Q&A teamed up with Global Impact Collective (GIC) on design of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and African Elephant Specialist Group (AESG) African Forest Elephant Status Report. This comprehensive publication documents population trends, threats, and conservation insights across the African continent. This nearly 200-page scientific report was intended for global access and long-term reference, both as a high-resolution digital edition in IUCN’s database and as a press-ready printed volume.
Our Approach
From the outset, this project was about more than layout and formatting. It was an opportunity to reframe complex scientific content into a visually cohesive narrative. The existing files presented several challenges, including an outdated layout that no longer aligned with IUCN’s brand standards and a document built to U.S. size specifications that needed to be adapted to a custom trim size. Updated scientific material expanded the report significantly, requiring careful reflow of nearly 200 pages with close attention to hierarchy and readability.
We also coordinated among multiple contributors, including map designers in the U.S. and Africa working in different software environments, to ensure geographic visuals were consistent and compatible across formats. Throughout the process, we identified opportunities to strengthen clarity across text, charts, tables, and imagery, while preserving the rigor and integrity of the scientific data.
Our Solution
The final deliverables reflect a holistic approach to content and design. We aligned the visual system with IUCN’s updated brand standards, restructured and re-flowed the report for the unique trim size, and produced both optimized digital files and print-ready masters that met technical and aesthetic requirements. Thoughtful image handling and compression strategies ensured the digital edition met strict size limits without compromising quality.
The result is a publication that stands as the most authoritative and current synthesis of information on the African elephant in a decade. It’s a testament to collaborative coordination, strategic design, and careful editorial stewardship; serving as an enduring resource for conservation, research, and advocacy.
