One Region, One Vision - GSW
GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke GmbH Kamen, Bönen, Bergkamen plays a central role in providing essential regional services. A “Big Picture” illustration brings this diverse world of municipal utilities to life in a clear, engaging, and easy-to-understand way. The explanatory graphic shows what GSW stands for, the tasks it performs on a daily basis, and how deeply its commitment is rooted in the region.
topic
Corporate mission statement
industry
Energy Supply and Municipal Infrastructure
format
Big Picture (for Print and Digital)
area of application
• Customer Center
• Events
• Social Media & Website
target group
• Citizens
• Employees
• Business partners
special features
A detailed representation of the range of tasks across three municipalities.
Initial situation & challenge:
Building Trust in Challenging Times
GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke GmbH operates as a regional energy provider in Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen. Its core businesses include the reliable and environmentally friendly supply of electricity, gas, water, and heat, as well as the operation of utility networks. In addition, GSW operates indoor swimming pools and will open two new pools in Kamen and Bergkamen next year.
The challenge was to communicate GSW’s wide range of responsibilities in a clear, understandable, and approachable way. Following the difficult times of the energy crisis, the goal was to rebuild and strengthen the public’s trust. At the same time, the aim was to highlight what public services entail, where GSW is active, and in what areas it serves as the point of contact in the region.
The Solution: A Visual World of Municipal Utilities for the Region
"The Big Picture" translates GSW’s responsibilities, facilities, and commitment into a detailed, easy-to-understand explanatory graphic. It illustrates what GSW stands for, the services it provides on a daily basis, and the role it plays in the context of the energy transition. The result is a memorable overview that provides guidance and makes the world of municipal utilities easy to understand.
Individual scenes
Through its network development, GSW is laying the technical foundation for a safe and reliable supply. By expanding, maintaining, and modernizing the supply networks, GSW is paving the way for a stable infrastructure and future requirements.
The Bergkamen Customer Center demonstrates how individual locations and local buildings can be faithfully reproduced in the “Big Picture.” By recreating real-life facilities, the illustrations achieve a high level of recognizability, bringing the Stadtwerke world even closer to its target audiences.
Through its energy consulting services, GSW helps customers find sustainable energy solutions. Whether it’s solar power, energy-efficient roofing, or mindful energy use—the consulting services make sustainable options easy to understand and accessible.
This is how the big picture came about
From the initial contact to the finished explanatory graphic, “The Big Picture” was created through a structured, creative, and closely coordinated process. The Miro board served as a helpful digital tool for feedback, discussion, and collaborative development.
1. Workshop & Analysis
At the outset, the key themes, services, and issues related to GSW were compiled. The focus was on public services, regional engagement, and GSW’s role as a point of contact in the region. This established a clear foundation for the subsequent visual synthesis.
2. Prototyping & Iteration
In the next step, initial concepts, scenes, and ideas were translated into meaningful visual motifs. The biggest challenge was to present the diversity of the municipal utility across three municipalities in a way that was both understandable and recognizable. Feedback from GSW was gathered and quickly incorporated into the next drafts.
3. Feedback & Finalization
In the final phase, the “Big Picture” was developed in great detail and prepared for use in print and digital media. Particular attention was paid to showcasing GSW’s projects, facilities, and regional connections. Today, the “Big Picture” serves as the foundation for communication across many different areas of application.
Effect & Results
The Big Picture helps GSW convey its messages in a clear, memorable, and engaging way. It is used, among other places, in the customer center, on communication materials, at events, in presentations, on vehicles, on the internet, on social media, and in public relations. In addition, the explanatory graphic is suitable for company presentations, discussions with business partners and potential new employees, as well as for playful formats such as a “hidden object” game for children.
"A diverseworld made simple and accessible"
“With the Big Picture, we can bring the diverse world of our municipal utility’s operations to life in a simple and engaging way. This large explanatory graphic vividly illustrates what we stand for, the work we do every day in our service area, and the challenges we will face in the future as we navigate the energy transition. The Big Picture supports us in various ways: in communication—with customers, business partners, or potential new employees; as a playful way to engage children; and in shaping our public image.”
Mareike Füllner and Andrea Wellerdiek, Communications and Marketing, GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke GmbH, Kamen, Bönen, Bergkamen.
Get started today—schedule your free initial consultation!
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how a big picture can simplify and strengthen your communication in a 30-minute conversation. We look forward to hearing about your challenges.
Frequently asked questions about
Big Pictures
What exactly is a "Big Picture"?
For what purposes can I use a Big Picture?
In what formats is the Big Picture delivered?
How long does it take to develop a Big Picture?
How is the Big Picture adapted to our company?
Do you also offer a free initial concept?
Big Pictury
Legal
This website is for general information purposes only. We accept no responsibility for external content.