The team at ACNE Amsterdam was asked to create a new visual style and first issue design for DSM’s Science & Solutions magazine. With this magazine, the client was looking to provide their sales teams with new and visually compelling content to market to clients and new prospects, as well as showing that they are a scientific authority on the topics at hand.
This first issue of Science & Solutions followed the theme of ‘Poultry’. Within this topic, we made use of bite-sized items; articles, news, quotes, and statistics, to engage the reader and pique their interest. It was important to the client to keep both the content and look & feel to be science-led and solutions-focused, whilst also showing that the company has sustainability in their DNA.
We used a colourful palette to give the magazine a distinct character, and combined bright illustrations and bold layouts to emphasise the company’s forward-thinking, sustainable vision for the future.
A few cover illustration explorations
Cover design & contents page
Custom illustrations
To give visual support to the articles, next to the photography provided by the client, we created a number of custom illustrations using the brand's colour palette. By adding a grain texture we gave the illustration more dimension, and a layered, more handcrafted look.
Article opening spread
Every article has its own colour scheme using the brand's colour palette. The example below uses the green and blue palette. The usage of large black headings with lines is a reference to the look & feel of an academic journal. We added a splash of colour by highlighting the authors name in the article’s theme colour.
Graph & chart design
To deliver the message in the best possible way, the content had to be visually appealing – whilst keeping the scientific feel. We applied the style we used for illustrations to the graphs and charts, creating a clear balance of form & function.
Columns & grids
To allow for diversity in visual pace and sequence, we created a variety of different column structures that we used throughout the magazine.
Digital version
Next to the printed design, we also created a digital version of the magazine for the client to use and distribute.
