Description:

The role of HR has never been more crucial. As HR professionals navigate economic uncertainty, technological change and evolving workplace expectations, they have a unique opportunity to shape the future of work in Aotearoa. HRNZ recognises this. As the Institute of HR professionals in New Zealand, we see how our members need quick access to reliable, engaging content that reflects the dynamic nature of this industry and these changes.

Human Resources magazine (published since the 1996) is New Zealand’s leading publication for human resources professionals, people leaders and business owners. While highly informative in its content, it had become outdated in both functionality and aesthetics. Since the magazine became digital-only during the COVID-19 pandemic, reader feedback indicated that despite valuing our content, they found the layout cumbersome and disconnected from modern HR practices. We needed a magazine that could deliver sophisticated insights with effortless navigation.

Our modernisation centred on two core principles: i) update the magazine and ii) embed it to The Path – our newly launched, first-of-its-kind capability framework and professional accreditation system for HR professionals. We wanted to theme content that allows readers to dive deep into topics directly aligned with The Path framework. We also envisioned a digital reading experience that mirrors the contemporary HR professional’s workflow – people-centric, varied and ever-changing.

To align to The Path, we introduced a tagging system (via a banner on each article) that allows readers to understand the Capability Level that the article sits at, from simple customer-focused delivery articles to highly strategic and complex articles. For example, an HR director may want to read the Governs articles, while an HR graduate may wish to read the Delivers and Advises articles.

The covers were updated to place the HRNZ brand at the forefront of the cover architecture, with careful, people-focused image selection connecting to each issue’s theme, and reflecting a diverse and ‘local’ face. The covers run in a quarterly cycle, running through four letterform-based lockups, using the HRNZ brandmark to create typographic framing devices.

The visual language draws inspiration from modern workplace design, employing a warm, professional palette that balances authority with approachability. The typography system uses WorkSans for headlines, body text and captions, which serve as a versatile family of fonts. This font crucially includes macrons to allow for seamless use of te reo Māori, demonstrating our commitment to presenting this language throughout our magazine.

We also made use of the ISSUU platform’s ‘story’ function, which flexes seamlessly across screen sizes and allows readers to scan the articles and find relevant content quickly, rather than scrolling through a whole magazine.

This redesign transcends typical magazine ‘refreshes’ by deeply understanding and responding to the evolving needs of its readers: HR professionals.

The design was developed with input from leading HR professionals, ensuring alignment with current industry practices and future trends. This collaborative approach has resulted in more than a magazine redesign – it’s a reimagining of how HR professionals interact with digital content and their professional development.