Always design with the end in mind
Tuesday’s Design Tip for Graphic Designers
Has it ever happened to you? You design something beautiful. Then, the client plans on using it for multiple purposes. He’s planning on using it to fax, online, etc…
Nowadays, design must wear many hats. The same thing can be printed, faxed or photocopied, and often viewed online.
A brochure with many purposes
I once designed a brochure for a client. It was a four panel brochure that was in full-color.
One panel of it was dedicated to an order form. As I read the panel, I saw that this part could be either mailed back, faxed, or you can call them with your order information.
It’s a good thing that I read this. I had to create a brochure that could be faxed back and still be legible. Or else, the client may have lost sales and time because the order panel couldn’t be deciphered when faxed back.
Things to consider when designing the piece:
- Will it only be used as designed?
- Does it have to also suit any other needs such as faxing, photocopying, or online viewing?
- If it’s download-able document or online, does it still look good (even though it’s in full color) when printed on a black and white printer?
C O N C L U S I O N :
Adapt your designing depending how it will be used.
If it’s going to be available for download, consider that many people have B&W laser printers. See what it looks like if the color is removed. Also take into account toner: you don’t want something that will use up a lot of toner to print.
When you are designing something, always find out what a client is planning on doing with it. And read the copy!
My client would never had said that he’s planning on faxing it because he wasn’t. The client would be faxing back the order portion. So, the brochure had to be created with this in mind.
How are your readers going to be using it?
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