Mailer_Ideas

Advantages & disadvantages of direct mailers

What is a Direct Mailer?

1. A direct mailer is a marketing or advertising piece that is distributed through the postal system. It can be a postcard, brochure or complex package that includes a letter, reply card, envelope and assorted inserts. Regardless of its format, the goal of direct mailers is advertising. The call to action may be to place an order, dial a phone number or visit a website. The ultimate intent is to raise awareness and generate sales. The sender might be a company offering products or services or an organization soliciting contributions.

To read article click here.

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According to the United States Postal Service, the Top 10 uses are*:
o Generate leads
o Increase store traffic
o Respond to competitive activity
o Generate customer loyalty
o Create new customers/referrals
o Improve sales force efficiency
o Improve customer service
o Increase customers' average purchase amounts - generate higher sales
o Announce store hours/sales/new locations
o Augment media advertising to top prospects and select customers

Look at these cool mailers**.

* Source

** Source

Info for mailers_Poppy Evans' book

Worth a click! _Movie posters

If you love movie posters (if you are in this class, I assume you find them at least interesting =), you should click here to view this collection of the best movie posters of the last 79 years.

It's really interesting to see the changes. First, illustrations, big titles, a LOT of copy, different scenes shown as opposed to just one quiet moment. Second, mostly in the 70s, the use of black and white and the simplification of graphics. In the 80s, we see a lot of photos portraying one particular scene and the predominance of image over copy.

Following the same train of thought, what do you think were the major changes in the layout of the posters in the 90s and after?

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AIGA ATLANTA FILM SCREENING

AIGA ATLANTA FILM SCREENING Died Young, Stayed Pretty Wednesday, March 3rd 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Plaza Theater, Atlanta, GA Register for this event Volunteer for this event A candid look at the underground rock poster culture Died Young, Stayed Pretty is a candid look at the underground poster culture in North America. This unique documentary examines the creative spirit that drives these indie graphic artists. They pick through the dregs of America's schizophrenic culture and piece them back together. What you end up with is a caricature of the black and bloated heart that pulses greed through the US economy. The artists push further into the pulp to grab the attention of passersby, plastering art that is both vulgar and intensely visceral onto the gnarled surfaces of the urban landscape. The film gives us intimate look at some of the giants of this modern subculture. Outside of their own circle, they're virtually unknown. But within their ranks they make up an army of bareknuckle brawlers, publicly arguing the aesthetic merits of octopus imagery and hairy 70s porn stars. Along the way, they manage to create posters that are strikingly obscene, unflinchingly blasphemous and often quite beautiful. Posters from the film will be on exhibit at the screening. Event questions? Contact Doug Grimmett, doug@aiga-atl.org

Sophomore Entrance Review for the Graphic Design Department

Hey guys,

Just got this from Stan. If you're planning on applying for the program, you DO want to write these dates down. It's getting close!

Sophomore Entrance Review for the Graphic Design Department

Tuesday May 4th:

Sophomores turn in their portfolios between 3-5p to room 468.

Monday May 10th:

GrD Committee meets as a group to decide the next group of majors.

Friday, May 14th:

Sophomores should know by the 14th if they have been accepted into the Graphic Design Program.

Sophomores should plan to pick up their portfolios from 1-3p in room 468.

PS. Students who were accepted into the Graphic Design Program will receive an email by May 14th and shortly afterwards will get hard copy letters in the mail. Students who want to know how to register for classes for the fall should just go ahead and register as if they didn't get into the major. Otherwise you might loose a spot in a class if you wait too long. Students who get into the grd program will have their names submitted to Adam to be put into their fall classes.

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Letterhead, envelope & business card_Grid

Hey gang,

I know you all want to achieve a great level of sophistication in your stationery, so something you must take into account is its GRID. The grid helps you to establish a balance relationship between elements and make all the elements of your layout look more harmonious together. You can create an easy by using guidelines.

Another thing you must take into account is the MARGIN. Remember to leave good margins around your design pieces, so they have some nice breathing area. DO NOT put your logo or address too close to the paper's edge.

