Even in the present age of electronic tablets and sophisticated phones, there is still a demand for brochure design. Here are a few tips for designing a mind-blowing brochure:

1.  Keep the Content Simple. Never forget that your brochure content needs to be simple and to the point. Don’t try to squeeze a novel into those pages. For a clean, contemporary design, the subject matter should be crisp and simple.

2. Pay attention to the details. The best designers are meticulous when it comes to details. The design layout for key headings should be given more priority than others. Remember that the brochure should be informative without putting viewers to sleep. If you find it difficult to incorporate certain content, then work with your client to make sure the brochure will cover an appropriate amount of material.

3. Determine the format of the brochure, and then design accordingly. Throughout the design process, designers should keep in mind how the brochure will be introduced when it is completed. Some brochures are handled physically, while others are distributed through electronic media. Electronic brochures may have clickable URL links or other features that aren’t possible for printed brochures.

4. Give special attention to the fonts and the colors of the brochure. Don’t get carried away with fancy fonts for a type-based brochure. All sentences should be easily legible, and the letters should not be too small or too big. Keep in mind that the brochure design should complement the company’s identity. So don’t forget the logo!

5. Don’t forget to add the important things. Make sure you’ve included a spot for company contact information in the design. It’s essential to incorporate an email addresses and/or contact numbers. Also be sure to mention special offers. Offers attract attention.

It’s imperative for companies to have a strong corporate identity. Make sure your brochure design adds to the identity of your client, and doesn’t detract.

If you’re looking for catchy brochures that will deliver the right message to the right audience  brief the Exchange now!

Kathleen Delaney

It’s not a surprising factor that the development of Broadband internet has revolutionised the way we use and interact with the web. With developments such as fibre optics and more and more providers promising connections of 50mb +, we browse and download more than ever before. Gone are the days of painfully waiting for an image to steadily display being replaced instead by information there when you need it. 

It’s exciting that as designers, we are presented with more opportunities to push the boundaries of image and idea presentation enabling us to spin these technologies in our favour. With the power of a faster connection and technological advances in screen resolutions, an emerging trend amongst web designers is the use of over-sized photo’s or illustrated images as a website’s background.

Adding more life and dynamism to a website enables us to present ideas with both clarity and stunning visual effect. A breath of fresh air compared to traditional tiled background graphics, we feel we will be seeing a lot more of these type of sites.  

If you’re looking for a website with life and stunning visuals brief the Exchange now!

Paper Boat Creative

In my experience nobody is the sole creator of a creative project. There is the rather cynical saying “Success has a thousand fathers, failure is an orphan.” However this does not necessarily have to be a negative thing. What it does mean is that you have the support to make a project work.

Even if you are an author and your name is the first thing people see on a book cover you will have support. A publisher has to approve it and it is likely that they will have to look over your work. An editor will probably make suggestions for possible revisions and it is how you work with them that could be the difference between something working or not.

If you want to do a creative project independently and without a major studio or a publisher then it is likely you will need outside help of some kind. While everyone has a talent it is very rare that someone has all the skills necessary in order to make a creative project work.

Using my creative business, Reynard City, as an example, every part of the project involves a range of people with various skills. With the comic the stars of the show are without question the artists. People like Dan Butcher, Susie Hampton and Nicholas Webb make the work of writers such as Ian Austin come alive.  With the animation Ana Brooke and Samuel Victor are overseeing what we hope will be the cartoon pilot that gets us a series and the video game is being overseen by Nicholas Webb and programmer Paul Thornton, something we hope will get done in May!

In terms of who to look for when recruiting people it is a balance of both their individual talents and their personalities. You want people that are passionate and will want to be a part of your project. It is also about considering what abilities people have and how they can help you.

For example if you are not that good at the business side you should find someone to help you there. This is also true of someone who can do your website, artists and so forth. It is important to be proactive and get in touch with people yourself. If you like their work and you want them on board let them know!

Being honest is also vital. Let people know what you are prepared to pay them (or whether you can offer a percentage on sponsorship and so forth). Getting to know them will help prevent any problems with communication. For example if they are a student find out when they have exams and try not to give them work at the worst time. If they have a job in the day you should only try to contact them in the evenings.

