Spotlight Magazine

Three copies of Spotlight Magazine floating, showing the cover page

Project overview

Spotlight Magazine is a 20-page printed publication produced by Optum for GP practices, bringing together practical content, thought leadership and lighter editorial features within a clear, accessible layout. Following the merger of EMIS and Optum, I led the design of the first fully Optum-branded edition, ensuring the publication aligned confidently with the established brand system while maintaining clarity and readability for its primary care audience.

The project required careful handling of large volumes of copy, strong typographic hierarchy and close collaboration with the marketing lead to refine content and strengthen overall coherence. Alongside leading the editorial design, I commissioned and art directed a bespoke cover illustration, developing a distinctive visual approach aligned to the Summer issue and product theme.

The final publication was printed and distributed to over 3,600 GP practices.

Client: Optum
Role: Senior Designer / Design Lead
Scope: Editorial layout and design, typographic hierarchy, accessibility-led design, content refinement in collaboration with marketing, commissioning and art direction of bespoke cover illustration, print-ready artwork for large-scale distribution

Cover design

Flat image of the cover page showing detail of illustration which shows six adults and one child in a park setting having a picnic, walking and running

Bespoke illustrated cover commissioned and art-directed to reflect the magazine theme

Editorial layouts

Three double-page editorial spreads

Multi-article editorial layouts designed for clarity, accessibility and ease of navigation

Features and content

Double page spread showing crossword and answers

Lighter editorial features designed to balance content-heavy articles

Pull-out poster

Image showing alternating designs of a double sided poster

Double-sided pullout poster designed for GP use and patient-facing display within surgeries

Typography and detail

Four screenshots showing close up details of typography and hierarchy

Typographic detail and hierarchy across long-form editorial layouts

Printed publication

Spotlight Magazine in it's printed form being held in a pair of hands

Final printed magazine, distributed to GP practices nationwide

Client feedback

Helen took ownership of the magazine and elevated its design to feel fully aligned with our brand — delivering the strongest edition yet.
— Marketing Lead, Optum UK