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Worth a click! _Video

I simply love this video! The concept is so simple, but it's executed with mastery! Btw, this is by Skank, a Brazilian band.

Click here to see.

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Presenting stationery without oulines

Hey guys,

It's almost time to print your stationery and present your mock-ups. In the artboards below, you'll have an idea on how to avoid those annoying outlines around your business cards, letterheads and envelopes. Take a look at them and remember, your mock-ups CANNOT have those lines!

Letterhead_Print image #2

Business card_Print image #2

ENVELOPE:

This is your envelope_Graphics, bleeds (if applicable), and dieline (outline).

Mirror the entire image_You'll have TWO printouts in the end: one with JUST the graphics and the second with JUST the dieline.

Delete the outline from this artboard and PRINT it.

Delete the graphics from this artboard and PRINT it.

To assemble the envelope, follow the instructions below:

Tim Gunn on Monday

Click here for more details on Tim Gunn's visit on Monday.

Also, I'd like to remember that your presence is mandatory. We'll meet at 2:30pm in 211 and walk to the Student Center.

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Creative brief

You will have to attach a creative brief when you submit your stationery. Think that each section should be a brief paragraph.

Here's a sample of a creative brief:

Client:

Project:

Example: "New campaign to introduce Ready Credit for Citibank."

1) Background / Overview: This is where you introduce the project.

2) Describe your logo:

Talk
about your concept. What's the single most important thing we want to
say? (Your statement should be concise.) Avoid generalities because
they result in ambiguous communications. Also explain your colors and
font choices.

3) What is the objective, the purpose of the logo?

A
concise statement of the effect the new logo should have on consumers.
Typically expressed as an action. And frequently focused either on what
you want them to think, to feel, or to do.

4) Target audience: who are we talking to?

5) Briefly describe your stationery and how it relates to your client's logo.

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To bring to class on Wednesday, 02/17

Hey gang,

Today is your logo's final critique and also your stationery in-progress critique.

Bring your logos on mounted boards and mock-ups of your stationery.

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Tim Gunn "Project Graphic Design"

From Paige Taylor's blog:

Tim Gunn "Project Graphic Design"

For any GRD student who is interested:

As you probably know, Tim Gunn is coming to speak at GSU Monday afternoon. I would like to put together a book of designs created by Graphic Design students. He was director of Parsons for 23 years, so he has served in education and mentoring in design, and I think he'd really appreciate the souvenir from his GSU visit.

Sooo - here are details!
Your design should:
1. Be 6" square @ 300 dpi JPG
2. Three colors - black plus two other colors
3. A repeating pattern

Think of it as fabric, wallpaper, or wrapping paper...it can be whimsical, retro, elegant, feminine, masculine, floral, geometric, whatever - but make it cool and be creative!

I'd like this by noon on Friday, so I can compile the book and get it made over the weekend.

Thanks in advance for your participation, and I am looking forward to your designs. :)

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xpedex_a GREAT place to find paper for your stationery

If you want your print pieces to look and feel real good, you should consider using a distinct paper. A nice paper can make a HUGE difference, not only in your stationery, but also in you mailer and so forth.

If you don't know xpedex, you should definitely stop by to check out the great papers they have. You'll find many 8.5"x11" papers (of different weights, colors, texture, etc) for only $0.35/sheet.

Here's the address:

xpedex Paper & Graphics

1030 Marietta Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30318

It's less than 10 minutes away from A&H Bldg and they have their own parking lot. I went there on Saturday to grab some paper swatches for you guys and I spoke to Candy Kennedy (sales associate). She was very kind and I let her know that I'd encourage you all to visit the store. You can ask for her if you need.

*** The reason why you should ask for assistance is that some, maybe the majority, of the papers they carry don't take ink jet printing so well, but laser printing only. So before making your mind about one type of paper over another, you should KNOW what works best for you.

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Poppy Evans_All the details graphic designer need to know but can never find

Take a look at this great information!

Paper Usage Guide

Paper grain & Optimum paper use

Envelopes

Envelopes

Envelopes & Folders

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