Website and Coffee Table Book
Background
In 2024, the National League of Cities (NLC) reached a significant milestone: its 100th anniversary. To celebrate this occasion, NLC sought to create a commemorative website and a coffee table book that would capture its rich history and ongoing legacy. However, with a century’s worth of history to cover and a diverse array of stakeholders, from small towns to large cities to 49 state municipal leagues, NLC faced the challenge of conveying its story in a way that would engage a wide audience. The website needed to provide historical information and be easily updated by NLC staff throughout the anniversary year, while the book required in-depth coverage based on archival resources, original research, and interviews.
To address NLC’s goals, a comprehensive solution was developed, consisting of a visually engaging and thoroughly researched coffee table book and a dedicated anniversary website.
Anniversary Website
For the anniversary website, WCM brought together layout, design, photography, and content creation to build a digital experience that celebrated NLC’s history while looking ahead to its future. Our editorial and design teams worked together to transform research and interviews into engaging narratives paired with carefully selected archival images. Every visual choice—colors, typography, and layouts—was guided by a distinct style guide created exclusively for the anniversary, setting the site apart from NLC’s main web presence while still maintaining the organization’s established identity.
The result was a vibrant and dynamic website that served multiple purposes: celebrating NLC’s century of impact, showcasing upcoming events, and providing a space for members and the public to explore its history. The user interface was designed to be both visually striking and intuitive, ensuring a seamless experience for visitors and NLC staff alike. After the site’s launch in the fall of 2023, WCM continued to support the project, providing training and ongoing technical assistance so that NLC could keep the site fresh and up-to-date as the anniversary year unfolded. Ultimately, the website became more than just a digital archive—it is a living tribute to NLC’s legacy that invites users to become part of the organization’s next chapter.
Commemorative Coffee Table Book
From the initial planning stages to the final print, WCM seamlessly integrated editorial and design to create a compelling anniversary book that encompassed NLC’s 100-year journey. Our editorial team began by crafting a narrative that highlighted NLC’s major milestones, drawing from extensive research and interviews. At the same time, our design team conceptualized layouts that elevated these stories, using clean visuals and thoughtfully curated archival imagery to create a cohesive look and feel.
To best illustrate NLC’s story, our photo team sourced and restored historical images, utilizing advanced editing software and AI tools to improve resolution and clarity. We also meticulously color corrected each image, lending vivid detail to every page. Throughout the process, we held regular check-ins and made refinements accordingly to ensure the editorial and visuals matched NLC’s mission and vision for the celebration of its 100th anniversary.
We also collaborated closely with our printing partners, conducting detailed proof reviews to confirm that every color, design element, and image was flawlessly rendered on the printed page. The result was a visually compelling and editorially engaging testament to NLC’s century-long impact, honoring its legacy and inspiring readers for the next 100 years.
Our comprehensive approach helped celebrate NLC’s 100th anniversary with the depth and respect it deserved, leaving a lasting impression on its members and the communities it serves.
Project Activities Included
- Creative Direction
- Editorial Planning
- Content Development
- Archival Cataloging and Research
- Writing, Editing, and Proofreading
- Book Layout and Design
- Website Development and Design
- Photo Research and Editing
- Pre-Press Production Services
- Project Management
- Printing and Distribution