Association Media and Publishing and ASAE & The Center co-hosted a lunch and learn session titled “Design on a Dime” last week, including a panel of association professionals moderated by Network Creative Director Jen Smith.
The session covered a number of ideas and insights as to controlling time and money when it comes to design work. A few take-aways:
1. Plan, plan, plan. Use a creative brief or request form to gather all the information you need to begin a project, including budget, business objectives, target audience, schedule and deadlines, design medium, quantity, format.
2. Talk it out. Involve all “stakeholders” from the beginning of a job, including the designer. By bringing the designer into the loop early, she or he will have the right sense for the piece they are creating. Understanding the purpose and goals of the piece is crucial to designing it.
3. Strategize. Try to foresee all uses of a brand’s look and feel, or just know that there may be uses you haven’t thought of yet. A designer needs to know that while they may be starting with a single element, it needs to develop into a larger strategy.
4. Customize artwork. Consider creative ways to make custom artwork: Photograph members or stage props that are specific to your field or industry. When using stock imagery, find ways to personalize the artwork for your audience. This will help you avoid cliche or overdone imagery.
5. Workflow. How ‘final’ is your final copy? Unexpected and multiple rounds of proofing add up. Make sure your copy is as complete and as fully edited as possible before it goes to the design department.
6. Get buy-in early. Don’t wait until the final proof to seek approval from the boss or any other decision-maker. You may end up redoing the piece (and paying for it twice in the process.)
Special thanks to the session panelists: Wendy Bogart, Director of Graphic Design at CASE, Amy Miedema, Senior Director of Communications at American Academy of Audiology, and Rita Zimmerman, Communications Coordinator at American Inns of Court.
Standing: Wendy Bogart, Jen Smith. Seated: Rita Zimmerman, Amy Miedema.
Find more Lunch and Learn sessions from Association Media and Publishing.
March 9, 2010
The redesign of this quarterly association magazine keeps members in mind
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Network recently partnered with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to redesign its member magazine. The new MOVE was approached with members in mind. The goal was to provide readers with the most information possible while keeping things simple and easy to navigate. MOVE is clean and sophisticated. It’s full of short, interesting quick reads that engage readers flipping through the magazine, yet it continues to give readers in-depth feature articles that provide insight.
Here’s a closer look:
Broadcast
MOVE readers wanted a place to stay on top of trends and keep tabs on happenings in other regions. The newly-created department Broadcast gives readers a place to interact with other jurisdictions by submitting news pieces and art of their own. The four regions are color-coordinated and well-organized so readers can easily find tidbits that interest them.
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On Queue
This go-to department got a major facelift. By streamlining content for MOVE’s three main audiences and combining elements from around the magazine, we created a department filled with important information that’s also easy to navigate. On Queue is a place to catch readers up on what they missed and includes an expanded calendar to keep them in the know.
Data Lady
This new department has a different take on information delivery. The heavy use of charts and graphs helps make complex subjects easier to understand. Each issue, we’ll showcase a popular survey: from the questions, to the method, to the results, the Data Lady will break it down.
See more from Network Design Group or email Jen Smith, Creative Director.
December 18, 2009
“It is such a great feeling to be surrounded by friends that keep you motivated and want to see you succeed.”
What do you do?
I work directly with Sean Soth, Senior VP, to support the sales efforts of the Account Executives and all the portfolios that he manages. I help with everything from prospecting to marketing pieces and everything in between.
What is the most rewarding part of working with Network?
I absolutely adore all the people I work with every day. It is such a great feeling to walk into work and be surrounded by friends that keep you motivated and want to see you succeed.
What has been your biggest challenge at Network?
The biggest challenge would have to be juggling all the tasks that are brought to my plate each day. When working with multiple Account Executives and portfolios, it keeps my day full of many different projects.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my 2008 Rookie of the Year award. This was so special because it was nice to know that even though my career at Network had just begun, I was already making an impact and helping our sales team achieve positive results.
What keeps you busy outside of the office?
Painting, running, my family, my friends.
December 18, 2009
