30 Beautiful Examples Of Cool Catalogue & Brochure Design

In business design brochures and booklets are a standard tool for promotion and advertising. As we all know that catalogue and brochures take part important role in printing field.  If you are in printing field and you need to design brochures & catalogue then here we have a luminous collection of “30 Beautiful Examples Of Cool Catalogue & Brochure Design”. We hope you will get a lot of inspiration from these designs. So let’s have a look below and give us feedback through your comments.

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Letterhead And Logo Design Inspiration – 60+ Cool Examples

The letterhead provides an important addition to a brand’s image, with a simple and careful placement of it’s logo and corporate design. It’s importance must not be underestimated when working on a company’s identity and stationery.

Finding letterhead designs for your inspiration is pretty hard, especially when you need something top notch to see in order to have some guidelines for your project. In this article you have a little over 60 cool examples of letterhead and logo design inspiration which should help you get an idea on how other designers have worked on the identity and stationery of various brands.

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Why Your Logo Isn't Your Brand

Bad news, kids: your logo isn't your brand.

This weekend I attended AIGA Y Conference (Y17).  One of the first speakers, a name you probably recognize, Karim Rachid, immediately launched into logo vs. brand.  He pointed out how so many companies start with logo, and that this is a misplaced focus (my words, not his, although I agree) because your brand isn't just what your logo looks like -- it's about your service, the customer experience.  In some ways, he implied, maybe there shouldn't be logos anymore. Maybe you're misplacing your focus if you put more energy into your logo than into truly understanding what your brand means -- or should mean -- to people.

I can't count the number of times someone has come to me with a cute image, or even a not cute image that the spent serious time and money on. It's memorable, so they think they have "brand". They do not.

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Choosing the Appropriate Typeface for your Projects

Good Typography is beautiful and that's a fact. But how can you define good typography? There are millions of different typefaces on the internet and most of them are offered for free which makes it very difficult for designers to choose the appropriate fonts for logos, websites, posters etc. Today we showcase a fresh collection of the latest typefaces available to help you out a bit choosing some creative fonts for your projects.


Also if you are interested here are some tutorials that will help you out choosing the right typeface.

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Designing Style Guidelines For Brands And Websites

A website is never done. Everyone has worked on a project that changed so much after it launched that they no longer wanted it in their portfolio. One way to help those who take over your projects is to produce a style guide.

Edward Tufte once said: “Great design is not democratic; it comes from great designers. If the standard is lousy, then develop another standard.” Although there’s no stopping some clients from making their website awful, by creating a style guide, you’re effectively establishing rules for those who take over from you.

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Ask a Madman: My Client Wants Me to Copy a Design

Whether it happens in a corporate conference room or in a startup client’s office (read: Starbucks), at some point in your career, someone is going to ignore your sketches and ideas and say, “Here’s a site I like. I want one designed just like this!” A bruised ego is bad enough, but knowing where to draw the line between inspiration and theft is even tougher.

There are times we need to just give in to clients—it is a service industry, after all. As an old teacher once said to me: “If you’re a designer, you will have to follow instructions and inane wishes of clients. If you want to be an artist, then paint pictures.”

It sticks in my mind because at the time he was strangling me while other students tried to pry his hands from my throat. My arguments about creativity and self-respect were naïve… and aggravating, judging by the teacher’s attempt to murder me. I’m still reminded by peers that the wishes of the client are of utmost importance in our line of work.

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Lessons From Swiss Style Graphic Design

Also known as International Style, the Swiss Style does not simply describe a style of graphic design made in Switzerland. It became famous through the art of very talented Swiss graphic designers, but it emerged in Russia, Germany and Netherlands in the 1920’s. This style in art, architecture and culture became an ‘international’ style after 1950’s and it was produced by artists all around the globe. Despite that, people still refer to it as the Swiss Style or the Swiss Legacy.

This progressive, radical movement in graphic design is not concerned with the graphic design in Switzerland, but rather with the new style that had been proposed, attacked and defended in the 1920s in Switzerland. Keen attention to detail, precision, craft skills, system of education and technical training, a high standard of printing as well as a clear refined and inventive lettering and typoraphy laid out a foundation for a new movement that has been exported worldwide in 1960s to become an international style.

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Can a Font Help a City Make a Comeback?

Around the world, only a few hundred people make a living as fulltime typeface designers. Two of them happen to live in Chattanooga, Tennessee, population 167,000, where they've embarked on an ambitious project to distill the city's artistic and entrepreneurial spirit into a font called Chatype. The goal is to help the city and its businesses forge a distinct and cohesive identity through custom typeface, sending a visual message to the world that Chattanooga—a rapidly growing city in the midst of a creative renaissance—is “more than just your average Southern town.”

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Basic Principles of Brochure Design

Sales don’t just happen. Research in decision science reveals that customers go through three stages of a purchasing process:
1) knowing your products or services
2) collecting information and comparing products
3) finally making a choice for purchase.

