At the start of each new year, NDB sends their warm greetings and sincere wishes to all their member states in the form of desk calendar and greeting cards. Packed within this simple stationary gesture is a multitude of cultural values that represent appreciation and respect for their giftee. Our mission is how to make this gift extraordinary each year.
2024 ADVANCING GROWTH, SUSTAINABILITY AND INCLUSION
- Desk Calendar —— As an interpretation of this year's theme, we designed the calendar with a circle element. This element was chosen to symbolize the keywords - inclusion, connection, earth, and cooperation. The circle, a universal symbol of unity and wholeness, visually represents our commitment to these values. This is visualized not only on the cover but also in the selection of the imagery for the inside pages. Unlike previous calendars, this year celebrates the people who are on the ground behind the NDB projects.
- New Year Greeting Card —— The design for this year's card leverages a trifold approach, creating different layers, from silhouettes of projects to silhouettes of member countries' landmarks, to symbolize collaboration, sustainability, and multilateral projects.
- Chinese New Year Greeting Card —— Welcome to the Year of the Dragon! We designed the card in the shape of a lantern because the Chinese word for "lantern" has the same sound as the word for "dragon." At the same time, lanterns are typical of the Lunar New Year. Red lanterns symbolize family reunion, prosperity, and festivities. The challenge was also to ensure that the look of the dragon was stylized for acceptance in the West, considering our global audience's cultural differences and preferences.
2023 INVESTING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
- Desk Calendar —— This year's calendar is a unique blend of design and content. We drew heavy influence from the 2022 Annual Report, featuring a series of project imagery montaged into the '2023' on the cover. The selected imagery on the inside showcases relevant projects, and we included a small 'fact card' that gives some insight into the project. The country of the project is subtly meshed into the imagery, making each page a visual delight.
- New Year Greeting Card —— The "generic" New Year's greeting card features a bold die-cut of the words 'Happy New Year, ' which, when folded, is backed by an abstract painterly style of a lush green landscape that embodies one of NDB's core values—sustainability.
- Year-of-the-Rabbit Greeting Card —— This thematic greeting card features a Chinese-inspired window element, from the die-cut shape to the inside lattice pattern. We want to show the concept of "opening windows (or doors) to the new year" as a cultural aspect of the Spring Festival.
2022 Stepping Up to Respond to the Needs of Member Countries
▲ Desk Calendar —— Sticking to the annual theme, we utilized a lot of greens to highlight low carbon and environmental protection while featuring new member states and projects. Illustrations showing the landmark buildings of the member states are used for the cover.
▲ Greeting Card —— The overall look and feel has the same NDB style. The die cut shape of a gift in the middle gives the illusion of a fully dimensional look and, when opened, shows the season’s greetings.
▲ Greeting Card —— Happy Year of the Tiger! Here’s a good mix of modern and traditional design elements that is elegant and cool at the same time (check out the sleek pop up tiger inside the card!)
2021 Innovation with Sustainability at its Core
▲ Desk Calendar —— The theme is centered around green development which is the core of NDB (innovation and sustainability).
▲ Greeting Card —— The corporate green color is predominantly used while the landmark buildings are made via bronzing. A cut out arc at the bottom reveals the NDB logo.
▲ Greeting Card —— Bright Chinese red coupled with traditional design elements convey a festive atmosphere.
2020 Technology & Innovation
▲ Desk Calendar —— Flipping through the calendar shows snapshots of the urban life, emphasizing how technology and innovation make life better.
2019 Developing Solutions for a Sustainable Future
▲ Desk Calendar —— The main front page is hollowed out to showcase the latest environmental-friendly wind energy projects in member states that are apt to the annual theme.
▲ Greeting Card —— The garland is quite interesting if you look closely - it’s composed of festive elements and green environmental protection symbols from various countries.
▲ Greeting Card —— The corporate colors and Chinese zodiac (for the year of the Pig) blend well with each other. Symbols of sustainable development can be spotted across the card which give it a strong messaging yet in a fun and inconspicuous way.
Passion ignites creativity - come and share with us ideas how you would embrace the New Year!
If you want to know more "art story" from yaean, please email: info@yaean.com.
