Your annual report is an extension of your brand. More than a legal requirement, it’s a unique communication tool that connects with investors and stakeholders.
Beyond mere facts and figures, your annual report is an excellent opportunity to create a lasting impression through your company’s story. Enabling your business to stand out from the crowd.
Great design is key in achieving that feat. You’ve seen how the power of design works in various media forms you encounter every day. Now, picture that vital design element in your annual report.
With a well-designed annual report, your stat-filled document will transform into an engaging piece of corporate communication. Styled in a way that will impress and enliven your investors’ reading experience.
You’ll be able to showcase your achievements and make your data easier to understand. Share your company history and how your organisation is primed for growth. Communicate your brand in a way that attracts investors and retains them.
Check out 3 key benefits below with a few examples to show how it actually works for companies like yours. Just a little inspiration for your next annual report.
Let’s begin, shall we?
1. Great design VISUALISES YOUR STORY
While your annual report does present financial and corporate information, it is much more than facts and figures. Designed well, your annual report will resonate your brand identity, while illustrating your values and goals. You can even have a visual theme that complements your narrative to give a positive representation of your company.
Peek into Westgold Resources’ 2020 annual report below to get a better grasp of visualising your story. Click on the image to flip pages of the printed report on its online interactive version.
Westgold Resources’ 2020 annual report
2. Great design BRINGS YOUR NUMBERS TO LIFE
Investors dread reading dull black and white spreadsheets. Photos, charts and graphs are just some of the effective data visualisation you can design your annual report with. These aesthetic elements will make your most exciting metrics easier to understand and highlight major achievements for the year as well.
Explore Omni Bridgeway’s 2020 annual report below for an awesome example of bringing your numbers to life. You can also browse the printed report’s online interactive format when you tap the image.
Omni Bridgeway’s 2020 annual report
3. Great design PERSONIFIES YOUR BRAND
Human connection builds strong brand relationships. Use your annual report to introduce your leaders and decision-makers, so investors get to know who's in your company's driver’s seat. Share photos of your employees and point out how your business operates. Spice it up with human stories about your ventures and feature how you’re making a difference in your community.
Go over Tesserent’s 2020 annual report below and get an awesome sample of personifying your brand through great design. Likewise, you can tap the image to leaf through the printed report’s online interactive format.
Tesserent’s 2020 annual report
In summary
Great design on your annual report will surely turn your drab document into a powerful company resource. It visualises your story, brings your numbers to life and personifies your brand. Making it a brilliant communication tool to connect with your investors and stakeholders.
Take your annual report to the next level
Ready to produce an annual report with great design? We're here to help!
If you haven’t engaged a designer for your annual report yet, perhaps these testimonials from our happy clients could affirm your options with us.
It's a delight to work with Matt (IRM Art Director) and IRM each year on our Annual Report. It's a significant project with many people involved at our end and multiple edits and Matt handles everything with complete grace and professionalism. Matt and IRM are always speedy yet calm and accurate/reliable at the same time - that's a magical combination.
- Marella Gibson, Chief Marketing Officer, Omni Bridgeway
Matt's customer service and response were exceptional, very pleased with the team's efforts.
- Ken Hostland, Chief Operating/Financial Officer, PPK Group
IRM have the ability to run Annual Report projects with precision timing and minimal stress! Their timing for response to queries is impeccable and their costs are very competitive. Very happy!
- Phillipa Thorn, Marketing Communications Manager, Oventus Medical
These acknowledgements are just from some of the many annual reports we've designed for ASX listed companies through the years. See more examples of our work here.
Let’s discuss your queries on +61 2 8705 5444 or clientrelations@irmau.com. You can also get a no-obligation quote here.