Design for Print Materials 

Stephanie Grey 


Design for Print Materials 


About Me 
+ BFA, Graphic Design 
Carnegie Mellon University 
+ MFA, Graphic Design 
Rhode Island School of Design 
+ Design Consultancy 
+ Sensory-based Research 

Design for Print Materials 


Outline 
+ Print Materials 
+Who? and Why? 
+ Basic Design Elements 
+ A Helpful Process 
+ Questions & Discussion 
+ Resources 

Print Materials 
How many can you name? 



Print Materials 


Examples 
+ 
Brochures + 
Business Cards 
+ 
Posters + 
Direct Mail 
+ 
Newsletters + Calendars 
+ 
Pocket Folders + In-take Forms 
+ 
Fact Sheet + 
Signs/Flyers 
+ 
Sign-up Sheets + Letterhead 


Who? and Why? 
+Who benefits? 
+Why is it important? 


Who? and 
Who? andWho? and Wh
WhWhy? 
y?y?

Scenario: 

+ 
Brochure with busy elements 
+“Eye catching” color and images 
+ 
Difficult for students with 
learning disabilities to read 

Who? and Why? 


Possible Solution 
+ 
Create visual hierarchy 
+ 
Clear and direct imagery 

Who? and 
Who? andWho? and Wh
WhWhy? 
y?y?

Scenario: 

+ 
Difficulty reading general safety advice 
+ 
Small font 
+ 
Images behind the text 
+ 
Privacy concerns 
+Tries to remember everything 

Who? and Why? 


Possible Solution 
+ 
Large print 
+ 
Effective color contrast 

Basic Design Elements 
+ Font + Pictures 
+Text + Paper 
+ Color + Format 

Basic Design Elements 


Font 
+ 
Sans Serif and Serif 
+ 
Uppercase and Lowercase 
+ 
Italics and Weight 

Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Sans Serif 


Serif 



Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Serif 


Times Roman Georgia Minion 



Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Serif 


Times Roman Georgia Minion 



Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Sans Serif 


Helvetica Arial Verdana 



Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Sans Serif 

Helvetica Arial Verdana 



Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Upper and lower caseletters are generally 
more legible than all 
uppercase letters. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
UPPER AND LOWER 
CASE LETTERS ARE 
GENERALLY MORE 
LEGIBLE THAN ALL 
UPPERCASE LETTERS. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
UPPER AND LOWER 
CASE LETTERS ARE 
GENERALLY MORE 
LEGIBLE THAN ALL 
UPPERCASE LETTERS. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Extra thin, extra black, italic, 
and condensed fonts are 
less legible unless used at 
larger sizes. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Extra thin, extra 
black, italic, and 
condensed fonts are 
less legible unless 
used at larger sizes. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Extra thin, extra black, 
italic, and condensed fonts 
are less legible unless used 
at larger sizes. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Extra thin, extra black, 
italic, and condensed fonts 
are less legible unless used 
at larger sizes. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
H!"#$%&'()*+,!-., +/
d 
0(1!2)3(45!-.6+(.s +7-.3%&!8(9$,,)7+
d 
7":3&$.;<s!=.. 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Effective Font and Style Choices 

An Introduction 
to Partnerships


Helvetica bold and regular 

in Health 

Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 



Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Effective Font and Style Choices 

An Introduction 
to Partnerships 


Georgia bold and regular 

in Health 

Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Effective Font and Style Choices 

An Introduction 
to Partnerships 


Arial bold, Times regular 

in Health 

Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Effective Font and Style Choices 

An Introduction 
to Partnerships 


Arial bold 

in Health 

Minion Pro medium 

Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet !eir Basic Needs 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Effective Font and Style Choices 

An Introduction 
to Partnerships 


Helvetica bold condensed 

in Health 

Times regular 

Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 


Basic Design Elements 


Font 
Effective Font and Style Choices 

WHO WE ARE 

We address social determinants of health 

Arial bold uppercase 

and seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare 
in order to help vulnerable populations 

Times regular 

meet their basic needs and stay healthy. 