One thing I will say is try to keep things simple. Having a team around you is great if they know what they are doing and keep in touch. This is why it is important to develop a relationship with them and establish communication as much as possible.

Finally when getting in contact with people try to be as positive as possible without sounding too much like a used car salesman. Passion is good but it has to sound genuine. Most of all tell people what is in it for them if they join your team.

Remember if you are prepared to put the effort in then you will get the reward for it! If you’re a creative at blur Designs, then you are building a great peer network around you – if not join now! 

Rob

Friday again… and still cold outside. Time for Friday5, the blog which never asks just five questions. Today we introduce Mike Smithson, freelance graphic designer and head designer for the new Johnny Cash Museum.

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ONE: Mike, last year you started your own design studio. What’s the uniqueness behind artyourminddesign?

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It seems like a lot sign companies and other types of design shops have lost focus of the art aspect of creating signage. My goal was to bring a unique artistic style back into the local advertising community. When I was first starting out as a designer I landed a job at a local sign shop. It is actually the most widely used and well-known sign shop in this area. I really became disheartened as I started going through training. So little thought or effort was going into design for logos and print ads. The mentality was like, “make it simple and make it quick.” I don’t think timeliness or efficiency needed to be a trade-off for style and visually pleasing work. When I was finally able to branch out on my own and open Art Your Mind, I was excited to provide unique quality work to customers to make their business stand out above the rest. From that moment on I vowed to never again use Helvetica in my designs.
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TWO: You are the head designer for the new Johnny Cash Museum. How did you get the job?

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Well, my new design business started off very slow and difficult for the first few months. It is sometimes difficult in small towns to get people to try something new and creative. I was using many outlets in order to sell my artwork and keep the doors of my business open. I was actually having quite a bit of positive feedback and response from selling my artwork on ebay. Bill Miller, the owner of johnnycash.com and a good friend to the Cash family, happened to come across some of my work on the site. He emailed me with some questions about what I do and if I do freelance work. I sent him a copy of my portfolio and things really took off from that point. I am actually sitting in a hotel room in Nashville as I write this, two days from official press conference for the museum. It’s pretty surreal and the way it all happened was just crazy and exciting. Bill was really receptive and excited about my past work and the visions I shared with him for the museum.
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THREE: You just finished up the media kit design for the new Johnny Cash Museum. What are your top tips for designing media kits?

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The thing that’s tricky about media kits is you have to accomplish two different things at once. First, you have to be able to appeal to the audience that will receive the media kits. It is important for the company to be able to garner interest from various media outlets. Everyone’s tastes are different and you want to be able to send something out that will appeal to most of the recipients. Second, and most importantly, you have to really get a feel for the company you are working for and reflect their vision in the design on the media kit. It has to be a statement about what the company is trying to do, while at the same time grab the attention of those who are receiving it.
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I actually use Photoshop for most of my work. I am always looking for new ways to work the program and develop something different. Mastering my craft at the program has always been something I’ve invested my time into. I’m just really interested in finding new and innovative ways to work it. The possibilities are just endless with what can be created.
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FIVE: What’s your favorite designer and why do you adore him/her?

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It’s really hard for me to pinpoint just one. I have so many that I love and am so inspired by for different reasons. For example, I really like Invisible Creature. Their design style is just so unique. Their poster designs and album covers really appeal to me and my personal tastes in art. Another that I love is Hatch Show Print. Classic print press design and silk screening make the designs basic yet iconic. It’s using traditional approach to design in order to create modern-day appeal. They have designed some of the most iconic posters from the Nashville music scene. Much of my work is inspired by both of these styles to create sort of a retro-modern feel.
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BONUS: What will be your favorite exhibition piece in the museum?

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The Johnny Cash Gibson J200…the one with Johnny Cash written on the neck. There are several famous photos of him with this guitar.  After discussing with Mr. Miller about seeing it at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, he said that it was going to be moved to the new museum and that he would do me one better and let me hold it. As a huge Johnny Cash fan, that will be the reward to all of my hard work. 

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Do you need designs with soul and passion? Brief the Exchange and our brief support team will contact you!

