19 February 2012

Library Book Talk Event Signs & Bookmark Marketing Designs


Two posters from the library "Book Talk" series.

The adult services department at our Headquarters Library recently developed the idea to hold a public book talk event each month. Each event would focus on a specific topic and/or book and would be presented by one of the staff librarians.

Since there would be one event each month, I proposed we consider the events be promoted as an identifiable "series" rather than a bunch of random, unrelated ad hoc events. This way, I could develop a basic, yet consistently applied visual identity and reusable loosely structured template for each of the promotional elements that each event would use. The idea was approved, and I developed a set of promotional marketing templates based on the very first event: Love A Mystery.

The librarian giving the talk had already picked out the artwork she wanted to use and written the text to accompany it. She wanted to offer large bookmarks to attendees, which I thought was a fine idea. I suggested that the same bookmarks be created and offered in advance, however, to be used to promote the event ahead of the event date, which she also thought was a good suggestion.

So with her nicely prepared text and visuals, I developed a bookmark design and applied the styling to an 11x17 inch poster. She liked them, so those designs became our standard template to apply to the remaining events that would follow later in the series, such as the March Book Talk: Book Discussion event about Electromagnetic Pulse Terrorism.

The artwork I selected for the EMP book discussion wasn't as simple and clean as the Mystery event style. But as intended, the design solution would maintain standard design elements for consistency, while other elements particular to each unique event would be allowed to change. For the EMP event, I included semi-translucent darkened bands to help separate—yet continue to integrate—the text with the art. Another semi-translucent box—only this time in white—would be inset into the artwork to contain the descriptive text.
Front and back of two "Book Talk" bookmarks.

Total collaterals, per event:
2x 11x17 inch posters
50 bookmarks
1 web banner

3 comments:

  1. Like the idea of using templates whenever possible. No sense in reinventing the wheel if you don't have to. Give me good ideas for a couple of upcoming events we're planning. Thanks for sharing what you do.

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  2. Wow, I scrolled down and that electro stuff was really catching my eyes! That will look great as people walk by. I like the idea of the matching bookmarks to give to attendees. Wish I could come.

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  3. Thanks Bookworm and Kris. Templates really save time when time is at a premium. And that Electro image sure is an eye-catcher, isn't it? Matching all the promotional elements is a must for building recognition across the variety of communication channels and venues in which different pieces may be used and seen at.

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