IMF Institute for Capacity Development Training Program Cata

The redesign of the IMF Institute for Capacity Development’s External Training Catalog transformed a complex training resource into a user-friendly guide for government officials and other learners worldwide. The catalog supports ICD’s mission to help member countries strengthen economic institutions, build policy knowledge, and share expertise through training, technical assistance, and peer learning. As course offerings continue to expand across headquarters-based programs, regional training centers, and online learning, the redesign seeks to make the catalogue more accessible.
One of our main goals was to incorporate key features of the online training experience into the printed catalogue. To do this, the team reorganized content around helpful themes and learning paths from online training, helping readers better understand how individual courses correspond to larger areas of study. This also made it easier to locate relevant opportunities, compare related courses, and map out training tailored to professional goals.
Because a printed catalog cannot rely on links or interactive menus, the redesign applied visual cues to help readers. We organized the layout with category colors, topic-based graphics, clearer section breaks, and more consistent page layouts. Not only did these choices make our content more digestible, but it also helped aesthetically connect the catalogue to the digital experience. This new arrangement also better supported related digital materials.
Additionally, the project reflected a strong partnership between ICD and the Creative team. By engaging in kickoff conversations, design exploration, feedback, and refinement, the team crafted an approach that was visually consistent and practical for readers.
The result is more than a refreshed design. Our new External Training Catalog makes ICD’s learning opportunities easier to find and easier to explore. It effectively highlights a large and specialized curriculum in an organized and approachable way, while reinforcing the IMF’s global mission.