It is crucial for a company to have harmonious designs in web and print. Print design is the method of creating and formatting documents with software so that it can be printed by an end user. Web design, however, requires producing websites for the user.

The Heart of Brand Identity
One of the most important reasons keeping all aspects of a company’s design in sync is to solidify the brand identity. A good designer makes sure that a company’s website can be easily translated into print media. This functions well for customers who still prefer reading printed material over the internet.

File Size Differences

With print design there are very few limitations when it comes to file size. A file in print design can be very heavy or very light. Whether a company needs a business card or a billboard, it can be done. If corporation needs a booklet design of 1000 full color pages, then this may require a large amount memory, but the speed at which the customer turns pages will not be affected. With web design, however, the file size instantly affects the speed of access to a particular website.

 To harmonize print design and web design without sacrificing crucial company info, cloud computing can be utilized. Cloud computing helps a company’s design team create a virtual database of poignant information. They could also work together to design a website that allows them to organize information in a way that will not exasperate site visitors.

Color and Layout Design

Color selection in web design and print design can harmonize as long as a designer sticks to a company’s specifications. In design you cannot have complete reliance on your screen. Since every screen is calibrated differently, efficient designers rely on Pantone Colors books or company color specs. Even if you think a client’s choice of color is a little off, stick what they’ve chosen on both the print and web design. If you have a better suggestion for their brand color then just do a mock up for them. I’ve found it is more difficult to explain design. It’s much easier to just show the client what looks better. Of course, they make the final decision, but it’s up to the designer to make sure both worlds of design are in harmony. 

Images in Print and Web

Although image placement and presentation in print and on the web can be very different, designers do well to keep them harmonious. In web design it is possible to present things in motion, whereas this is impossible in print design. However, the images used in both design types should be easily recognizable and strengthen a company’s brand identity.

From billboards and brochures to websites and blogs, all companies need harmony when it comes to design. Designers can make sure their print design and web design is an accurate representation of a client’s project through clear communication and by sticking to project specifications. Even though both design formats are different, they can still harmonize.

Want to guarantee design harmony? Submit your brief now!

Kathleen

I have been working on Reynard City for a number of years in now. It has gone through a number of incarnations, ranging from characters in an interactive story forum through to the current webcomic, cartoon pilot and video game.

People sometimes ask me how to get started with projects like this. I think the crucial thing is to have an idea. There is a story that the creators of Ninja Turtles first got their idea when they were in a pizza restaurant and one of them doodled a picture of a turtle dressed as a ninja. Little did they know that this would go on to be a multi million dollar franchise!

The best ideas are ones that stay in your head every day. It is the first thing on your mind in the morning and the last thing in your head when you go to sleep at night. Whatever this idea is it is something that demands your attention.

People often think of inspiration as some kind of flash of lightning or a light bulb going off. They feel that once the idea is there the work doesn’t need to be done. To be honest at this point this is where the work gets started. A more appropriate image would be that of a plant. It needs time to grow and it needs the right kind of attention. What starts off small can get bigger and bigger.

With Reynard City that process is still ongoing. If you have an idea for a story that you think could become a project then it is important that you map it out as much as possible. Think about who the characters are, what their motivations are and the likely conflicts they are going to come across. Even if it is an ongoing narrative like a soap opera there needs to be a sense of progression.

It is then worth considering what your role will be in this project. Be honest with yourself, both in terms of your talents and the contribution you can make. This will then make it easier when you decide who you are going to recruit to help take your project further.

Over the coming weeks my plan is to discuss more aspects of how a creative project works and doesn’t work, with specific reference to Reynard City and other projects I am involved in. I hope that this will help you when it comes to coming up with your own, both in terms of finding out what works and avoiding the mistakes I have made along the way!

Get help with your creative projects - brief now! 

Whatever you experienced, there is no match to what a whole wave of Japanese mothers are creating for their kids nowadays.  They’ll open their lunch box to a new food character everyday.  Pairs of eyes on sushi staring back at them.  Omelettes crafted so well that it looks exactly like Pikachu.  Radish and carrot sculpted to look like elaborate shoes.  We’ve spotted Hello Kitty rice and chicken nuggets shaped like Totoro.  Totally kawaii!

