Insights 2026
Understanding Society’s latest Insights publication was launched in February 2026, and marks the 6th consecutive edition I’ve designed; for both print and digital.
Each year the look and feel is completely reimagined to reflect the theme.
The front cover image of a broken fence that reveals green space beyond illustrates the title: “barriers to opportunity”. The view through this fence, to lush green grass and majestic trees beyond, signifies opportunity, presenting an optimistic feel and tone.
Throughout the brochure, images of young children playing on ladders continue to signify opportunity, whilst candid, unstaged photography and evolving chapter headers that grow from childlike type to more mature styles, also support the narrative.
A flexible grid keeps each spread fresh and engaging; designed to be easy to read and inviting to flick through.
Insights 2025
Insights 2025 was launched in February 2025 at a conference at the British Academy that brought together policymakers, industry experts, housing professionals, civil society organisations and academics, to explore the interconnections between housing, incomes and household behaviours and the impact on health, wealth inequality, and climate change.
Often, the Insights report will feature imagery that is photography-based. But this year, a more thoughtful and creative approach felt more appropriate. By embracing a painterly style, we not only added an artistic flair, but also shifted the focus towards the emotional and human element, making the data feel more relatable and impactful. This method brought a unique, personal touch to this year’s Insights report.
The bold colour palette is used to differentiate the different chapters and the layouts are made visually compelling with pull-out quotes and plenty of infographics to really highlight the stats.
– What the client said –
“Insights is our flagship annual policy report and we needed a design which was bold, but compelling to read. Joy really understood the brief and created a report which visually told the story of the complex research findings in the report, and captured the human needs at the centre of academic and policy work on housing.”
Becky Parsons Associate Director
Communications and Engagement at Understanding Society
University of Essex
I’ve had the privilege of working with Understanding Society on many of their previous Insights reports, which each year take an in-depth look at the evidence on topical policy issues.
Click here to view / download previous issues of Insights