Brochure is one of the most important marketing vehicles that convert sales. A brochure presents customers with detailed information about your products or services whether it’s brochure printing on paper or a online brochure on your corporate website.

Cover Design
A prospect either receives your brochure passively or actively ask for a brochure from you. Those two types of prospects will view your brochure with a different mindsets. For those who have passively received your brochures, their mindsets are still at the first stage of a purchase decision making process - knowing your products or services. For those who have asked for a brochure from you, their mindsets are at the second stage of a purchase process - collecting information for comparison before they make a choice. An effective brochure design services both types of prospects well. For the first type of prospects, the cover of the brochure serves the same function of a business card - inviting them to look for more information further. The second type of prospects may actually skip the cover and look into the content of the brochure.

Brochure Content
Content of a brochure feeds the prospects with rich information that is sufficient enough for them to make a purchase decision. There are one or more reasons for every prospect who decide not to buy your products after studying the brochure
1) the price is too high
2) the products don’t meet their needs
3) they want to delay the commitment and look at the similar products from your competitors.

The content of brochures vary drastically by industries and by companies. The principles of an effective brochure design are the same
1) present the products with pros and cons for easy comparison with your competitors
2) answer the critical questions to eliminate the doubts that prevent the prospects from the purchase action
3) do brochure printing or booklet printing in an eye-catching style for a longer attention span.

If you have hundreds or even thousands of products to list, catalogue printing will help the customers easily locate they are looking for.

Call for Action
Now that the prospects have successfully completed their research and product comparison, and ready to commit a purchase. An effective brochure will serve as a contact sheet to list your 1 800 number or website URL for placing orders by phone or online. People of different cognitive styles may look for the same piece of information in different ways - some look at the cover of brochure printing first, while other may look directly into the inside content or the back of the brochure. Contact information should be printed prominently on cover, content and the back of the brochure.

Author
Natalie Aranda writes on marketing and sales. Brochure is one of the most important marketing vehicles that convert sales. A brochure presents customers with detailed information about your products or services whether it’s brochure printing on paper or a online brochure on your corporate website. The styles of brochure printing and the content of brochures vary drastically by industries and by companies. The principles of an effective brochure design are the same.

the power of Graphic Design

Basically, we can find anything that has ‘graphic design’ (in term of composition on a surface) in our daily basis. For example, take a look at your shirt, you can see the composition on it (buttons, pocket(s), motifs, color(s)). Or try to find any other items, let say… your television, it consist of composition as well (the screen, the button(s), etc.).

It also happens to any other items (clocks/watches, magazines, signage, any apparel, households, etc.)When you buy something (well.., almost anything), what is the most get your attention? I bet it must be the design (in term of composition of any element on it). In the contrary, if you choose to buy specific items (cellular phone in this case) for certain features, would you buy it if that item has an ugly design?! Maybe you would, but at least you think twice before you make your decision. Things that might bother you could be: the color(s), how the way they composed the screen, keypads, buttons. It just not fit to your style.

Can you imagine how much Graphic Design affects in industrial field? No matter how sophisticated the device or how good the content of the magazine is, it won’t get a big market if it doesn’t supported by a good design.

That’s what I call “The Power of Graphic Design”. A good Graphic Design must be able to catch the viewers’ attention. How many magazines, logo, flyers, posters, newsletter, web, brochures out there?! The graphic designers are competing to produce the best design they can do. What they do would be the first impression of viewers, especially when it comes to advertise new products or publishing new magazines. The cover design (composition, colors, typo, images) would be the first thing that affects the viewers/readers.

Graphic Design becomes a promising career nowadays, because of the strength of they can do.

By: anton ardjanggi / www.anarddesign.com

graphic design principles - Basic

Graphic Design is a composition (lay out) of some elements which are shape, form, line, typography, color and image as well.

Graphic design communicates visually using text or images to present information, or deliver a message. The art of graphic design strives for a range of skills and crafts including typography, image development and page layout. Graphic design is applied in communication design. Like other forms of communication, graphic design often refers to both the process (designing) by which the communication is created, and the products (designs) such as creative solutions, imagery and multimedia compositions. Graphic design is basically applied to static media, such as posters, flyers, magazines and brochures.

Things to be considered when you do Graphic Design:
- Harmony
- Rhythm
- Balance
- Repetition
- Unity
- Color Scheme

There are varying degrees of graphic design. Graphic designer involvement may range from verbally communicated ideas, to visual rough drafts, to final production. In commercial art, client edits, technical preparation and mass production are usually required, but usually not considered to be within the scope of graphic design unless the client is also a graphic designer.

By: anton ardjanggi / www.anarddesign.com

basics for the small graphic design office

The Environment
If you are just starting out as a graphic design student or setting up a second office in a spare room there is a lot to consider. The comfort of a graphic designer’s workspace is important not only to inspire you do to your most creative work but also for you to stay healthy and motivated. Technology and software have made graphic design one of the professions where it can be easy to work remotely. Enjoy the freedom and set up your office for success. In the information below we’ll cover the basics of equipment and ergonomics for the one-person graphic design office. If you are planning for a multiple person office you may consider hiring a professional space planner to tackle unforeseen problems such as maximizing storage, adequate power and data connections and permits.

