Any graphic artists around? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

10/03/2007 09:36:26 PM · #1

I was talked into designing a brochure for a friend. I'm having a heck-of-a-time due to lack of proper skills, software and hardware.

Would anyone like to take a look at this thing and give some honest feedback?

I'm especially concerned about how it looks, color-wise. I have a terrible monitor and no color printer; and I'm still not sure I like the palette I chose.

I'm using Adobe Illustrator and only have the fonts that came with it. Suggestions about fonts would be appreciated, keeping in mind the limited selection I have.

At this point, I'm exhausted and don't feel very creative; but I'm open to overall design suggestions.

The black outline represents the crop.

I know the fishing picture really sucks, but it's the best I had in a pinch. Editing suggestions on the cover shot are more than welcome.

Thanks in Advance!

Edit: BTW, It's a letter-fold design.

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 21:37:29.

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

10/03/2007 09:55:59 PM · #2

Hi am a designer kind of do a little of everything but mainly books now but I have designed brochures before and overall yours looks pretty good, simple colors and design, I like it.

So one thing I would work on is that last right inside panel of the brochure. To me its a little to much text maybe dropping the font size one pt. may help a bit. The text needs a little breathing room from the top and bottom also if you have the space a little bit more leading (space between the lines fo text). Readers tend not to want to read anything if it looks like their is too much text in a small amount of space.

That all I see for now, but again you did pretty good on it, I like it. Lastly make sure if folds right, lol I have made the mistake before with the fold being off on a brocure.

BlueZamia

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/03/2007 10:00:43 PM · #3

Layout looks good.
Something funny about colors. I'de try 1 color each of blue, and brown, maybe with a halftone. If thats what you have then don't put the brown text on the blue ground. It seems to add more colors. Hope that gives you some help.

10/03/2007 10:03:15 PM · #4

Thanks

digitalpins!

Great suggestion about the text.

I used a template from the printer for the panels, so it should fold properly. I will double-check it, though.

I really appreciate the feedback:)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

10/03/2007 10:05:25 PM · #5

Originally posted by BlueZamia:

Now, you're talking over my head:) I agree about the colors. I think I know what you are saying; and tomorrow I'll give that a try.

CNovack

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

10/03/2007 10:11:31 PM · #6

It has been about a decade but I used to work in the advertising dept at a Parenting Magazine. So I am going to give a few observations/suggestions.

On first panel tri-fold:

-I like where you placed the image - it shows the location as appealing and it 'sits' right at eye level where the eye would first glance. Not to mention if you place this in the 'bins' where all the other advertising brochures are placed that photo should sit right above the lip that would obscure the bottom portion of the brochure (you might want to do a test run to make sure that the image sits right above the lip for it does add to the eye-catching appeal if one can see it)

- The text for Breezeway Trailer Park & R.V. Resort should be different from all the rest. The reason is to make it stand out. You did that with using a pleasing color - blue (which is a subtle nod to the imagery of a waterfront). But the font choice also needs to vastly differ from the rest of the fonts used. I don't know what fonts you have available but it should be clean (no flowery script) and easily readable.

-Located on Florida's Treasure Coast,
on the Indian River Lagoon

To much repetitive use of 'on'. The location is really 'in' the Treasure Coast so perhaps it should read

Located in Florida's Treasure Coast
on the Indian River Lagoon

- I like the orange tone that you used for the some of the other text. It calls to mind the color of the sunset which subtly plays back to your sunset picture. It also highlights other important points about the location. However be careful that in the color development process that it is not too light such that it doesn't contrast off of the white page. Make sure that it is readable. And generally darker colors will attract the eye's attention first but you have a nice variation going here so it should not be too much of a problem.

-Keep the address, telephone number, direction details and e-mail in the standard Black tones. It keeps it clean and readable. You did that here so that is a definate keeper.

-When stating an address one generally has the city, state, and zip on another line. That just helps keep it clean, uncluttered and easy to read. So it should read:

8860 US Highway 1
Micco, FL 32976

-You have a nice inclusion of the map on the back cover which serves to show us visually the directions given. You also break up the directions nicely with having the 'Coming from the North' and 'Coming from the South' visually separated by the map. That keeps it simple and easy to read.

O.K. going off to look at the inside page.

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 22:18:48.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/03/2007 10:25:14 PM · #7

For a non-designer, that's actually very good! Pointers:

Make sure the inside panel is 1/16" - 1/8" narrower than the two outside panels or it won't fold properly, and put fold lines (1/2pt dashed lines) in your margins so the printer knows where to fold. Most printers know this, but I'm seen some dummies.

I'm not loving the color scheme, but I have to real blockbuster suggestions, either. I think the bigger issue is hierarchy. The front cover has no real dominant headline or impact, and the inside is visually all-gray, like the Wall St. section of a newspaper. Make the body copy smaller (12pt max) to give yourself more room, and then make some elements huge for impact. For example, you could enlarge and crop the palm photo to take up half the front, then continue with black at the bottom and knock your type out of that.

