Support reporting on gender-based violence

2019—2021

Brand Design / Book Design / UX / UI / Implementation

Cross media publication, describing guidelines for reporting on gender-based violence. The goal was to create a standard-setting handbook that is widely used by journalists and those who want to become one.

Made for Lucid.Studio.

Screenshot of publication »Silence and Omissions« with some descriptive elements like example illustrations and an example double page from the physical book.

We designed and implemented a publication that was meant to work in printed matter as well as online. The focus was to create a practical product, that is optimized for all use case scenarios. Whether one prefers to read a physical book, enjoys the advantage of clickable links and a search function reading on desktop devices, or checks information on the go via a mobile device. We have taken care of the whole process from understanding the needs of the end client, research, stylistic development, final design, implementation, and print production to shipping.

Dealing with the harsh topic of gender-based violence, we decided to go with illustrations rather than photography. A highly empathic way of communicating is extremely important to us. Working with delicate topics we want to make sure no one is offended, hurt, or gets even re-traumatized. Illustrations can be a workaround to enable more people to identify with the topic, to not show specific people, and to not glorify for example violence by abstracting it.

The close collaboration with the end client — the Center for Women’s Global Leadership — over time zones and continents during the recent pandemic, was mutually enriching despite the circumstances. It is the perfect example of what we love — supporting experts in changing the world for the better and getting a glimpse of their field of expertise through extensive research.

Client

Lucid.Studio

End Client: Center for Women’s Global Leadership

Link to project

gbvjournalism.org

The cover of the printed edition is coated with an iridescent fabric that reflects both corporate colors of JiG (red and purple). The title is applied with high-quality screen printing in white.

The chapter openers each present a quote from the chapter. This is visualized with an abstract illustration. The illustrations help to describe the topic of gender-based violence without glorifying violence or retraumatizing survivors.

Photographs are used only as best practice examples.

A few infographics visualize facts and blend well with the illustration style.

Around the world, a broader kind of cold violence continues. It’s the violence of indignity, of forgetting, of carelessness and of not listening. Opening quote from chapter four by Cathy Otten.

project facts

Typographic expertise is essential for designing a publication best. Any decision regarding the body text should focus on readability.

Rape, violence, and female genital mutilation. These are all words we do not want to hear, it hurts to read them, and it is even harder to visualize them. But it is necessary to be aware of the existence of these topics! Illustrations can be a workaround without glorifying violence, retraumatizing people, or showing actual survivors.

All work on gender-based violence, from selecting sources to conducting interviews to choosing photos and graphics, laying out the news, and writing headlines should center the survivors’ experience and respect their wishes, fears, and dreams.
Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Silence and Omissions. A media guide for covering gender-based violence, New Brunswick 2021, page 50.

Illustrations can reach a broader and mixed audience. It is easier for the recipient to identify with an illustrated person than with a photo of an actual human being with specific characteristics.

Communication with the chief editor in the early stages of a project can help to structure text properly — visually as well as content-wise.

Defining all content types of the text early on is necessary for both — the organized layout of the printed publication and the structure of the digital version.

Working with a very neat and clean InDesign file is crucial for creating an accessible PDF version of the book.

Roughly 15 % to 20 % of working photojournalists are women. To achieve equal representation, a world in which we don’t view most news photos through men’s eyes, requires that we hire more women and nonbinary photographers.
Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Silence and Omissions. A media guide for covering gender-based violence, New Brunswick 2021, page 50.

Client

Link to project

project facts

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