Learn How Photobook Can Enhance HR Communications

At DWHQ, we excel in crafting compelling visuals that resonate with our clients’ core values. One of our standout projects was a collaboration with Steelaris, a prominent steel company, where we created a unique photobook designed to capture the memories and essence of their staff. This was not just a photobook of memories but a strategic HR communication tool, celebrating the strength, unity, and resilience of their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The photobook, framed within a superhero theme, became a powerful branding tool for team-building and employee engagement, aligning both professional and personal identities.

Project Overview: Strengthening Company Culture Through HR Branding

Like many companies, Steelaris faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the resilience, dedication, and unity of their employees allowed them to push through those difficult times. The Steelaris photobook was our way of highlighting and celebrating those qualities – not just through images but as a tool that reflected and nurtured company culture.

By portraying their employees as superheroes, we tapped into a powerful narrative of empowerment and appreciation. The photobook became more than a branding exercise; it became a HR communications tool, enabling staff to share their experience, pride, and achievements not just within the company, but also with their families. This connection between work and home life became an essential part of the company's culture-building efforts.

Design Concept: Superheroes of Steelaris – Strong, Resilient, United

To capture the heart of the Steelaris team, we envisioned their employees as superheroes – symbols of strength, unity, and resilience. Our creative process was rooted in portraying their dedication through a lens that combined fun with depth, creating a visual identity that aligned with the challenges they had overcome.

• Superheroes as a Symbol of Empowerment: Every employee was depicted as a superhero made of steel, representing their toughness, resilience, and dedication to their work. This visual approach not only elevated their morale but also reinforced their importance as key players within the team.

• Caricatures Full of Personality: We designed vibrant caricatures for each employee, ensuring that their unique features were emphasised while still aligning them with the superhero personas. This added a personal touch, honouring each staff member's individuality.

• Comic-Style Graphics for Engagement: We incorporated comic-style visuals and quotes, making the photobook more engaging and relatable. The fun, lighthearted elements added to the overall sense of pride and teamwork, while also giving the staff a means to reflect on their journey.

A Strategic HR Tool for Employee Engagement

Beyond its role as a branded photobook, the Steelaris project became a valuable HR communication tool. By sharing the photobook with their families, employees could create deeper connections, gaining valuable support and understanding from home. The visual storytelling fostered open conversations within teams and brought their personal lives closer to the company’s values.

• Building Employee Connection: The photobook was more than a visual narrative; it was an opportunity for employees to connect with each other and their families. By sharing their superhero personas with loved ones, they were able to gain support, celebrate their roles, and find a deeper sense of belonging.

• Reinforcing Team Unity: Through the photobook, we celebrated the collective strength and unity of the Steelaris team, especially during one of the most challenging periods in recent history. The project became a tool to foster team cohesion and reinforce the importance of each individual’s contribution.

Practical Design: A Handy A5 Photobook Format

The Steelaris Photobook was designed in a handy A5 landscape hardcover format, which allowed us to create a visually striking yet compact collection that was practical for employees to carry, share, and showcase.

Each page of the photobook was designed as a chapter, focusing on memorable moments and key achievements that highlighted the strength and unity of the team. This handy format ensured that it was easy for staff members to take home and share with family, creating a lasting bond between their professional achievements and personal lives.

Creating a Cultural Connection: A HR Communication Strategy

Through this project, we collaborated closely with Steelaris to ensure the photobook was not just a commemorative piece, but a HR communications strategy that would foster long-term cultural connections.

• Employee Empowerment: By personalising each superhero caricature, we were able to empower employees to feel valued and appreciated, reinforcing the message that they are vital to the company’s success.

• Family Engagement: The photobook became a way for employees to share their professional identity with their families, creating a deeper sense of pride and fostering family support. This open engagement helped align work life with personal life, ensuring that employees felt more connected and supported both inside and outside the workplace.

Impact and Results: Branding That Strengthens Culture

The Steelaris Photobook evolved from a creative design project into a powerful tool for HR communications and culture-building. It became a point of pride for employees and a bridge for family engagement, creating a long-lasting connection between the company’s mission and the lives of its staff.

• Bridging Work and Home Life: The superhero-themed photobook allowed employees to share their work achievements and experiences with their families, fostering deeper support and appreciation for their efforts during challenging times.

• Celebrating Team Unity and Strength: By framing the employees as superheroes, we were able to celebrate the strength, resilience, and unity of the team. The photobook served as a visual tribute to their dedication, creating a lasting symbol of their journey.

Results: Strengthening Family Bonds, Teamwork, and Engagement

The Steelaris Photobook project generated remarkable results that went beyond visual storytelling and branding. It created tangible impacts in fostering stronger connections within the company, among employees, and with their families.

• Family Understanding: Through the photobook, employees could share their professional journey and achievements with their families. This strengthened family bonds by giving loved ones a deeper understanding and appreciation of the work employees were doing. It also provided a sense of pride and recognition within the family unit.

• Closer Teamwork: By showcasing each employee as a superhero, the project brought the staff closer together. Employees started recognising each other’s strengths, fostering mutual respect and admiration. This led to increased camaraderie and teamwork, helping Steelaris maintain a more unified and supportive working environment.

• Harmony and Engagement: The superhero-themed approach added a fun and light-hearted element to the company culture, promoting engagement and making work more enjoyable. Employees felt more recognised for their efforts, which improved morale, increased harmony, and led to greater collaboration across the team.

• Recognition Among Peers: The caricatures and superhero personas not only elevated individual personalities but also provided peer recognition in a creative and impactful way. Employees felt valued by both their peers and the organisation, resulting in a more positive and cooperative atmosphere.

The Steelaris Photobook became more than a collection of memories—it became a HR tool for building culture, teamwork, and unity within the company. By connecting employees with their families and celebrating their roles in a fun, engaging way, the photobook led to stronger bonds, a more harmonious work environment, and improved employee recognition and engagement.