Financial report design

Our creative strategy combined a logical structure with fresh and engaging visuals to produce a financial report design that effectively conveys the company’s achievements.

Background

The work carried out by our client is vital to the communities it serves. The company owns, runs and maintains the region’s electricity network, connecting over 2 million properties and 5 million people to the UK’s National Grid. The company is committed to shaping the future of electricity supply, something they demonstrate through regular communications with customers and shareholders.

Challenge

We had previously collaborated with our client to create a fresh and engaging annual report that captured their vision. This time, they wanted a report design with a more corporate feel, aligning with their recently updated brand guidelines. While the style needed to reflect a more formal and professional tone, the report still had to engage audiences and leave a lasting impression. Our challenge was to craft a design that balanced structured clarity with visual appeal, ensuring the company’s achievements were not only communicated effectively but also presented in a way that resonated with stakeholders.

Solution

We carefully planned the report’s structure to follow a clear and logical layout, allowing complex financial information to be presented in a way that was accessible and easy to follow. We strategically organised each section to guide the reader through data, ensuring that financial insights were conveyed with clarity. By combining a structured approach with carefully selected design and visual elements, we created a financial report that was not only informative but also engaging.

To bring the corporate message closer to customers and shareholders, we introduced infographic-style illustrations, a refined colour palette and high-quality professional photography. The combination of these elements helped to humanise the company’s achievements, making them more relatable and visually appealing.

We also chose a rounded yet business-like font that struck a balance between professionalism and approachability. This typographic choice ensured that the content remained credible and authoritative while also feeling modern and engaging.

Rather than overcrowding the report with excessive imagery, we took a more strategic approach by selecting photographs that added meaningful impact. We carefully curated images of customers and staff at work, ensuring that each photograph contributed to the overall narrative rather than simply filling space. This approach helped reinforce the human aspect of the company’s operations, making the report feel more personal and authentic. At the same time, this restrained use of imagery allowed the statistical content to remain the focal point.

To present financial performance with maximum clarity, we displayed essential statistics through clean, uncomplicated graphs, tables and infographics. This structured format made data easier to absorb and interpret, allowing readers to quickly grasp the company’s financial achievements.

Beyond the financial report itself, we also developed an engagement report specifically for submission to Ofgem, the industry’s regulatory body. This supplementary document was crafted with the same attention to clarity and professionalism, ensuring that the company’s commitments, performance metrics and compliance measures were communicated effectively. By designing both reports to complement each other visually and structurally, we provided a comprehensive communication tool that met the needs of stakeholders and regulators alike.