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Make a Great Impression in 600 Pixels
By Jessica Albo
If your newsletter's in HTML or print, you need a nameplate (the banner that
displays the name of your newsletter).
Designing a nameplate is similar to creating a company logo. Typically, you'll
want a design that's memorable, compact (size-wise), and classic enough to last
two or more years.
We'd like to share the five steps we've found ideal for creating great
nameplates. They'll save you time and help you produce the nameplate just right
for your company newsletter.
Make Time 1. Set aside enough time. Never designed a nameplate before? Then
schedule at least seven hours for the project spaced out over at least one full
week. Whatever you do, don't wait until the night before your first issue is
supposed to be published to start the design! Remember, nameplates work best
when they're consistent over a span of many, many issues.
Inspire Creativity 2. Gather a creativity kit. Our head designer swears
glitter's a necessary component of any creativity kit, but I'm not convinced.
You will need blank paper, scissors, colored pencils or marking pens, and some
music (if you work best with background noise). Most people find being outdoors
inspiring (especially if you can be near running water), so don't think you have
to create your nameplates at your desk.
Sketch 3. Sketch at least six nameplate designs. You can do them each full size,
or you can fold a sheet of paper into smaller boxes (eight is usually a good
number). You don't need to be an artist for this step--you're mostly concerned
with generating placement ideas and general concepts on paper. (You should see
the messes I used to make in my design classes!)
Choose 4. Choose the two or three you like best to create rough versions on your
computer. Use a graphics program that allows you to use plenty of layers to keep
each element separate (like Paint Shop Pro, Corel Draw, or Adobe Illustrator)
and save a new copy every time you develop something you think you might like.
If you're not a designer, try to keep it simple--lots of effects and stylized
fills can detract from the rest of your newsletter.
Finalize 5. Choose your nameplate and finalize the design. Smooth any rough
edges (literally or figuratively). Save the file to the appropriate size,
resolution and number of colors for your newsletter (all depend on your needs
and medium).
The right nameplate for your newsletter will serve you and your readers well for
many years to come. Even better, the repeated exposure to the same nameplate
over many issues will build your company's credibility and trust, so make sure
your nameplate is something you really like that suits your newsletter well.
About the Author
Not much of a designer? The Write Exposure has just what you need. From free
advice to a great free ezine, straight through to full-service newsletter
options. We'd be delighted to be your newsletter company. Send us an email
describing your needs (mailto:info@designdoodles.com)
or visit our site for more information:
http://www.designdoodles.com
Copyright The Write Exposure
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