For its 2025 Annual Report, ICARDA wanted to mark 50 years of science and impact with a digital experience that felt distinctive, contemporary and easy to navigate. The report needed to communicate complex institutional and research content clearly, while working equally well for readers looking for a quick overview and those wanting to explore outcomes in more depth.

We designed the report as a digital-first editorial experience, using strong hierarchy, structured storytelling and clear navigation to guide readers through ICARDA’s achievements, leadership messages, regional impact and research outcomes. Rather than treating the annual report as a conventional microsite, the design draws on contemporary digital publishing, combining full-width imagery, data visualisation, selective interaction and multimedia to create a more engaging reading experience.

The website was designed mobile-first and developed for integration within ICARDA’s existing WordPress multisite environment. We built the experience around several entry points, recognising that annual report audiences often arrive directly at individual sections through campaigns, partner links or search rather than starting on the homepage. Clear section-level orientation and related content pathways help users understand where they are and move easily through the report. At the centre of the experience is an interactive impact map that brings ICARDA’s global reach to life, allowing users to explore key numbers and performance indicators at global and regional level, with deeper profiles across 14 countries.

Alongside the website, we designed and produced a concise downloadable PDF version using the same core narrative and visual system. The two formats were developed together from the outset, with the digital report supporting exploration and non-linear reading while the PDF provides a polished standalone version for offline reading, donor engagement, government audiences and formal circulation.

The finished report brings together leadership content, an interactive view of ICARDA’s global footprint, thematic 2025 outcomes and financial information within one coherent digital experience.