There is an almost cult-like dedication of a daily blog of lunch box layouts the moms create for their kids.   You will find a whole army of bento characters and worlds online. 

Inspiring to look at and definitely exciting to eat, we look forward to what these moms will be posting online tomorrow.

In the mean time we may have a play with our own food to see what worlds we can create on our plate.  Ita daki mas (bon appétit).

 Paper Boat Creative

Following on from “You can do it” – here’s some tips on Creative Writing. 

The problem is that in a lot of cases people have difficulty with getting started. Other people may initially be very enthusiastic about an idea but then find it harder to get it finished. In each case there are different exercises that can be done and in this article we will look at ways to get started, keep going and how to ensure you get the best possible work done.

Getting Started

This is often the hardest part. Some people set targets for themselves such as 500 words by a certain time. I personally find that a bit constricting as this means you focus more on the quantity as opposed to the quality. If you have a word limit then obviously you need to stick to it. However we will look at editing down later.

What I find works better is to work for a certain amount of time. Some people may say they want to write but have a part time or a full time job so there is no additional time for writing. This is an excuse. There is always time to write.

Whether you are writing a poem, a novel or an article it is up to you to find the time. If it means you get up earlier in the day or sleep a little later at night then so be it. The crucial thing is to make the effort. Another problem is generating ideas. This is especially true if you are writing a piece of fiction. A simple way of doing this is with a spider diagram. Get a blank sheet of paper and draw a circle, putting a word in the middle that symbolises what you are trying to do. For example if you wanted to write a sitcom you would then write sitcom.

Once you have put that word in the middle you then write words that you associate with that phrase. For example you could put in family, slapstick, romantic tension, sharing a house and so forth. If you write something that you think is not relevant write it anyway. It is all part of the process.

It is also important to be open minded. Try to have a small notepad and a cheap pen with you at all times. This is better than a fancy notebook as you will feel less pressure to write something in it. At this point it is about getting ideas down and getting the mind thinking.

Work In Progress

How you work is up to you. However the best way to do it is to have a set routine. While this may seem at odds with the idea of the eccentric creative genius at work it is a good way to ensure that you stay focused.

Strange as it sounds you should also know when to time your breaks. The problem with creative work is that it can be easy to get carried away. You may start writing and then realise you have missed a couple of meals and it is now time for bed. A consistent routine will help avoid this and stop you from burning out.

During this time it is best to not be too self critical. Some people will start working and have a nagging fear in their heads. Try not to worry at this point whether something is good enough or not. At this stage it is more constructive to work hard and get a draft down. After that you can then get on to the next part which is getting feedback and responding to feedback.

After The Work Is Done- Feedback And Editing

The type of feedback you get will depend on who you are writing for and where you are sending it to. For example if you are writing short stories you should look for forums where you can post them and get feedback.

People are often nervous about posting stories and so forth on the internet for fear of people stealing their ideas. There are various ways to copyright ideas. One of the simplest is to print it out, attach a form with the date on it and have it signed by an independent witness. You should then mail it to yourself via recorded delivery with a receipt that you have proof of postage. Ensure it is taped down and do not open it as this will ensure there is no evidence of tampering.

If you are writing for a website then they should have a support forum or an email that you can contact if you have any problems. Some will have specific keywords that they will want included. Always double check any special instructions as you do not want your work rejected!

With creative projects it is more difficult as everyone has different views on what constitutes a good or bad story. With poetry this is increasingly difficult as this often deals with personal issues and emotions, making it harder for someone to critique it without someone taking it personally.

Ultimately it is up to you when looking at advice from somebody else to see if you agree with it or not. The best people will look at your work, look at what you are trying to achieve with your work and try to offer advice that is constructive and appropriate.

If you do not have time to seek out advice or you are working on a personal project then it is possible to do this yourself. In some creative writing exercise books this is referred to as “the editor’s eye”.

The simplest way to do this is to leave your work and not look at it for a few days. This then means you are not in the moment and can look at it from a more objective viewpoint.

