Design Lead
Gabrielle Merite
Data Visualization Designer
Gabrielle Merite
Ting Fang Cheng
Project Manager
Madeleine Garner, Pentagram
Pentagram Partner
Giorgia Lupi
Deloitte Insights
Expanding an editorial data language into chart templates and infographic frameworks
Context
Deloitte Insights shape how business leaders see the world. Like main research organizations, they operate in two world: Their magazine features sophisticated visualizations by specialist designers while their website relies on more than 20 designers across the globe with high turnover and tight deadlines.
The beautiful data visualization guidelines from Pentagram's rebrand worked perfectly for specialists of the magazine. But the intricate pattern work and custom imagery proved difficult for non-specialists to execute consistently.
Different systems were needed for daily production.
See the Project
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Create
We mapped their actual production needs and rebuilt the system to bridge creative ambition with operational reality, working closely with the original design team at Pentagram
- Production-ready templates:
Built complete Illustrator files with color swatches, naming conventions, and custom brushes, so any designer could start with the right foundation regardless of experience level. - Expanded color system:
Grew their restrictive four-color palette into flexible options that maintained brand integrity while giving teams real choices for different data stories and accessibility needs. - Information hierarchy rules:
Created clear typography and layout standards for infographics, addressing fundamental issues with information organization that weren't covered in the original guidelines. - Brand integration tutorials:
Developed step-by-step guides for incorporating photography and collage elements—core brand features that production teams didn't know how to execute within data visualization.
Create
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The production team now creates more consistent charts with fewer revisions.
More importantly, Deloitte's core Data Visualization team shifted from fixing other people's work to coaching teams through data challenges, gaining recognition as internal experts.
Impact
Credits
Big thanks to Giorgia for bringing us on this project and to the Deloitte Insights team for the trust.
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