The international Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC) in Giessen, Germany, offers a doctoral program tailored to the needs of PhD students, with an excellent research environment and the support needed for academic as well as non-academic careers. As part of an excellence initiative for cutting-edge research at institutions of higher education, the GCSC receives government grants of millions of Euro in the double-digit range. To demonstrate that this funding is well invested, a 254-page brochure presents a retrospective look at five years of graduate education. The “Activity Report” provides insights into academic life at GCSC; introduces the people in and around the institution; and lists lectures, workshops, public outreach, academic achievements, and international collaborations.

The straightforward lists of talks, workshops, and graduation topics constitute the basic ingredients of the report – important, but not very entertaining. To increase the value for the reader, we worked with the client to create additional content that presents the emotional aspects of academic life and work.

Graduate students and professors determine the activities at the GCSC. Therefore, it was essential for us to portray the community in an authentic way.

The typographic concept, clear and without frills, punctuates the brochure's seriousness and provides great legibility. Certain content is marked in bright colors, to structure the report in a diversified and comprehensive way.

The various research and graduation topics at the GCSC are represented by a selection of 20 portrait spreads. To enhance them emotionally and ease the reader’s experience, Q created an individual visual concept for each spread.

The statistical part of the report features striking information graphics that present abstract concepts and numbers in an accessible format.