since 1917, the Sovereign has sent congratulatory messages to people celebrating notable birthdays and anniversaries.

Cards are sent to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter, and to those celebrating their diamond wedding (60th), 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter.

The Queen's congratulatory messages consist of a card containing a personalised message. The card comes in a special envelope, which is delivered through the normal postal channels.

The delivery of these messages is arranged by the Anniversaries Office, part of the Private Secretary's Office in the Royal Household, based at Buckingham Palace.

The Pension Service informs the Anniversaries Office of birthdays for recipients of UK State pensions. But, for data privacy reasons, there is no automatic alert from Government records for wedding anniversaries.
For this reason, to make sure that a message is sent for birthdays and wedding anniversaries alike, an application should preferably be made by a relative or friend in advance of the special day.

More information about applying for a message and interesting facts about the tradition are featured in this section.'


SOURCE - http://www.royal.gov.uk/hmthequeen/queenandanniversarymessages/anniversarymessages.aspx

To receive a Birthday card from the Queen you have to make an application either via a letter or, as of recently, you can now apply online.

To apply via a written letter (probably most preferred by elderly applicant unfamiliar with computer technology) there is an application that can be printed out and written on read for postage.

Through the make up of the written piece that is required to be printed out shows that it is common for relative and friends of the Celebrant to apply on their behalf. This could be done for a surprise or along side the Celebrant to help them apply.

There is also an aid that helps the applicant know the ins and outs of the application process and how the system will work in regards to process and delivery.

 To apply for the Birthday message online there is an application process that requires the date of birth and email address in order to confirm authenticity. Due to this I could only get so far into the process.

(I really like this image used at the bottom of the page as I feel it draws you in).

Once you enter you email address the system sends you an email to verify your registration. This is were you can then complete the application process.

I feel that the staged of the process I managed to get through seemed straight forward and easily understandable.

Considering the aesthetics of the webpage i am very put of by the colours used. I feel that the use of brown is very flat and boring. I know that when I create an accompanying webpage I will have to make it engaging to those who may not have so much knowledge in the way of technology, However I do want the theme and aesthetics to be exciting and inviting.

Even though I feel that I should concentrate on the archive idea for my proposed webpage, if I get time I would like to re-create this system as well as adding in an online brochure to accompany it so all the relevant information regarding my proposed scheme and products are n the same place. This would help to raise awareness of availability.