Bold moves demand bold design—where adaptive typography scales and shifts like the business itself, flexible layouts mirror nimble thinking, and raw portraits of hands, tools, and determination capture the restless spirit driving construction's next evolution.
Clearwater Construction's 40th anniversary publication embodies the company's philosophy of "Bold Moves" through every design decision. The project captures four decades of risk-taking, growth, and strategic pivots by founder Mike Sullivan through a visual narrative that's as nimble and fluid as the business itself. The contemporary Sharp Grotesk typeface family mirrors this adaptability—its multiple weights and widths create evolving headlines that contract and expand, reflecting the company's ability to scale and adapt. A consistent blue palette honours the company name, while colorised macro imagery of hands and tools provides poetic visual punctuation throughout the document.
The photo essay prioritised authentic character over corporate polish, distributing staff portraits across active construction sites and Clearwater's humble Greenland administration villa. Direct-to-camera portraits with shallow depth of field blur backgrounds to spotlight the people themselves, creating an intimate connection that reflects the collaborative spirit driving the company. Epic drone imagery provides scale and context, while beautiful macro shots of workers' hands and tools serve as section dividers, celebrating the craftsmanship at Clearwater's core. The natural, uplifting tone keeps talent at ease, ensuring genuine personalities shine through rather than forced corporate smiles.
The publication's flexible layout system reflects Clearwater's nimble business approach, with staff profiles varied in treatment and boldly peppered throughout the document. This design strategy transforms what could have been a standard corporate milestone piece into a genuine celebration of collective achievement that honours both leadership vision and workforce dedication. The result is a sophisticated brand artifact that captures not just 40 years of history, but the adaptive spirit and collaborative culture that will drive Clearwater's next chapter of growth.
Writer: Lisa van Beurden
Photographer: Gareth Moon
Photographer: Gareth Moon
