CORPORATE PUBLICATION DESIGN
Rio Tinto Simandou publication
The challenge
The Simandou project is the largest mining and related infrastructure project in Africa. Rio Tinto needed a 32-page corporate publication that could communicate the scale, complexity and ambition of the project, while also putting the people, culture and communities of Guinea at the heart of the story. Working with the Rio Tinto Communications team, my design role went beyond simply laying out the content. The project involved shaping how this complex story would be experienced visually and balancing technical information with editorial storytelling, strong photography and a clear narrative flow. Read on to see the solution…
CORPORATE PUBLICATION DESIGN
The solution
The publication was approached as a storytelling piece rather than simply a collection of corporate information. Working within Rio Tinto’s established brand guidelines, I helped the team design a visual direction and considered how typography, imagery, information hierarchy and page composition could work together to guide the reader through the story. Each spread was carefully considered as part of the wider narrative. Information-heavy pages were balanced with impactful photography and more human-focused moments, creating a rhythm that made the publication feel engaging without losing its corporate credibility. And of course, ensuring that the publication respectfully reflected the cultural context of Guinea and remained true to the Rio Tinto brand.
The outcome
The result was a 32-page publication that transforms a complex, large-scale project into a clear and engaging editorial experience. By bringing together information, photography and considered design, the publication communicates both the scale of Simandou and the people and communities connected to it. It’s a great example of how thoughtful publication design can do more than make information look good; it can shape how a story is understood and remembered.
Client kudos
“I had the absolute pleasure of working with Rachel on a complex publication project, and she was nothing short of amazing. Not only is she a truly talented creative designer with a sharp eye for layout and publication design, but she’s also incredibly organised, responsive, and a fantastic communicator. She brought thoughtful, strategic recommendations to the table and helped us navigate some tricky stakeholder feedback with grace and professionalism. She was also so patient and positive through many rounds of changes and shifting deadlines, and always focused on solutions and delivering a high-quality product. Her flexibility and calm, logical approach made her feel like a true extension of our team. Beyond her impressive skills, she’s just a genuinely lovely person to work with. I’d jump at the chance to collaborate with her again, and recommend her for any design projects.”
— Camille, Rio Tinto