Penn Institute for Urban Research 2022–2023 Annual Report
BACKGROUND
The Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR) works with all twelve schools of the University of Pennsylvania to inform issues of sustainable and inclusive urban growth through research, instruction, and outreach.
They asked Untuck to help create their 2022–2023 annual report, Advancing Urban Transformation, which highlights the research, publications, and other initiatives from the past year—with a special look at the challenges cities face in a post-COVID world.
We wanted to design a report that would highlight the breadth of Penn IUR's work—both national and international, from publications to events, from working with established researchers to supporting the future of urban leadership with undergraduate and graduate programs. We also wanted to create a design that would lend support to the theme of advancement, bringing that element of forward movement throughout, and using it as a tool to create clear visual hierarchies and engaging layouts.
(Work done at Untuck with John & Amy Saal)
In order to weave the theme of advancement throughout the report, we landed on using the arrow—a universal symbol for forward movement and growth—as a primary piece of the graphic language.
Arrows also work well in this context because they are inherently urban and are found peppered throughout cities in signage and wayfinding. We used different styles of arrows to call out information like section introductions and pull quotes, while also using more subtle notches for background elements and featured photos. Mixing these graphic elements with spectacular photography that shows the subjects of Penn IUR's research creates a richly layered report.
