Design is (basically) about color, composition and communication. Otherwise, a white background with basic black text would suffice for all of your needs. -DM
#communicatewithcolor
#communicatewithcomposition
#communicatewithcolor
#communicatewithcomposition
Front/Back
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This was my response to his email. He basically said I didn't meet the recommendations given to him by ACE (the company that hires me to do some of their design work, which helps small business/entrepreneurs) I used the exact recommendations to make my point. Not exactly sure why you think it doesn't follow the recommendations from ACE. They make sense, and I agree, but there is also a practical and functional side to this as well. For example: The more information that is added on the brochure (such as more testimonials that are 4-5 sentences each) will limit the amount of space overall. I can remove photos, and eliminate the (very little) unused space to make more room perhaps. Yes, you can reduce the text size, but for ANY print media, a general rule is to not go below a point size of 11. The info is no good if it's too small for people to read. The limitations of just a front and back flyer, as opposed to a multi-panel brochure which gives more flexibility as far as organizing the information, but we are still confined with the exact same surface area (8.5x11") a) Text should be easy to read and well-organized on the page All of the smallest text is 11point. The info is grouped by color and by subject. The info is in the same hierarchy as it was given. b) Any photography or images should be compelling and powerful c) Some stock photography is acceptable but don’t overuse. The stock images given are the ones used. I can always use fewer of them (to make room for the added testimonials) d) Organize information graphically. The info reads left to right, Top to bottom. The info is grouped by color and by subject. It is in the same order as it was given. e) Minimize copy to highlight key facts and words Not sure what "minimize" means: Text size or copy redaction? The bold black text is used to further emphasize each subject/separate thought, making it easy to distinguish it upon glance. f) Talk TO your customer, not about yourself The copy given already does that. g) Size: 1 flat sheet of paper, 8 x 11 inches The exact size I used. h) Paper stock: sturdy (prevent damage during mailing) N/A As a designer, my aim is to give my clients what they want, but I also have a responsibility to give them something that is practical and functional for their intended purpose. That is often based on what I know as a designer and print production tech. If it can be explained in detail, and in writing, exactly how you want to alter the project I will do my best to meet those objectives. However, keep in mind that any further alterations and time may increase the rate. Please advise on how to proceed.
CASE STUDIES.
Mayweather and Pacquiao would make a great case study for brand development/engagement. Obviously they are both in the same industry, but just a quick look at each of their respective social media pages, will reveal the differences in their brands, and there's something to be learned from that. How can you be in a market dominated by another brand, yet still set yourself apart? Love him or hate him, Mayweather is a smart man, whether he comes up with the plan himself, or has people around him that develop the plan... he makes money off of everything remotely related to his brand, from pay-per-view sales to the hot dogs people eat as they watch him fight. What do you think? Do you see anything that could help you in your own business? Check out this article on Forbes below, breaking down ways you can implement the same strategies he's used in terms of publicity, and apply it to your own business. #maypac #entrepreneur #smallbusiness
Check out the full article here on Forbes. Related articles: Leonard Ellerbe: From Northeast DC to Floyd Mayweather’s money man. Washington Post 
Men, Me & Therapy: Book cover design
Graphic Design is where “Art Meets Marketing”
With that in mind, consider the two book covers below. Design depends a lot on the message you want to convey, and should be appropriate for your target audience, helps your intended goal, establish yourself as a subject matter expert and to ultimately sell books) balanced with what the client envisions, and be visually appealing. Below is a book cover design I completed that explains what I'm talking about.
An author contacted me to do her book cover. It's a self-help book, written by a highly educated, female professional that caters to the professional, career-working woman about love and relationships. The cover on the right is what she brought to me. The one on the upper left is the one I designed. It includes the cover, spine, back cover and both inside flaps (not pictured)
The subject matter, and target market, dictated a design that 'spoke' to the reader, appealed professionally to her audience, and reflects the 'light-hearted' approach to the 'serious' subject matter of love and relationships. Her original cover design does none of that. The 'cartoony' illustration is a good one, but is inappropriate to her intended target by being too simple for the women who would read the book, and provides no information on who or what the book is about. There is also no back cover and spine, which she (and her previous designer had not thought of.) The designer completely misses the mark on the ‘function’ and the marketing aspect of the cover design. Whether you hire myself for your graphic needs, or not, be sure your designer is a professional that understands not only that the visuals have to be good, but at a minimum, knows how to visually convey the intended message to your market. 
Graphic Design is where “Art meets Marketing”
With that in mind, consider the two book covers below. Design depends a lot on the message you want to convey, and should be appropriate for your target audience, helps your intended goal (to sell books) balanced with what the client envisions, and be visually appealing. Below is a book cover design I completed that explains what I'm talking about. An author contacted me to do her book cover. It's a self-help book, written by a highly educated, female professional that caters to the professional, career-working woman about love and relationships. The cover on the bottom right is what she brought to me. The one on the upper left is the one I designed. It includes the cover, spine, back cover and both inside flaps (not pictured) The subject matter, and target market, dictated a design that 'spoke' to the reader, appealed professionally to her audience, and reflects the 'light-hearted' approach to the 'serious' subject matter of love a relationships. Her original cover design does none of that. The 'cartoony' illustration is a good one, but is inappropriate to her intended target by being too simple for the women who would read the book, and provides no information on who or what the book is about. There is also no back cover and spine, which she (and her previous designer had not thought of.) Although the illustration of the original cover is good, the designer completely misses the mark on the ‘function’ and the marketing aspect of the cover design. Whether you hire myself for your graphic needs, or not, be sure your designer is a professional that understands not only that the visuals have to be good, but at a minimum, knows how to visually convey the intended message to your market. |
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