Wildlife Matters Magazine

Bringing Your Charity’s Story to Life, Page by Page

The brief

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity dedicated to protecting wildlife and connecting people with nature. With over 40 nature reserves covering more than 1,900 acres, the Trust engages a community of 22,000 members and numerous volunteers across Hertfordshire and Middlesex. TGDH has worked with the Trust for over a decade, designing, printing, and mailing their bi-annual magazine, Wildlife Matters.

For the Summer 2024 edition, the Trust asked TGDH to continue producing a visually engaging magazine that adhered to established brand guidelines. The brief focused on creating a publication that would captivate a diverse readership, from casual nature enthusiasts to committed conservation supporters, using strong imagery and a vibrant, seasonal colour palette.

Kestrel-©-Russell-Savory
HMWT Wildlife matters magazine covers from the last two editions

Our approach

From maintaining the established brand identity to designing every page of the Summer 2024 magazine, we focused on creating a publication that informs, inspires, and engages readers. Hover over the flip tiles below to explore each step of our design process.

Spreads of features for Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's  'Wildlife Matters' magazine.

Cohesive theme and layout

Spreads of features for Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's  'Wildlife Matters' magazine.

We maintained the familiar visual identity of Wildlife Matters while introducing seasonal elements for the Summer 2024 edition. A consistent grid system across 28 pages ensured the magazine remained balanced and easy to navigate.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's 'Wildlife matters' magazine inside spread featured article about bird of prey

Using brand colours

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's 'Wildlife matters' magazine inside spread featured article about bird of prey

Greens, blues, and yellows from the Trust’s palette were applied throughout to unify the magazine and reflect the natural world. The colours were used across different sections, tying the content together and improving the aesthetics of the magazine.

Covers and back covers for Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's  'Wildlife Matters' magazine.

Captivating cover design

Covers and back covers for Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's  'Wildlife Matters' magazine.

The cover featured a large full-bleed image to draw readers in, while full-page spreads showcased striking animal portraits and landscapes. These spreads combined visual impact with educational content, allowing readers to engage with and appreciate the natural world.

Earthwatch Europe cover design

Full-page and feature layouts

Earthwatch Europe cover design

Full-page images and structured text layouts were used to showcase stories and photography, helping readers engage with the Trust’s conservation work in a clear and visually appealing way.

“From initial designs to final delivery their communications, creativity and attention to detail are excellent… I would wholeheartedly recommend TGDH”

Debbie Bigg
Communications & PR Officer
Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Cover design for Wildlife Matters
Stats page design for Wildlife Matters

Results & next steps

In the conservation world, effective communication is key to driving awareness and action. The Summer 2024 edition of Wildlife Matters hit these goals, with the magazine being distributed to over 13,000 members. A 28-page magazine printed on 90gsm Offset paper. The design supported the Trust’s objectives by presenting information in a clear, visually consistent, and accessible way. Readers were able to explore conservation stories, enjoy wildlife photography, and stay informed about local and national efforts. By maintaining a familiar yet refreshed design, the magazine reinforced the Trust’s connection with its community and continued to be an important tool for engagement, education, and advocacy.

The Graphic Design House will continue producing future editions of Wildlife Matters and other design projects for Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, supporting their ongoing conservation mission and community engagement through clear, accessible, and visually appealing design.

Could your next issue inspire like Wildlife Matters?

Our work in action

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