Global Annual Report (2021)
The Nature Conservancy
Roles:
Concept development
Art direction
Design
The Nature Conservancy’s 2021 Annual Report highlighted stories of success and progress across the organization’s climate, oceans, freshwater, lands, and people-focused work. Collaborating with the report’s writer and photo editor, we teased out the visual tone and theme of the report. This theme—confluence—was my guide as I pitched various visual approaches, developed the chosen art direction, and partnered with flat-lay artist Kristen Meyer to plan, source, and create the final art pieces presented throughout the report. (Pictured: Select spreads)
Artwork: Kristen Meyer | Photo Editor: Rolaine Ossman | Photos: Bethany S. Goodrich; Gerry Ellis/ Minden Pictures; Roshni Lodhia; Rory Doyle; Dan Videtich; Eva Lepiz; Lucas Bustamante; Amy Schrei/TNC; Tuguldur Enkhtsetseg/TNC Photo Contest 2019; Tristan Spinski; Sarah Waiswa; Caroline Yang; Andrew Kornylak
Behind the ScenesTo foster a successful collaboration with artist Kristen Meyer, I developed a robust art direction package that merged Kristen’s artistic style with the report’s objectives. Every art piece was broken out with detailed guidance around color, shape, desired movement within each composition, potential materials to use, and materials/species to avoid. Anticipated size and placement specs were also provided via graybox layouts. From here, Kristen and I honed the direction, researched materials, and made plans for sourcing.
Additional ExplorationAn early exploration for visualizing “confluence” utilized fluid gradients and blends in rich colors to evoke a feeling of warmth and renewal. Blending over and into photography, we explored how we might further emphasize the people within the images and build a more integrated visual approach overall.