Corporate annual report design

A combination of high-quality photography, playful illustrations and dynamic layouts transformed data into a corporate annual report design that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Background

Electricity North West – one of the 14 local power network operators in the country – provides power to almost 2.5m properties and businesses in the region. Employing over 1,600 people in the area, innovation and sustainable development of cities and countryside alike are at the heart of what our client does for their customers and shareholders.

Challenge

Electricity North West wanted their corporate annual report to serve as more than just a document; it needed to create a strong connection with their audience by capturing the essence of their forward-thinking vision while still acknowledging the company’s long-standing heritage. Their goal was to produce a report that felt fresh, modern and engaging, while also paying tribute to their legacy and the communities they serve.

To achieve this, the corporate annual report design needed to be visually engaging, ensuring that key messages, financial insights and business developments were presented in a clear, accessible and compelling manner. The report had to appeal to a diverse audience, including investors, regulatory bodies, business partners and local communities, each with a unique interest in the company’s performance and long-term strategy.

Solution

We developed a compelling report design that does far more than just present information: it actively engages readers and sparks discussion. This essential communications piece is designed to capture attention, ensuring that its content resonates with the audience and leaves a lasting impact.

We carefully considered every element of the design to guarantee readability and engagement, making complex information clear, accessible and easy to digest. The layout, imagery and typography work together to create a seamless reading experience, ensuring that key messages are highlighted effectively without overwhelming the audience. The design strikes the right balance between informative content and dynamic visuals, supporting knowledge-sharing and ensuring that the content is absorbed quickly.

Electricity North West operates across a varied and dynamic landscape, spanning from remote rural areas in Cumbria to fast-paced urban and industrial hubs like Manchester. This diverse operating environment is reflected in a corporate annual report design that effectively represents both ends of the spectrum, blending these contrasting settings into a visually engaging and cohesive format.

To bring Electricity North West’s relationship with its customers to life, we introduced a series of vibrant and engaging illustrations, strategically placed against rural backdrops. These visuals were designed to highlight the company’s everyday impact, showcasing the ways in which it interacts with and serves its diverse customer base. By integrating these illustrative elements, we created a storytelling experience that made the report more approachable, engaging and relatable to a broad audience.

The contemporary colour palette played a vital role in reinforcing the company’s forward-thinking ethos, symbolising innovation and adaptability. The bright, modern tones reflect the energy and vibrancy of urban areas, while still maintaining a sense of stability and reliability, both of which are crucial aspects of Electricity North West’s brand identity.

To add a sense of credibility and authenticity, we incorporated high-quality professional photography that showcases the company’s infrastructure and dedicated teams at work. These editorial-style images give the report a magazine-like feel, transforming it from a standard corporate document into a visually engaging publication that naturally draws readers in. This approach enhances the emotional connection between the company and its stakeholders, reinforcing the real-world impact of Electricity North West’s work.

The report layout was meticulously designed to prioritise clarity and ease of reading. We structured the content in a way that allows information to breathe, ensuring that readers can absorb the information quickly and effortlessly. The clean, well-organised format makes navigating the corporate annual report intuitive and user-friendly. By blending compelling storytelling, strong visuals, and structured content, the corporate annual report design successfully conveys Electricity North West’s commitment to progress, innovation and community engagement, while also celebrating its heritage and long-standing presence in the region.