9 METHODOLOGIE

The Federal Home Loan Bank Seattle (FHLBS) 2005 annual report is enclosed in a soft, brown-bag cover, which lends the report a humble air. Designer Minh Nguyen and photographer Young Lee of Methodologie traveled to small communities to capture the intimate experiences of 18 individuals who flourished with the aid of the FHLBS Affordable Housing and Community Investment Program.

The pamphlet is packed with bold portraits surrounded by loose text that invites the reader into a diverse array of inspirational stories. “It’s rather easy to be personal with these people because I think they’re very eager to share their stories—stories that they are proud of,” reflects Nyugen. “They invited us into their homes and workplaces; some made cookies for us, cider, tea, and we just sat and talked.” The photographs are brave and carefully composed, echoing the evocative high-fashion photography found in the glossy pages of avant-garde magazines. The palette is stark yet seductive, offering startling relief from the dreary mood of most annual reports. Still, the most striking aspect of this report is the integrity of the subjects’ personal biographies. Nyugen adds, “The most enjoyable part was meeting the people.” by Zoe Weisman

Methodologie
ART DIRECTOR: Bo Gilliland
DESIGNER: Minh Nguyen
PHOTOGRAPHER: Young Lee
CLIENT: Federal Home Loan Bank Seattle
CONTACT: www.methodologie.com