General Desktop Publishing Notes Before My Assignment Creation
So I’m tabling Module 3 and skipping ahead to Module 4 because it is due earlier in March and I don’t want to be rushed with the assignments. The task for Module 4 is to create a series of electronic and print materials using desktop publishing software. On its face, that doesn’t seem terribly difficult but based on prior experience I know it will take me longer to accomplish than it should according to me.
My idea is to create an online flyer and a print poster announcing various aspects of a fictional (to my area) program – “One Book, One Community” – because Pinellas County currently does not have a program like this. I have lived in other parts of the country that participate in this kind of program, and it was awesome knowing that so many of my neighbors were all reading the same book and participating in activities supporting it. This was especially evident when I lived in Philadelphia and saw commuters reading Persepolisby Marjane Satrapi on the trains and buses; it creates a stronger community when people engage in life and books together.
I really want to skip ahead and pick a book and jump into designing my materials, but know that preparation at the beginning will lead to a better product at the end so I began by perusing the websites recommended by my professor for helpful hints. “How to Design an Awesome Flyer (Even if You’re Not a Designer)” by Joshua Johnson walked me through step by step through the process. First, I need to plan my project; I’m off to a great start because I knew I shouldn’t begin work without planning! I will work on collecting my pertinent information and then dive into Steps 1 through 5 ((1) find and combine images; (2) fill in the bottom; (3) add a headline; (4) who, where, and when; and (5) add the paragraphs) as described in the article. I’ll share more about the practicalities involved in applying these 5 steps in my next post. I also know to keep in mind text alignment and style, and the use of bold but appealing colors. All of this can extend to creating a print poster for the second part of this assignment.
I am now off to research book selection as well as how other libraries have handled promoting their “One Book, One Community” programs to get ideas for how I would like my assignments to look.