Clients seek out RMJM for not only the vast scope of its services but also the depth of its familiarity with local markets. As a promotion geared to support the 2008 launch of the firm’s new U.S. Urban Design Studio, RMJM’s America’s Best Cities for Design effectively demonstrates the firm’s familiarity with national urban trends in architecture, planning and sustainability.

The book’s design is driven by an essential visualization of statistics. To accomplish this, designers implemented a minimalist and uniform representation of each city, distilling its essential, salient features into a simple and accessible profile. A series of icons representing key design-wise characteristics were developed and served as a quick key to guide the reader through the evaluation of each city. As material for distribution to both industry experts and non-architectural clients, the scheme sought to visualize content in such a way that was comprehensive yet accessible regardless of the reader’s background or industry.

Really good information design: tasteful, clean, accessible. Simplicity is its strength.