Earthwatch
Europe: Annual Report
participants in their projects
The Client
Earthwatch Europe is a global organisation dedicated to advancing environmental conservation through collaborative science and community engagement. Their mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge necessary to protect our planet by connecting people and scientists to conduct impactful environmental research. Earthwatch focuses on safeguarding critical habitats, conserving biodiversity, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources through rigorous and relevant science.
The Opportunity
In a world where digital engagement is increasingly crucial, Earthwatch needed an annual impact report that could reach and resonate with a broad audience, fostering a deeper connection with stakeholders and encouraging them to become active participants in the organisation’s mission.
Earthwatch Europe sought to create a visually engaging and digitally optimised annual report that would effectively communicate their values and the tangible impact of their work.
The goal was to go beyond simply informing stakeholders; the report needed to inspire action by showcasing Earthwatch’s role in addressing critical environmental and social challenges.
The challenge was to design a report that not only adhered to Earthwatch’s established brand identity but also pushed creative boundaries, making the content more relatable and impactful through the use of engaging visuals, interactive elements, and personalized narratives.
“This was our first project with The Graphic Design House and it couldn’t have been smoother. The team paid careful attention to our brief and feedback, was responsive and flexible, and showed hard work and creative flair.”
Amy Crosweller
Director of Fundraising & Communications,
Earthwatch
Our Approach
Digital-First Design: To enhance digital readability, we modified the report format from A4 to US letter size, making the pages slightly wider and shorter, which is better suited for on-screen viewing. This simple adjustment significantly improved the user experience on digital platforms.
Immersive Visuals: We used full-bleed images throughout the report to underscore Earthwatch’s commitment to its people and environmental values. These images created a more immersive experience, drawing readers deeper into the content.
Interactive and Engaging Elements: A key requirement was to highlight five major projects and include a “financial year in numbers” section for each. We designed these sections to resemble pull-down tabs featuring infographic-style icons, which not only enhanced visual appeal but also allowed these elements to be easily repurposed for social media posts. Each project was assigned a unique colour from Earthwatch’s brand palette, with tabs located on the right-hand side of the page to aid navigation. To add variety, some tabs were presented vertically, while others were horizontal.
Organic Design Aesthetics: We introduced a more organic and softer visual style by rounding the corners of boxes, tables, icons, headers, and images where appropriate. This approach softened the overall look and feel of the report, making it more inviting and easier to navigate. Text was laid out in a two- or three-column grid, with images strategically placed to break up large sections of text and maintain visual interest.
Centre Spread Infographic: The brief specified the inclusion of a centre spread infographic. We designed this in solid blue to stand out against the other white or light grey pages. The icons within this infographic were created with animation potential in mind, enabling more dynamic delivery across digital platforms.
The Results
By blending these creative elements, we were able to deliver a report that not only informed but also engaged and inspired its audience. This approach fostered a sense of community and shared purpose among Earthwatch’s stakeholders, strengthening their connection to the organisation’s mission.
The final product was a visually compelling and digitally optimized annual report that clearly communicated Earthwatch Europe’s values and the impact of their work. The report successfully combined immersive visuals with interactive elements, making it both informative and engaging. This digital-first approach allowed Earthwatch to reach a wider audience and fostered a deeper connection with stakeholders, encouraging them to become active participants in the organisation’s environmental conservation efforts.
Next Steps
Building on the success of this project, the next steps involve leveraging the annual report’s design elements across other digital and print materials to maintain consistency and reinforce Earthwatch’s brand identity. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Earthwatch, exploring new ways to engage their audience and further amplify their mission of environmental conservation.
“We’re really pleased with the end result, which showcases our work to supporters in a clear and visually compelling way.”
Amy Crosweller
Director of Fundraising & Communications,
Earthwatch
Our Work in Action
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A bold CPR campaign that empowers communities, enhancing emergency preparedness across Hampshire.
Great UK WaterBlitz: Campaign Report
We designed a visually engaging report for Earthwatch Europe’s Great UK WaterBlitz campaign, effectively communicating complex water quality data to a broad audience.
Galapagos Matters
Galapagos Matters’ redesign revitalizes engagement, enhances readability, and strengthens GCT’s conservation mission.