PROCESS
I began with a critical evaluation of last year's design. Throughout each spread, it became obvious that if the content was a performer, it was not properly taking the stage. Additionally, the report needed to more firmly address IU Auditorium's audience with the strength and class of our current brand voice.
2015 annual report.
Evaluation of the 2015 annual report's pacing.
Once I'd evaluated the 2015 annual report, I sought out examples of visually and conceptually strong annual reports. I collected another moodboard with IU-based inspiration. One moodboard served to inspire, and the other to structure my work.
Excellent annual report example moodboard. Most, coincidentally, come from Pentagram projects.
IU design moodboard.
Analyzing well-designed annual reports and the variety of information to be contained within the 2016 report inspired me to work using a loosely asymmetrical two-column grid. Throughout the creation process, I used a rapid, sketch-based iterative workflow. Some spreads came together straight from sketch. . .
2016 annual report introduction: from sketch to mid-process screencap.
...and some spreads required a little more experimentation before coming together.
Design progresses from left to right.
For the spreads that didn't seamlessly come together from sketch to InDesign, it helped me to rapidly iterate within the computer, quickly working one design, copying the page, redesigning it, and at the end of a set time frame, evaluating my work and moving forward with the most successful page.
Rapid iteration on potential info graph styles for the season ticket infographic. Progress runs from left to right.
My iterative process on the contents spread, from start to finish. The design progress runs from left to right.
Structuring my process around a critical analysis, understanding of brand objectives, and an iterative workflow resulted in an annual report that strongly communicated IU Auditorium's brand. A grid smoothed the pacing. Expanding data-driven content into airy, full-page infographs balanced out the text-heavy pages opposite, promoted readership, and displayed a business transparency appropriate to our non-profit status. Using colors and fonts from IU brand's secondary palette unified IU Auditorium with the university at large while retaining its unique voice and positioning. Simplifying the pacing and using rich colors and strong visuals fully showed off the Auditorium's class and quality. With a strong process, the report became a touchpoint strengthening IU Auditorium's brand.
Final 2016 annual report.
