Group Members:

Beatrice Yong Poh Ling

Lisa Tan Wei Ching

Loo Chwen Hui

Wong Siew Yau

1) Design Research

Through the research that we have done, we found out that most newsletters’ design layout is tidy, to make sure the newspapers are easy to read and not too complicated for readers to comprehend the content. As a newsletter of an organization, the identity of the organization should be portrayed throughout the newsletter, be it through putting the organization logo on every page or come up with a design that incorporates the logo and the values that can portray the identity of the organization. Therefore, we decided to use the main color of HELP’s logo as the main color scheme for the newsletter, which are red, white and black colors.

The previous layout was relatively dull when compared to the final edition, because white background was used throughout the newsletter, while having red stripes at the edges of each page, to be congruent with the logo of HELP. However, such design does not only seems dull, it also does not invoke the eagerness in readers to get to know the content in the newsletter, in which will not be consistent with the identity of HELP: an organization full of vibrancy and energy as mentioned by the President of HELP, Datuk Dr. Paul Chan. In order to deliver the sense of vibrancy and energy of HELP, the new layout opted for red background for news pieces alternatively throughout the newsletter, to invoke a sense of eagerness in readers to read the content in the newsletter.

Moreover, we have also done some tweaking over the newsletter’s overall dimension, to make it looks energetic. Notice the edges of every page of the newsletter, and also edges of every news pieces. As compared to the previous layout, which is flat throughout, we revamped the edges of the newsletter, to make it look three dimensional. The rationale behind this is, making the edges bolder and looks three dimensional, are delivering the message that every news piece is important. Readers should pay equal attention to every news piece because those news pieces are parts of the organization. More importantly, it is to further emphasize the identity of HELP organization: an organization full of energy and vibrancy.

References:

-Alanaloria.(2010). 1 SHPRC Newsletter- November, STANFORD SEXUAL HEALTH PEER RESOURCE CENTER. Retrieved on November 30, 2012 from

http://stanfordshprc.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/november-newsletter-all-about-self-pleasure/1shprc-newsletter-november/

-Classicalkusc.(2009). Classical KUSC Blog. Retrieved on November 30, 2012 from

http://classicalkusc.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/kuscs-april-members-newsletter/

-Conti.W.(2011). Ubc newsletter. Studio Snack. Retrieved on 3, November 2012 from

http://studiosnack.com/2011/03/newsletter-design/ubc-newsletter/

-Salinas. Schipper Design. Retrieved on November 30, 2012 from

http://www.schipperdesign.com/2010/print/publications/index.php

- Salmensaari.M, Suvi. L. (2012). Barents Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Retrieved on 30 November, 2012 from

http://www.ttl.fi/en/publications/electronic_journals/barents_newsletter/pages/default.aspx

- Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.Retrieved on 30 November, 2012 from

http://www.sanc.org/publications/newsletter

2) Conceptualization

3) Crafting ( Design Development)

Creating the front cover elements and adjusting the colours.

Drawing the side boxes for the pictures to be fit in using the pen tool. Then using pathfinder to crop out the intersected paths.

Result after adding all elements onto the front cover.

As it looked too messy, we decided to remove some elements and create more white space and used the HELP logo as part of the title. We also decided to change the colour scheme as the previous one was too striking for the eyes.