Basic Design Elements 


Text 
+ Point Size 
+ Letter and Word Spacing 
+ Line Spacing 
+ Line Length and Justification 

Text | Point Size 


+ Depending on font used 
+ Small point sizes an issue 
+ Larger type reduces fatigue 
+ 12–18 pt. body text 
+ 14 pt. and 20/20 vision 

9 point 
Text | Point Size 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health 
and well-being of vulnerable individuals, children and 
families by integrating legal assistance into the medical 
setting. We address social determinants of health and 
seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to 
help people meet their basic needs and to help them 
stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. A family 
forced to choose between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a prescription or a vaccination. 
Similarly, an asthmatic person will never breathe 
symptom free—no matter how much medication is 
administered—if he or she returns from the doctor!s of- 
............................................................................................ 
What We Do 
Partnerships in Health supports the expansion, 
advancement, and integration of the medical-legal 
partnership model by providing technical assistance to 
partnership sites, facilitating the MLP Network, and coordinating 
national research and policy activities related 
to preventive law, health disparities, and the social 
determinants of health. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve 
the health and well-being of vulnerable 
individuals, children and families by integrating 
legal assistance into the medical 
setting. We address social determinants 
of health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help them 
stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. 
A family forced to choose between food 
and heat in the winter months cannot be 
treated with a prescription or a vaccination. 
Similarly, an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter how 
much medication is administered— 
if he or she returns from the doctor!s 
office to mold-infested housing, as 
thousands do. 
What We Do 
Partnerships in Health supports the expansion, 
advancement, and integration 
of the medical-legal partnership model by 
providing technical assistance to partnership 
sites, facilitating the MLP Network, 
and coordinating national research and 
policy activities related to preventive law, 
health disparities, and the social determinants 
of health. 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health 
and well-being of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal assistance into 
the medical setting. We address social determinants 
of health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people meet their 
basic needs and to help them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. A 
family forced to choose between food and heat 
in the winter months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, an asthmatic 
person will never breathe symptom free—no 
matter how much medication is administered— 
................................................................................................ 
mold-infested housing, as thousands do. 
What We Do 
Partnerships in Health supports the expansion, 
advancement, and integration of the medicallegal 
partnership model by providing technical 
assistance to partnership sites, facilitating the 
MLP Network, and coordinating national research 
and policy activities related to preventive law, 
health disparities, and the social determinants. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
10 point 12 point 14 point 
Text | Point Size

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims 
to improve the health and 
well-being of vulnerable 
individuals, children and 
families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical 
setting. We address social 
determinants of health and 
seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to 
help people meet their 
basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet 
Their Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a 
biological remedy. A family 
forced to choose between 
food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated 
with a prescription or a 
vaccination. Similarly, an 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and wellbeing 
of vulnerable individuals, 
children and families by 
integrating legal assistance 
into the medical setting. We 
address social determinants 
of health and seek to eliminate 
barriers to healthcare in order 
to help people meet their basic 
needs and to help them stay 
healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to 
choose between food and heat 
in the winter months cannot 
be treated with a prescription 
or a vaccination. Similarly, an 
asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no 
matter how much medication 
is administered—if he or she 
+ 18 point for 
large-type 
publications 
Text | Point Size 
16 point 18 point

