Annual progress report design

With this annual progress report design we helped our client ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’ a story of success in transparency and openness.

Background

Founded in 2003 and with 55 member countries, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has established a global standard to promote openness and accountability in the management of oil, gas and mineral resources.

The EITI Standard requires full disclosure of information along the extractive industry value chain, from how extraction rights are awarded, to how revenues make their way through the government, as well as how they are allocated in each country. The EITI seeks to bolster public and corporate governance, promote understanding of natural resource management, and provide the data that will inform reforms aimed at greater transparency in the sector.

The annual report provides an overview of the progress made against those targets in 20 EITI countries around the world.

Challenge

“To Show, Not Tell”

For this latest edition, we were tasked with bringing extractives transparency to life by showcasing key developments, initiatives and breakthroughs across the EITI network. Rather than presenting lengthy, text-heavy explanations, the report design needed to use concise, country-level narratives alongside a highly visual approach. The aim was to “show” rather than “tell”, making the information more engaging, digestible and impactful. This approach would allow readers to browse efficiently, absorb insights quickly and focus on the most relevant details, rather than feel obligated to read through the entire document in its entirety. To achieve this, we needed to ensure the report had a clear and compelling structure, with visually striking elements that would enhance readability and engagement. Infographics, data visualisations and photography would play a key role in reinforcing the narrative, helping stakeholders and policymakers grasp complex issues at a glance.

Beyond the creative and strategic challenges, we also had to navigate several logistical and operational constraints. Like many not-for-profit organisations, EITI faced tight deadlines and limited resources, requiring us to work efficiently and strategically to deliver a high-quality product within these constraints. The project was also set to begin at the onset of the first Covid-19 lockdown, introducing an additional layer of complexity. The remote nature of the collaboration meant we had to coordinate across multiple teams, adapting to shifting priorities and ensuring smooth communication despite the global disruption.

Additionally, the report was required to be multilingual, needing to be produced in French, Spanish and Russian alongside the English version. This introduced another layer of intricacy, as we had to ensure the design remained consistent across all language versions, while accommodating variations in text length and readability. It was crucial that the translated versions retained the clarity, visual impact and structural integrity of the original report, allowing all audiences to engage with the content in an equally effective way.

Solution

We understood the importance of reassuring our client that the project would progress smoothly despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. To ensure seamless communication and a strong start, we quickly organised a ‘Meet the Designers’ video call. This allowed us to establish a clear understanding of the brief, discuss specific project requirements and develop a rapport with the EITI team. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, clarify expectations and ensure alignment on the project’s direction.

Following the call, our design team developed three distinct concepts, each offering a unique visual and structural approach to the annual progress report design. After careful evaluation, EITI selected a final design that combined elements from two of the three initial proposals. The chosen approach resulted in an engaging and accessible annual report, designed to showcase success stories and complex data in an intuitive, visually compelling format.

A very collaborative process with daily deliverables, we received great feedback from our client early on:

“What Parker has delivered to date has been of exceptional quality, and we are really happy with how it’s been going – both in terms of output as well as rapport.

 The report has had a really positive reception thus far and I’m getting a lot of great feedback from my colleagues at the International Secretariat, who are all very impressed with the design.”

Given the technical and intricate nature of the topics covered in the report, we chose to minimise reliance on photography. Instead, we focused on a strong graphical approach to convey information clearly and effectively. The annual progress report design features a rich combination of illustrations, diagrams, tables and data visualisations, all carefully aligned with EITI’s existing visual identity. By prioritising detailed and well-structured graphics, the design not only enhances comprehension but also subtly reinforces the core concept of transparency that lies at the heart of EITI’s mission. The use of precise and clear data visuals ensures that even the most complex information remains approachable and easy to digest.

Maps and diagrams were redrawn from files provided by our client.

Since the report was primarily intended for online viewing but not expected to be accessed frequently on mobile devices, we opted for a landscape layout. This format allowed us to optimise screen space, ensuring that content appeared structured and easy to navigate on desktop screens. Additionally, the landscape orientation – less commonly used for this type of report – added a layer of uniqueness and appeal. When printed, this unconventional format would stand out, sparking curiosity and encouraging readers to explore the document at their own pace.

To accommodate multiple language versions, we implemented a flexible page grid with generous column widths. This provided the necessary adaptability to account for Spanish, French and Russian translations, which naturally take up more space than English. Maintaining readability and ensuring a consistent layout across all four languages was a critical aspect of the project, requiring thoughtful planning and meticulous execution.

Beyond design, we also proofread and conducted a comprehensive quality check on all language versions, ensuring that the translated content remained accurate, well-structured and stylistically consistent. For the printed copies, we recommended a lightweight yet durable paper stock. This ensured ease of distribution in the field, making the physical reports practical for EITI colleagues who needed to travel with them. Additionally, we supplied both digital PDFs for online use and print-ready PDFs, giving EITI the flexibility to distribute the report across multiple channels. By carefully considering both functionality and aesthetics, we delivered a report that was informative, accessible and impactful, successfully meeting our client’s goals.

 

“Parker Design produced a first-rate, high quality annual report for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Thanks to their creativity and stunning visual design, they were able to translate complex information into a digestible and engaging format, so as to convey the impact of the EITI to a broad range of stakeholders.

While the project coincided with the Covid-19 lockdown, they were able to deliver it smoothly and successfully. Their professionalism, flexibility and customer-centric approach made it a real pleasure for us to work with Parker Design on this project.”

Communications Officer – EITI International Secretariat