Shanzeh Adnan - PEI GROUP: EDITORIAL

editorial, 2023–present
peI GROUP: editorial

At PEI Group, the design team works on producing subscriber-focused magazines covering private equity, ESG and the wider financial landscape. Each publication combines editorial content with thoughtful use of infographics, illustrations and imagery to make complex industry topics engaging and accessible to a professional audience.

From concept and layout through to final production, the design process balances strong visual communication with the established identity of each PEI publication, creating cohesive and engaging issues across both print and digital formats. All published PEI magazine issues can be viewed here.

BRIEF

The briefs for the magazines involve producing a monthly publication that evolves in line with current trends and industry developments. Each edition is tailored to reflect the most relevant and timely topics within the private market space, with frequent themes including ESG, LPs and GPs, and Infrastructure. The content, layout, and visual direction of each issue are adapted to suit the focus of the month and the brand, ensuring the magazine remains both engaging and informative for its professional audience. This approach allows the publication to stay responsive to market shifts while consistently delivering high-quality, topical insight to its readers.

COVER DESIGNS

Covers of previous PEI magazine issues

VCJ's January/February 2025 issue

IDEATION

Moodboard of cover ideas

For each cover, the process begins with a creative brief from the editor outlining the key theme, story or subject. From there, the design team explore a range of visual ideas and concepts, considering composition, imagery and creative direction before developing the strongest concept into a final cover design.

Careful consideration is given to the target audience, subject matter and tone of each story, when initial ideas are drawn out. Imagery needs to communicate the core message at a glance while remaining appropriate and sensitive to the topic. For example, stories exploring tensions between the US and China and their impact on financial markets require visual concepts that convey the economic and political context without relying on imagery that could be perceived as provocative or offensive.

Collated cover ideas for the PEI 'Advanced Technologies & AI' 2026 magazine cover

DATA

As part of the magazine design process, datasets were provided, enabling the team to create clear, engaging charts and data visualisations. This involves analysing and interpreting complex information, then translating it into visually compelling and easily digestible graphics that align with the magazine's editorial tone and layout. The goal was to present data in a way that informs, engages, and enhances the reader's understanding.

INFOGRAPHICS

Data spread from Private Equity International's December 2025/January 2026 issue

Infographics spread from Private Equity International's September 2025 issue

The Number Cruncher from Private Equity International’s September 2025 issue explores the domestic private equity industry in Australia. The spread combines key industry data with infographics and visual elements to transform statistics into an engaging and easy-to-digest format, allowing readers to quickly understand the key figures and trends shaping the Australian PE market. The full issue can be found here.

Number Cruncher spread from Private Equity International's May 2023 issue

Another Number Cruncher from Private Equity International's May 2023 issue features a dynamic page spread that uses infographics to present complex data in a visually compelling and engaging manner. Recognising the importance of data-driven storytelling, this double-page spread was designed not only to convey information accurately but also to engage the consumer in the data being presented. The full issue can be found here.

Map infographic from Private Debt Investor's April 2023 issue

The map spread featured in Private Debt Investor’s April 2023 issue effectively presents data through the use of a map infographic. This spread allows readers to visually explore and comprehend complex information related to the topic. Within the same issue, the cover story uses abstract imagery to break up text and introduce engaging elements to the spreads.

TEXT AND IMAGE LAYOUT

Magazine page templates are used across the team to create a consistent and efficient production workflow. Copy supplied by editors is placed into the appropriate layouts, with imagery then selected and incorporated to complement the content. Layouts are refined and adapted as needed to create the strongest visual hierarchy and best fit for each individual article.

The Woman of Influence cover story spread from Venture Capital Journal's July/August 2023 issue

The page spreads for the 2023 Women of Influence issue of the Venture Capital Journal magazine, were designed specifically for the inbound article. The concept behind this design was to utilise abstract shapes and distinct colour palettes to create visual prominence, establish a clear hierarchy, and facilitate differentiation between each of the magazine's features that highlight the impactful Women of Influence. Through the strategic implementation of abstract shapes and individual colour palettes, the aim was to capture the attention of readers and create a visually captivating experience. By employing this visual strategy, we sought to honour and celebrate the remarkable achievements of these influential women while ensuring a cohesive and engaging layout for the magazine's inbound pages. The full issue can be found here.

Cover story pages from the Buyouts September 2023 issue

The September 2023 issue of Buyouts features a captivating cover image that centres around abstract and whimsical food imagery, artfully chosen to mirror the cover story's utilisation of food-related metaphors throughout its articles. By employing this creative approach, the cover image aims to visually represent the underlying themes and concepts explored within the issue. The abstract and playful nature of the food imagery not only catches the eye but also evokes a sense of intrigue and curiosity, enticing readers to delve into the magazine's content. Through this deliberate visual choice, the cover image establishes a strong visual connection to the cover story's use of food metaphors, providing a cohesive and engaging experience that captivates readers and sets the tone for the insightful articles within. The full issue can be found here.