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A close-up of an open book with bright orange pages against a lilac background. The edges of the pages show thin layers of light blue and yellow.

Brighten the Corners live up to their name with this colour-saturated annual report

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Date
22 August 2012

The words “annual report” conjure up images of grey men in grey suits compiling charts and graphs on grey paper ready to be distributed to grey clients in a decidedly grey world. Pretty darned grey – and I can’t be the only one that thinks this. There must be thousands of offices worldwide churning out these drab documents every year.

International lighting giants Zumtobel have clearly gotten wise to this phobia of tedious corporate documents and decided to buck the trend, commissioning Brighten the Corners and Anish Kapoor (no big deal) to produce a sensationally designed double-volume that utilises no less than ten overlaid neon inks. Take that grey!

In one volume, the meat of the report is discussed – the highs, the lows, the challenges overcome – and in the second we’re treated to an explosion of neon solar flares that leap from the page. We’re at a loss as to how this magnificent volume was printed, suffice to say whoever was responsible knows their Heidelberg inside out. Incredible work from everyone involved. Now let’s just hope more annual reports start to look this good.

Two rectangular cards lay overlapping on a bright pink background. One is white with a grey halftone gradient, and the other is dark grey with a lighter halftone circle.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

An open book lies flat against a bright pink background. The white pages feature blocks of justified text arranged in a staggered, architectural layout.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

An open book rests against a bright pink background. One page features columns of text and black and white photographs of architecture.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

Two books with halftone dot gradients lie overlapping on a bright pink background. One book is black and the other is white.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

A close-up of an open book with bright orange pages. The book is set against a solid lilac background.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

An open book lies flat against a bright pink background. A soft, blurred blue gradient glows from the centre of the white pages.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

An open book lies flat against a bright pink background. The white pages feature a soft, blurred gradient of yellow around the edges and a glowing pink centre.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

A soft gradient of peach and orange tones. A subtle diagonal line divides the frame, creating a gentle fold or crease.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

An abstract image of a soft, pale purple gradient. A thin, sharp red line cuts diagonally across the frame, glowing brightest in the centre.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

An open book with pages featuring a soft blue and purple gradient. The book is set against a plain pink background.
Above

Brighten the Corners & Anish Kapoor: Zumtobel Group Annual Report

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About the Author

James Cartwright

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James started out as an intern in 2011 and came back in summer of 2012 to work online and latterly as Print Editor, before leaving in May 2015.

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