Produced by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Mayor’s Desk is a collection of interviews with 20 mayors across five continents—including a forward by Michael Bloomberg—revealing creative strategies for how local leaders have made their cities more healthy, functional, fiscally sound, and sustainable places to live and work during a period dominated by racial unrest, the Covid pandemic, and the increasing impact of the climate crisis.
Bloomberg posted about the book on Twitter, calling it “a holiday gift idea for anyone who cares about the future of cities.”
The typeface used in the book for bold headings and clean body copy evokes street signage—a focus of local government that can have direct impact on everyday lives. This creates an accessible reading experience using a constrained set of elements, while still deploying the type in a variety of creative ways.
Similarly, the underlying layout grid provided a solid foundation that could be used flexibly, including allowing the incorporation of sidebar annotations, captions, and a wide range of photography that added to the broader story of each mayor’s city. The shifting layouts reflect the diversity and mutability of the cities and their leadership.