MACN
Maritime Anti-Corruption Network
Client: The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) is a global business network working towards the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption that enables fair trade to the benefit of society at large.
Roll: Initially brought in as a graphic designer, I ended up supporting MACN across multiple disciplines. Over a four-year collaboration, I:
– Designed and built a custom WordPress website with a secure member area
– Rebranded the organisation
– Created all core communication assets: reports, social media graphics, digital and physical banners
– Developed motion design assets for presentations and social media
– Provided ongoing design direction and strategic brand and UX guidance to their Copenhagen office
The MACN rebrand
After a year of working closely with MACN, I had a solid understanding of their existing visual identity and how it was perceived — both internally and across the maritime sector. It became clear to me the brand needed to communicate greater authority, clarity, and confidence.
Name and typography:
As MACN’s recognition grew, the full name (“Maritime Anti-Corruption Network”) began to feel overly formal and cumbersome. I recommended embracing the acronym more fully — positioning MACN as the confident, standalone identity. A bold, robust typeface was introduced to match.
Colour palette:
The brand colours were reworked to align more naturally with maritime industry aesthetics.
- Deep blue evokes professionalism, trust, and the sea
- Refined red introduces strength and presence without tipping into aggression
- Pale grey adds softness and a contemporary NGO tone.
- A secondary version of the logo reorders the colours for flexibility in member-facing or high-impact scenarios.
The symbol: Radar meets the 3 Cs
The original radar illustration was simplified and restructured into a strong, versatile symbol. Built into its geometry are three core principles of MACN’s work:
- Collaboration
- Collective Action
- Capability Building
The symbol’s red segment also suggests communication and growth — representing both MACN’s expanding membership and its global reach.
Website Design & UX
I designed and built a WordPress website with a public-facing section and a secure private area for MACN members. The site was search engine optimised, structured for clarity, and fully aligned with the new brand identity.
While the previous site was hard to navigate and visually dated, the redesign prioritised usability, accessibility, and tone. The UX was completely overhauled — I restructured the navigation from the ground up, making sure key content was intuitive to find for both public visitors and member organisations.
A branded news section brought regular updates to life and improved discoverability, while clear calls to action made membership and reporting processes more accessible.
Maritime imagery with intent
This visual direction was a key part of the rebrand. The previous site had a subdued, almost sleepy aesthetic that downplayed the urgency of MACN’s mission. I introduced bold maritime imagery — powerful waves, large vessels, dynamic framing — to reflect the seriousness and global scale of their work.
The aim was to signal strength, clarity, and purpose. The design language helped reposition MACN as a confident and authoritative presence in the industry, while reinforcing the values established in the new identity.
MACN Report Design & Illustration
A selection of report covers and illustrations created to bring clarity, structure, and visual character to MACN’s written output. Each piece was developed to align with the evolving brand identity while supporting the serious nature of the organisation’s work.
I had the pleasure of collaborating with MACN from 2019 through to the end of 2023.