Research Analysis

The five examples I've looked at here are a mixed bag, with a lot of good design elements used as well as quite a few uninspiring ones. The Area of Highest Need Annual Report 2010-2011 is not the worst I've seen and works well for its purpose, though I feel if I bring in ideas from other sources I feel I can improve upon it. The order I would put these reports in is as follows:

1. NHS Oxfordshire Annual Report 2011-2012
2. Rosebery Housing Association Annual Report 2011-2012
3. Worcester City AOHN Annual Report 2010-2011
4. NHS Direct Annual Reports & Accounts 2011-2012
5. Two Castles Annual Report for Residents 2010-2011
6. Surrey County Council Annual Report 2011-2012

The top two reports I feel work well because they combine clean white space with cheerful, vibrant colours used in blocks, and combined with photography create an inspiring read. While the full-page photography used in the Rosebery report is not a style that I utilise in my designs and I don't feel that they are completely relevant to the rest of the content, it is a dynamic and eye-catching look. What really catches my eye about that report is the use of infographics to display complex data in an entertaining way.

The reports that I feel don't work to the same extent tend to be more unstructured or wordy, showing charts and tables in simple black and white and putting function over form, where a more designed look could be applied without a detrimental effect. 

I will take elements from all of these reports to take forward to designing my own, as each has their own individual merits. Any of these styles could apply to the Our Happy Place report, as I know that they want to create a more structured-looking document and so I will create a range to show the clients.