Law in the Library Speaker Series 2012 Marketing Designs

The "before and after" design of 8.5x11 inch handouts.

The library has begun hosting a series of speaker events called Law in the Library. The series covers common legal issues. Speakers from the legal community talk about a single issue at each event, and events open to the community at large.


Representatives of the Eighth Judicial Circuit organized the series and presented the library with what they wanted: a plain black/white, text heavy presentation with a giant sized logo of their organization--flattened out so it could be squeezed into the remaining white space.* I winced when I saw it, then let out a long, drawn out groan of resigned disgust. My eyes then began to glaze over at the mere thought that I'd have to read all that Microsoft Word generated Times Roman typeface. 

Sample text arrangement of one series
event signs.

I suggested they let me explore another solution. For starters, I suggested those involved consider that what was originally offered as an unrelated collection of one-off event that happened every once in a while, instead be considered and billed as a series. Branding it as a series would give it greater prominence and recognition as an on-going library service.

My goal was to give greater visual prominence to the series name by treating it more as a logo that could be consistently used on all publicity from event to event. I would reinforce the legal theme by utilizing a recognizable legal visual element into the series logo for greater, more immediate recognition than text alone could provide. And finally, I would return the organizational logo back to its original integrity by displaying it in its original, unbastardized shape. After that, I would work to bring greater differentiation between the different hierarchical levels of text throughout. And finally, I thought it only fair and appropriate that the library's identity also be on display as an equal partner in the event.

Website banners for three different events.

The result is viewed above at the top of this post.

Each event would make use of a variety of print and online formats to promote the series. Included were:
10x 8.5x11 inch signs
2x 11x17 inch signs
4x 30x40 inch signs
1x tv public service announcement advertisment

1x website banner

1x library blog image

*The moral of the story: Never let a lawyer design your promotions any more than you would allow a designer to handle your legal case.