Use something more logo-ish for the name/headline and get it bigger, even if it's just condensing the font and reducing the leading to create a more compact visual unit. Personally, I don't think sans serif is appropriate for that type of business. You could make Breezeway really big, and "trailer park and RV resort" smaller to get it on two lines. Maybe even knock it out of the sky in the photo with a drop shadow to stand out (Effects>Drop Shadow).

On the inside, give yourself more space by Not Capitalizing Every Single Thing. It's not necessary. "Vero Beach..." is too close to the edge- try to keep everything 1/4" away. Also, you should indent the second line of Kennedy Space Center. As with the front, try to get some impact with a few larger elements to guide the eye.

CNovack

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

10/03/2007 11:04:17 PM · #8

O.K. the inside page:

- You have too many variations of color without a set pattern or order. That can become confusing to the eye an unappealing to look upon.

-I like how you have the pale blue boxes on the right and left of the trifold. Keep that pattern for it contrasts boldly with the center panel. You have a orange box at the bottom right panel but none to balance it out on the left panel. Keep the pattern going where it will be aesthetically pleasing. Have the blue & orange boxes on the left panel balance and match with a blue & orange box on the left panel.

-The orange text (What's Nearby) on the right panel does not contrast well with the blue box it is in. Not to mention it might make it to hard to read for some. Keep it clean and simple. Again balance the look so that it is aesthetically pleasing. Make that text black so that it contrasts more with the blue box AND it matches what we see in the top left panel.

-The same thing goes for the bottom left panel. By making the text for the Rates in black it will contrast nicely off of the orange box and keep that aesthetically balanced clean look.

-I really like how you have the Rates showing at the bottom of the Accommodations (oh you have it misspelled btw, you need an extra 'm'). Kudos to you for good placement. You want to show your customers what great features the item/location has to show them what they can enjoy before talking rates.

-I like that the center panel has a nice clean white backdrop. Again it highlights the high points of the location. Giving the text a blue color will contrast nicely off the white not to mention give it a different but pleasing look from the left & right panels.

- The '*' in the text "All prices subject to change without notice" conflicts with the use of the '*' in the text "See Manager for Business Directory" with regards to other business points of interest that are nearby. That '*' can only be used ONCE else you confuse the customer. My advice would be change the '*' to bullet points. One bullet point in front of "All prices subject to change without notice" and one bullet point at the end to emphasize that line.

- I like those little visual logos in the center panel and the right hand panel. It just adds a little more visual interest.

-In the center panel you have the telephone number and mileage in separate parenthesis. The look is too cluttered and confusing to the eye. Again keep it clean. Take the parenthesis away from the telephone numbers but keep them around the mileage.

-In the What's Nearby section you again have the telephone numbers in parenthesis. Keep a clean, uncluttered, unified look. Remove the parenthesis from the telephone numbers.

Others already have mentioned the font size and being careful in placement of the text in relation to printing and insert folds so I won't repeat that info.

Aside from the pointers and suggestions the general lay-out is strong but it just needs a bit of fine-tuning.

I hope the observations/suggestions help. Good Luck!

-

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 23:09:38.

10/04/2007 08:43:15 AM · #9

Wow!

What a great way to wake up! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time and thought you put into your critiques.

You've confirmed a few nagging doubts and brought up some great points that hadn't even crossed my mind.

Cnovack: Your organized and detailed comments are extremely helpful!

Shannon (

scalvert): Once again...you're a star! Your comments and the great stuff you sent me are greatly appreciated.

I'll post the changes later.

Thanks!
Roxanne

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

10/04/2007 05:01:57 PM · #10

OK, I'm back.

Do y'all mind giving it one more go?

I tried to follow the suggestions. 1/2 tones and color separations...I haven't gotten to that yet. Maybe the printer will do it for me?

The dotted line represents the crop.

Shannon, when you said to indent the Space Center second line, does that still apply? And if so, should I also indent all other second lines (phone numbers etc.?) How much?

Do the reverses have enough contrast?

Is it any better, or did I completely screw it up?

Thanks!

CNovack

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

10/05/2007 12:00:40 PM · #11

I really wish I could find a jaw-drop emoticon to put here.

Roxanne, you have done a smashing good job on this! This is an over and above improvement from the first draft.

You have a wonderful balance in the pattern of the lay-out in the inside of the brochure (love that fade from blue to yellow and vice versa - it really adds a nice touch). The blue header boxes with the drop shadow is an excellent touch.

The inside center panel is wonderful! So much more eye-catching and appealing.

And your front cover panel: Excellent! Love the font & size you used for the Breezeway. It stands out, is readable and the drop shadow makes it pop even more. The contrast in background & text colors should do really well.

To sum it up your final draft has a very professional look. Just one side note is to make sure that your printer utilizes the correct paper type to fully showcase that color fade on the inside panels. And it doesn't hurt to ask for a sample printing to find any problems with color bleed.

**Just another observation: On the Map on the back you have the symbol for U.S HWY 1 to identify the road but you don't have a symbol for identification for I-95. It would be a help on the map directions if that symbol marked the road.

bledford

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/05/2007 12:09:47 PM · #12

I agree. The changes from the original are dramatic and the advice was put to great use. I say, print it!