Vital Signs Report 2026
We were delighted to be commissioned once again by MK Community Foundation, this time to design the 2026 edition of Vital Signs.
Having worked on a previous Vital Signs report, we understand both the responsibility and the opportunity this publication holds for the city.
Now in its 13th edition, the report needed to do more than present information. It needed to help people feel the reality behind the data and encourage collaboration across the voluntary, public and private sectors.
The Brief
This year’s report covers ten themes including housing, transport, crime, poverty, health and education.
And findings showed growing pressure across the city, with rising concern about housing and transport. More young people are presenting with mental health issues, and the number of families under financial strain is increasing. Voluntary organisations are certainly stepping in where systems are stretched.
Our challenge was to shape complex research and case studies into a publication that was clear, human and genuinely useful for the people who rely on it too inform decisions.
The MK Community Foundation team provided all of the research and content for the report, including new resident insight that they commissioned themselves this year for the first time.
Our Solution
We were given freedom to shape how the information was presented visually, particularly how the statistics and graphics were arranged across the pages, and to select imagery that would bring the report to life.
Our role was to bring impact and flow to each spread. Important statistics were given space to stand out and human case studies were allowed room to breathe.
Bold infographics make the report’s key information easy to grasp, and photography roots the report in real places. The clear typographic structure and colour coded sections help readers to navigate ten themes easily.
The finished report is more than a publication. It’s a practical tool that will be used by charities, businesses, policymakers and community groups throughout the year.
It gives Milton Keynes a shared understanding of where collaboration is needed most and helps people see how they can be part of the solution.
Their ability to go above and beyond for their clients is incredible
KRISTIAN MACKIE / INNOVATION HUB MANAGER AT MK:U
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