In future articles we’ll cover the aspects of office organization, business planning, pricing, contracts and marketing,

Why is your workspace so important?
We spend half of our waking hours at work (when a deadline calls it can be a lot more!) and more than a few thousand dollars when purchasing furniture, equipment and software. Making the right choices for your office in the beginning will save you a headache later. When the work pours in you want to work effectively without small hassles due to shortsighted decisions when planning you office.

The Environment
A small office is just that–small. Even though it may have to be carved out of the corner of another room try to thoroughly evaluate the situation before you hook up the computer. You pay attention to the details in your graphic design– also pay attention to the details of your workspace.

Comfort
What kind of lighting does the space have? Natural light changes during the day and during the year. Try to predict if you will be sitting in a hot sunny window in August and avoid it. Control the artificial light sources. Glare and hot spots on the computer screen will fatigue your eyes quickly. Would turning your desk in a different direction help? What is the noise level outside? Perhaps you should choose a different room if the trash truck comes at the same time as a client conference call every week. If you share the office with other professionals or you are at home do what you can to create a space without distraction.

Psychological factors also come into play. Add a room divider screen if you have a view of the kitchen. Add pictures and inspiration that will help lift your spirit when you didn’t get the latest plum project.

Safety
Are there electrical and data ports nearby? If not can you safely install your equipment without the wires becoming a tripping hazard? Consider a wireless office for your Internet connection. Secure tall and heavy items like the bookcase. Do you have enough room to move your chair around and walk clearly to the door in case of an emergency? Make sure your workspace has good ventilation. Air quality has an invisible but big impact on your health. Molds and fumes can be mitigated when you have good air circulation.

Productivity
Consider workflow as you envision your new office. A workspace with a logical set up will enhance your ability to complete projects effectively. Are the phone and printer located nearby? Are the consumables such as paper and ink cartridges stored in a handy place? Do you have pin up space on the wall to easily stand back and view your latest design?

By: Mary Beth & Paul Trautwein / http://graphicdesign.about.com/

how to get started as a Graphic Designer

If you doodled, loved comic books or made the poster for your school fair as a kid you probably already know you want to be in the graphic arts. A graphic designer creates and arranges two-dimensional visual elements to communicate a message.

Education & Training
Internship

If you are still in high school or college a summer internship at the local paper, marketing firm or printer will expose you to the day to day work of a designer. Search the web for internships but also look around your neighborhood and town. Ask friends and teachers if they know a graphic designer and to introduce you. Working at a computer is essential for a graphic designer today. Just being in the office will show you a lot about a designer’s daily routine.

When you are at your internship ask questions and eagerly volunteer to help out on important projects. Surfing the web all day won’t expose you to anything new.

Associates Degree
An associate's degree in graphic design or art is a good starting point if you want to get started quickly. You’ll learn a lot of technical skills and become marketable as an entry level computer artist within a limited budget. Check if the courses adequately prepare you to transfer to a four-year institution if you decide to pursue more years of education.

Advanced Degrees
A Bachelor's Degree in graphic design is recommended. A good graphic designer has a grasp of art history, communications and business. With 4-6 years of higher education you will have the time to both gain a breadth of knowledge in various areas of study as well as learn and sharpen essential skills specific to being a graphic designer. Look around and compare schools. Your comfort level with the school will be a big factor in your success. Though the admissions process may be daunting remember to evaluate the school as much as they evaluate you. Talk with faculty and alumni:

- Where do alumni work now?
- Where were the faculty educated?
- What is the philosophy of the program?
- Are internships and/or exchange programs available?

What is the admissions process? Start the process of evaluating schools a couple of years before you begin. Share your interest with teachers and friends. They may also have additional input and encouragement.A Master’s Degree will give you the credentials to teach in higher education. It will also give you the time and freedom for exploratory work. Some designers even return to school for a Masters Degree in the midst of running a successful firm.Graphic Designers do not need credentials or a license to practice. Though education is the route most will take some, such as David Carson, are largely self taught.

Continuing Education
Regularly take classes to keep your skills current in the marketplace. A two-hour teleseminar or a two-week intensive class will keep your professional skills from getting stale. Online training is a convienent way to learn software.

Portfolio
A design portfolio is a key requirement for getting a job. Every detail will count from the typography on your resume to the thoughtful organization of the work. Present your portfolio in person whenever possible, talk critically about your work and be informed about the firm or person you are interviewing with. Whether you use a traditional black book or go digital remember you are communicating visually—give a strong impression.

Your First Job
Congratulations. Are you ready to learn more? Once on the job it is essential for young designers to continue to grow. Good project management, interpersonal communication skills and a positive attitude will advance your career as quickly as knowing the latest software. Salaries range between $30,000 and $50,000 for starting designers. Many designers freelance at night and on weekends to expand their portfolio and earn extra cash.

By: Mary Beth & Paul Trautwein / http://graphicdesign.about.com/