Brochures- a key staple in promotion and public relations. We see brochures everywhere, even if you don’t notice them. They come in our mail, at gas stations, travel centers, schools, the doctor’s office, and so many more places.

With brochures, we are able to provide information alongside eye-capturing graphics and images. These portable pieces of information allow for convenience to viewers and can be great at being a reminder of your organization as brochures are seen so frequently.

What is a Brochure’s Purpose?

A brochure once again is a great way to catch the eye of viewers. It is able to translate essential information while piquing interest with images, statistics, and quick facts about your organization.

The folding mechanism of a brochure is especially helpful because it adds to the portability factor, and allows the fold to break up information to keep the viewer engaged.

Ways Organizations May Utilize Brochures

We see brochures utilized often for event promotion, travel, and for promotion of institutions like universities. However, there are several different sectors of business that can and would benefit from the utilization of brochures. Some of these types of brochures that would be helpful for all businesses are:

  • Company Brochures
  • Product Promotion Brochures
  • Informational Brochures
  • Response Brochure
  • Direct Mail Brochures
  • Enquiry Response Brochures
  • Leave Behind Brochures
  • Point Of Sale Brochures

The Different Types of Brochure Layout/Folds

  • Tri-fold
  • Half-fold
  • Roll-Fold

My Brochure Design Process

Utilzing Adobe Indesign was my first step. I set up my page meticously and utilized a fold calculator, like this one from Eagle Printing! This helped me ensure that when I go to print my deisng lines up accurately and ensures the highest quality of work.

Deciding the Objective of My Brochure

Each promotional asset you create should have some type of call to action. My call to action in this brochure was to apply to the University of Oklahoma. I wanted to focus on action words and the promotion of the University.

Utilizing Branding Assets

The University of Oklahoma has a whole section on its website that states key messaging, logos, colors, and fonts. Using these sections on organizations’ websites is incredibly helpful as it helps line up your new project with previous projects and the brand’s messaging.

Picking the Correct Images and Layout

As discussed in previous blog posts like my Newsletter post, it is important to create a harmonious and balanced product. I did this by balancing images with solid colors to allow for a “Z” Layout. Notice on the top page that there is a design element in the top left, then the top right, then across the page to the bottom left. This keeps the reader’s eyes flowing through the page and being interested in every aspect of the brochure.

I chose to utilize several design elements such as open space, drop shadows, and font size to keep the brochure looking crisp and professional.

My Final Tip

Utilizing inspiration from other brochures, and visiting the organization’s website to view its current branding elements is always a great idea. When I first started, the idea of a brochure seemed daunting. However, after reviewing inspiration and just trying out several different design elements I felt confident with my work.

Just keep trying! The more designs you try, the easier it will be to select the correct one next time!

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