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health 
and well-being of vulnerable individuals, children and 
families by integrating legal assistance into the medical 
setting. We address social determinants of health and 
seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to 
help people meet their basic needs and to help them 
stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. A family 
forced to choose between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a prescription or a vaccination. 
Similarly, an asthmatic person will never breathe 
symptom free—no matter how much medication is 
administered—if he or she returns from the doctor!s of- 
............................................................................................ 
What We Do 
Partnerships in Health supports the expansion, 
advancement, and integration of the medical-legal 
partnership model by providing technical assistance to 
partnership sites, facilitating the MLP Network, and coordinating 
national research and policy activities related 
to preventive law, health disparities, and the social 
determinants of health. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims 
to improve the health and 
well-being of vulnerable 
individuals, children and 
families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical 
setting. We address social 
determinants of health and 
seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to 
help people meet their basic 
needs and to help them 
stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet 
Their Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a 
biological remedy. A family 
forced to choose between 
food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated 
with a prescription or a 
vaccination. Similarly, an 
asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no 
matter how much medication 
is administered—if he 
Text | Point Size 
18 point 9 point

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Text | Point Size | Titles and Sub-Titles 
Effective More Effective

Text | Letter and Word Spacing 


+ Consider the space between 
both letters and words 
+‘Wide’ spacing is generally 
more legible 

+ No need for two spaces after 
a period 

Less Effec tive More Effective 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help 
people meet their basic needs and 
to help them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the 
winter months cannot be treated 
with a prescription or a vaccination. 
Similarly, an asthmatic person 
will never breathe symptom free— 
no matter how much medication is 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve 
the health and well-being of vulnerable 
individuals, children and families by integrating 
legal assistance into the medical 
setting. We address social determinants 
of health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. 
A family forced to choose between 
food and heat in the winter months 
cannot be treated with a prescription or 
a vaccination. Similarly, an asthmatic 
person will never breathe symptom 
free—no matter how much medication 
is administered—if he or she returns 
.................................................................................. 
Text | Letter and Word Spacing

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve 
the health and well-being of vulnerable 
individuals, children and families 
by integrating legal assistance into the 
medical setting. We address social determinants 
of health and seek to eliminate 
barriers to healthcare in order to 
help people meet their basic needs 
and to help them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. 
A family forced to choose between 
food and heat in the winter months 
cannot be treated with a prescription or 
a vaccination. Similarly, an asthmatic 
person will never breathe symptom 
free—no matter how much medication 
is administered—if he or she returns 
from the doctor!s office to mold-infested 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve the 
health and well-being of vulnerable individuals, 
children and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. We address 
social determinants of health and seek to 
eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to help 
people meet their basic needs and to help them 
stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. A 
family forced to choose between food and 
heat in the winter months cannot be treated 
with a prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never breathe symptom 
free—no matter how much medication 
is administered—if he or she returns from the 
........................................................................................ 
thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Less Effec tive More Effective 
Text | Letter and Word Spacing

Text | Letter and Word Spacing 


Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health and well-being of 
vulnerable individuals, children and families by integrating legal assistance 
into the medical setting. We address social determinants of health 
and seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to help people meet 
their basic needs and to help them stay healthy. Not every illness has a 
biological remedy. A family forced to choose between food and heat in 
the winter months cannot be treated with a prescription or a vaccination. 
Similarly, an asthmatic person will never breathe symptom free—no 
matter how much medication is administered—if he or she returns 
from the doctor’s office to mold-infested housing, as thousands do. 


Text | Letter and Word Spacing 


Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health and well-being of 
vulnerable individuals, children and families by integrating legal assistance 
into the medical setting. We address social determinants of health 
and seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to help people meet 
their basic needs and to help them stay healthy. Not every illness has a 
biological remedy. A family forced to choose between food and heat in 
the winter months cannot be treated with a prescription or a vaccination. 
Similarly, an asthmatic person will never breathe symptom free—no 
matter how much medication is administered—if he or she returns 
from the doctor’s office to mold-infested housing, as thousands do. 


Text | Letter and Word Spacing 


Letters need to be far enough apart to be distinct 
from one another, but not so far that they separate 
into individual, unrelated objects. 

Letters need to be far enough 
apart to be distinct from one 
another, but not so far that 
they separate into individual, 
unrelated signs. 


