Design a Great Flyer
Designing a great flyer isn't difficult. It just takes a little creativity, a little common sense, and a little organization. If your readers have seen it too many times before, can't find an address or phone number, or get frustrated trying to sort through a mess of information for a focal point, you've wasted time and money. Do it right the first time!
Instructions
1. Know who your audience is. Put yourself in the audience's shoes in order to create an effective hierarchy of information. Understand what the reader wants to know first and make that the focus of your design.
2. Find a unique approach. Don't redo what you've seen. Think outside the box for a fresh approach that makes your flyer stand out. Find something to boast about and call attention to it.
3. Establish the five W's of who, what, where, why and when. It's pretty straightforward, but it's amazing how often one or more of these gets left out. If no other information is given, the five Ws are essential to getting your basic message across.
4. Motivate your audience with a specific action. Tell your audience what you want them to do. "Come visit us today!" or, "Call for your reservation now!" is more apt to get your audience moving, rather than passive copy such as "If interested, call..."
5. Avoid making your design too busy. Don't overwhelm your reader by giving them too much information. Concentrate on clean, uncluttered design to get your message across. Stick to the five Ws and the information that's unique to the company and offer.
6. Go big on design without going big on cost. If you're only able to print in black and white, use gradients and screens to give your design more depth. Use a slightly flecked or textured color stock to add color and interest. A flecked stock can also help rough line art and course screens look better. Also, print on a 600 dpi laser printer when making masters to be photocopied, to keep the copies looking as crisp as possible.
