Südostbahn and Sags win German Design Award for "Essenz"
The Swiss Südostbahn’s customer magazine «Essenz» was honored with the German Design Award in the «Excellent Communications Design Editorial» category. The St. Gallen-based communications agency Sags was responsible for the design and co-editing.
Four times a year, Südostbahn's customer magazine "Essenz" inspires travelers with ideas for journeys of discovery through Switzerland: diverse, surprising and with attention to detail. The magazine has now been honored with the German Design Award for excellent communication design. The magazine is available free of charge on all Südostbahn long-distance and regional trains. It is also available at selected SOB and SBB stations and from tourist partners.
"Essenz underlines the quality of our travel experience in the Traverso," says Reto Ebnöther, Head of Marketing and Sales at Südostbahn. In its appraisal, the jury wrote: "With its clear, charismatic design, 'Essenz' invites you to discover Switzerland from new perspectives." Interplaying content, expressive images and consistent language convey curiosity and a desire to travel. "The careful selection of topics and the harmonious combination of information and inspiration make this magazine an impressive role model for contemporary editorial communication at the highest level."
"The essence combines thematic journeys of discovery through Switzerland with the bookable travel offers of Südostbahn and thus inspires customers to plan excursions with the long-distance and suburban railroad lines of Südostbahn," emphasizes editorial manager Semra Yavuz.
Traditional travel posters as inspiration
The St. Gallen communications agency Sags is responsible for the design and co-editing of the magazine. "Curiosity is the essence of travel. It drives us in the editorial and design department along the four seasons to satisfy our own curiosity and pass on our discoveries to the travelers of the Südostbahn," says Robert Diener, founder and owner of Sags.
The cover image by artist Iuna Tinta (Corinne Weidmann) also contributes to the high recognition of the essence. In terms of design, the artist draws on the traditional travel posters that were ubiquitous in the first half of the 20th century and stages the Südostbahn trains in the scenic landscapes of Switzerland.
Responsible at Schweizerische Südostbahn: Reto Ebnöther (Head of Marketing and Sales), Semra Yavuz (Editorial Manager and Head of Marketing Services), Conradin Knabenhans (Head of Product Management). Responsible at Sags: Robert Diener (editor, concept, creative direction), Urs Andermatt (editor/author), Céline Hess (art direction/layout), Noemi Koch (photo editor).