Another way to achieve this is by reading your work aloud. This is best done at home or somewhere quiet! Reading aloud is often effective because you then realise what someone will experience if they read it for themselves. It helps to remove any words that sound awkward and helps you to ensure that you can engage with the reader.

A Final Piece Of Advice- Editing Down

I mentioned earlier that we would look at editing down work. Sometimes people love their creative work so much that they write a lot. This can result in overly descriptive passages, comedy sketches that are three pages too long and so forth.

My screenwriting tutor had a simple way to picture what is and is not necessary “Imagine each word costs a pound.”

I hope this advice helps you. Remember, if you are prepared to put the work in then you will get the reward for your effort.

Good luck! 

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, lovers will be racing for their nearest stationery shop in search of a romantic expression that best describes their undying love.  Certainly one of the biggest days of the year for card sales, let’s not forget the art of paper craft for an alternative, more personalized touch which won’t go unnoticed.

During the Victorian times, home-made Valentine’s cards were eagerly decorated with haberdashery of all sorts.  As industrial printing emerged, pop-up mechanics, vovelles and fold out scenes were also introduced.  It has been documented that movable mechanics first appeared in a manuscript for an astrological book in 1306 by the Catalan mystic and poet Ramon Llull.  Although such paper engineering was used for centuries, it wasn’t until the 18^th century that the techniques were applied for the entertainment of children.  The first pop-up books were produced by Ernest Nister and Lothar Meggendorfer , which became popular in Germany and Britain in the 19th century;  the craft has since developed into a complex craftsmanship.

Anyway here’s some great ideas for making your own unique love token:

Here’s the template for this design (follow the link)

This one’s a little more complicated…

For those keen on exploring the art, detailed instructions on paper engineering techniques were published in a fantastic book titled ‘The Elements of Pop-up – A Pop-Up Book For Aspiring Paper Engineers’ by David A.Carter & James Diaz (published 1999).

We’d love to see your results – pop them on blur Designs Facebook page?  Meanwhile if your Valentine’s Day requirements are of a more pressing commercial nature, submit your design brief now!

Paper Boat Creative

In some respects I was born lucky. My Dad was self employed and ran a business from a store opposite our house. This meant that every day I saw how he operated his business and from time to time I helped out. This helped pave the way for working on a self- employed basis and developing the self discipline needed to work without having a boss over your shoulder.

The problem with writing is that people often think that there is some kind of mystique behind it. They feel that only deeply flawed individuals on a bottle of whisky a day or adventurous poets who have travelled the world are capable of doing this epic feat on a regular basis.

Yes it is possible to write great literature in this way. But the kind of day to day things that you can earn money from require you to learn how to write every day. This means that it is not about flashes of inspiration but getting yourself in the mood to write on a regular basis while at the same time not depriving your body of sunlight.

The demands of different clients will often mean inconsistent hours. Ideally you should have some kind of routine to help you cope with this. I find a break at the start of the day helps to relax the mind. You may be different and prefer to push hard the morning and take a longer break in the afternoon. There need to be times where you switch off during the day or you do risk burning out.

While this is important you should not procrastinate either. One way around this is you only go on social network sites at certain points in the day. This helps to ensure you are not tempted to keep checking back.

If there is one thing I have learned about writing is that the hardest part is often getting started. Once you get going the next hardest part is then stopping!

In a lot of respects it is like revising for an exam and the approach has to be similar. If you need to research a subject it is best to check more than a couple of websites to get the right background detail. Some people like having snacks near to hand or the television on while they are working while others feel the need to turn everything off and focus solely on the screen. Neither is especially right or wrong provided the work gets done!

The other aspect to remember is that it is up to you to chase things up. You should check websites every day. Always be on the lookout for opportunities and always follow up any work you do.  Be open minded as opportunities can come from the unlikeliest sources. For example I found one of my most regular clients on a comic book art forum. It is not always easy but if you are prepared to put the effort in the rewards are out there!

Robert Turner (also known as Will Turner) is a freelance copywriter and producer for Polycomical Studios. When he is not making freelance content for companies he produces the webcomic Reynard City and is a member of the UEA Headlights comedy society.