Gesco comprises a group of companies based in western Germany. It specialises in industrial and process technology, as well as health and infrastructure technology.
Gesco’s 2023 report is a large one—unusual for a modern report. At nearly 300 pages, the report benefits from its square shape, as this reduces the sense of scale.
Type treatments run to a heavy, modern serif and a heavy sans serif. While both are beautiful in their own right, this has the effects of making the report feel densely packed. The force-justified 2-column grid reinforces this effect.
The German company, 3st kommunikation, handled the design of the report and emphasises colour within a narrow band of greens and blues. One advantage this has is to strengthen the effect of red, orange, and yellow when they appear.
Each section of the report makes use of a single blue or green, which is then applied throughout the section; as colour fades to fill space; overlays on photographs; or backdrops to portraits. The rigid application of the colour reduces spontaneity but aids navigation. This is a report of compromises, seeking to bring out the best in each section, and more often than not, managing to do so.
