Newsletter Design

Scenario: You are a graphic designer working for an in-house graphic design department for Community College District 17. The The program coordinator for the graphic design program has requested a two color newsletter to use as a marketing tool.

This monthly will be sent via the US postal service and will need to meet standard US postal regulations. The client would like to see 3 different creative approaches. The client will then sign off on one of the designs. Once the creative approach has been determined you will then produce a tight comprehensive design.

The client has asked that all digital files be delivered in order for the staff to update the newsletter on a quarterly or annual basis.You will work with your art director on research, idea exploration, and concept development. You will submit thumbnails to the art director, who will then choose 3 concepts to develop into 3 tight roughs.

Once the roughs have been approved by the art director, the client will select one for the final comp. In order to make sure that the job is scheduled appropriately, prints correctly and all electronic files are configured correctly you will be in close contact with the production manager.

The final comprehensive design will need to simulate the final printed project as closely as possible.

You will submit an 8 1/2 X 11" (approx.) 4-page grayscale folding dummy for client approval.

The client has asked that all of the digital files be delivered at the completion of the project.

Production Notes:


Nameplate:
The Home Page
(subhead) SFCC Graphic and Web Design Program Update

Page size: 8-1/2 x 11"
No. of Pages: 4
Folded to 5 1/2" X 8 1/2"
Colors: 2 Pantone
Paper stock: Uncoated
Paper color: Open to color suggestions
Postal Info: Self-mail; bulk rate permit.

Bulk Permit text:

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO 714
SPOKANE, WA

Content:

All text files and images will be available on the server.

Marketing information:

  • The publication should effectively market the program to several audiences:
    - High school seniors and other potential students
    - Parents of potential students
    - Design, advertising and marketing businesses (Spokane and Regional)
    - Potential students seeking retraining or career change

  • Illustrations are needed, but clip-art from various sources must be altered to show a unified technique.

  • The publication should appear contemporary, informal, informative, and inviting to the reader.

  • The client wishes to appear authoritative, informative, organized and as a fun and exciting learning environment.

 

Student Examples   2006

Due Date: See the project deadlines

Step 1: Meet with your projects instructor.
  1. Go to the Newsletter project page and collect the project information:
    1. Projects Course Syllabus
    2. Student examples 1
    3. Student examples 2
  2. Print out a copy of the sign-off sheet
  3. Schedule a meeting with the projects instructor, who will be your account executive for this project.
Step 2: Meet with your process instructor.
  1. Go to the Newsletter process page and collect the process information.
  2. Schedule a meeting with the process instructor, who will be your art director for this project.
Step 3: Meet with your technology instructor.
  1. Go to the Newsletter technology page and collect the tech information.
  2. Schedule a meeting with the technology instructor, who will be your production manager for this project.
  3. Determine prerequisite skills necessary to complete the project.
  4. Complete project exercises:
    • TBA
Step 4: Complete project research.
  1. Define the target audience.
  2. Define the client need.
  3. Collect examples of newsletter designs.
Step 5: Develop thumbnails
  1. Create three different concepts for the newsletter design.
  2. Sketch the newsletter design in thumbnail form.
  3. Verify that your work meets thumbnail criteria.
  4. Submit thumbnails to the art director for sign off / approval.
Step 6: Develop rough layouts.
  1. Develop roughs from thumbnails which were approved by the art director.
  2. Rough layouts will be to size of the final newsletter and communicate more detail than the thumbnails.
  3. Verify that your work meets roughs criteria.
  4. Submit roughs to the art director for sign off / approval.
Step 7: Submit rough layouts to the client.
  1. After the art director approves your roughs, meet with the client and present your designs for approval/sign-off.
  2. The client will sign off and approve the design to be taken to final stage.
Step 8: Meet with the production manager.
  1. Determine the skills and steps needed to produce your design (digital strategy).
  2. Discuss your digital strategy with the production manager.
  3. Ask the production manager about any issues you are unsure of.
  4. When it is clear that you understand how to produce your design correctly and efficiently, the production manager will sign off / approve your strategy.
Step 9: Produce the digital comp.
  1. Create all native files (raster and vector images) using Illustrator and Photoshop.
  2. Assemble text and images using a page layout program.
  3. Conform to standard prepress criteria for all file preparation and type formatting.
  4. Make backup copies of all files after each work session.
  5. Print a black and white laser proof and check for correctness and accuracy.
  6. Have "Digital Comp/Peer Review" of your color digital comp.
  7. Make appropriate revisions.
  8. Print color separations and check for correctness.
  9. Make appropriate revisions.
  10. Create a PDF version of the final design.
  11. Copy all final documents to the server folder(s) specified by the client and production manager.
  12. Make an appointment with your art director for sign off / approval.
Step 10: Verify correct file preparation with your lab instructor.
  1. Using the print preparation checklist have a "TECHNOLOGY PEER REVIEW" of your project files before meeting a lab instructor
  2. Make an appointment with your lab instructor to sign off on the following:
    • hand in studio (lab) time sheet
    • show back up filing system
    • discuss file organization and naming conventions
    • discuss learning strategies
  3. Verify:
    • Correct raster file sampling and preparation.
    • Correct vector file preparation.
    • Correct font choices and styles.
    • Correct color usage.
    • Complete service provider package
  4. Submit the completed checklist to your lab instructor for approval/ sign-off.
Step 11: Submit final comp to the client for sign off / approval.
  1. Project should be linked up to the roster page provided.
  2. Project should presented using the html template provided.
  3. Client should receive all digital documents and a composite pdf file on the server as specified by the client.
Step 12: Fill out self-assessments:

This step is required in order for your project to be considered complete. It is an opportunity for you to reflect on what you have learned and to identify areas which you could improve upon.