We did two Annual Reports for KB in 1998 and 1999. The second of the two here was based around the idea that the staff and customers are the real heroes of KB even though they are sometimes somewhat invisible. We commissioned Vaclav Jirasek to take some high quality portraits of people ranging from high-level managers, or a conductor of the Czech Philharmonic to young students at the cashpoint, or young couples seeking mortgages. Vaclav chose to crop tightly in on the faces and used a large format camera (which we even had to lump around London in hot weather). The large format creates beautiful depth of field and incredible detail. I am sure it played a large part in us winning out first Czech Top 100 European Design award. Each image had a single word showing key KB values ie Courtesy and the name and occupation of the sitter. I tried to contrast the intensity of the images by using muted pinks, yellows, and greys, based on the colours of carbon copy paper that was still being used at that time. I used red and black sparingly. The book had two flaps inside the front and back covers. The front contained content on the outside and key charts and graphs inside. Likewise the back had the large structure diagram shown here. We were very happy with the results of this report.
Elements:
Name: KB Annual Report 1999 - A4 4/4 spots on uncoated paper with two flaps and coated cover -
12 portraits using a large format camera shot on location around the Czech Republic and in London
Team:
Client: Komercni Banka - Design & photo direction: Simon Gray - Photos: Vaclav Jirasek - Production: doD - Language: CZ & ENG