Text | Letter and Word Spacing 


nerships in Health aims to improve the health and well-b 
vulnerable individuals, children and families by integrating legal seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to help 
We address social determinan e into the medical setting. 
A family forced to choose between food a 
Not every ilbasic needs and to help them stay healthy. 
p 
r 
winter months cannot be treated with a prescription or a 
ogical remedy. 
l 
larly, an asthmatic person will never breathe symptom 
er how much medication is administered—if he or she r 
from the doctor’s office to mold-infested housing, as thousands 


Text | Letter and Word Spacing 


nerships in Health aims to improve the health and well-b 
vulnerable individuals, children and families by integrating legal seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to help p 
e into the medical setting. We address social determinan 
gical remedy. A family forced to choose between food an 
basic needs and to help them stay healthy. Not every ill 
winter months cannot be treated with a prescription or a 
larly, an asthmatic person will never breathe symptom 
er how much medication is administered—if he or she r 
the doctor’s office to mold-infested housing, as thousands 


Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
Font: 14 
Leading: 18 
+ Leading: the space 
between lines 
Text | Line Spacing

Text | Line Spacing 


+ 12 Point Font 2–4 Points Leading 
+ 14 Point Font 3–6 Points Leading 
+ 16 Point Font 4–6 Points Leading 
+ 18 Point Font 5–6 Points Leading 

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
Not Enough 
Text | Line Spacing

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Not Enough Too Much 
Text | Line Spacing

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Simi- 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
16 Point Leading 20 Point Leading 
Text | Line Spacing

Text | Line Length and Justification 


+ 8–15 words for comfort 
+ Avoid awkward hyphenation 
+ Justify on the left margin 
+ Allow for ‘white space’ 

Text | Line Length and Justification 


Too Long 

Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals, children and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. We address social determinants of health and seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to 
help people meet their basic needs and to help them stay healthy. Not every illness has a biological remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter months cannot be treated with a prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, an asthmatic person 
will never breathe symptom free—no matter how much medication is administered—if he or she returns from the doctor’s office to 
mold-infested housing, as thousands do. 


Text | Line Length and Justification 


Not Long Enough 

Partnerships in 
Health aims to improve 
the health and 
well-being of 
vulnerable individuals, 
children and 
families by integrating 
legal assistance 
into the medical 
setting. We address 
social determinants 


Text | Line Length and Justification 


Effective Length 

Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health and well-being of 
vulnerable individuals, children and families by integrating legal assistance 
into the medical setting. We address social determinants of health and 
seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare in order to help people meet their 
basic needs and to help them stay healthy. Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never breathe symptom free—no matter how 
much medication is administered—if he or she returns from the doctor’s 
office to mold-infested housing, as thousands do. 


Text | Line Length and Justification 


Avoid Awkward Breaks 

Partnerships in Health aims to improve 
the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal assistance 
into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order 


Text | Line Length and Justification 


Avoid Awkward Breaks 

Partnerships in Health aims to improve 
the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
sistance into the medical setting. 
and families by integrating legal as-
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barri-
ers to healthcare in order 


Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to improve the health 
and well-being of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal assistance into the 
medical setting. We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers to healthcare 
in order to help people meet their basic needs and 
to help them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological remedy. A family 
forced to choose between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a prescription or a 
vaccination. Similarly, an asthmatic person will never 
breathe easily—no matter how much medicine is 
administered—if he or she returns from the doctor!s 
................................................................................................ 
Text | Line Length and Justification

Basic Design Elements 


Color 
+ 
Black and white 
+ 
Effective contrast 
+ 
Communicating with color 
+ 
Copy machine exercise 

.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
.............. .................... ...................... ...... 
................ ........ .......... .......... .......... 
............................................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
............................................

More Effective Contras 
t 


Effective Contrast 

Less Effective Contrast 


Attention 
+ 
Reverse text helps to call out 
important information 

Color | Effective Contrast 

Light Colors 


Dark Colors 



Color | Effective Contrast 

Light Colors 

Effective 
Effective 
Dark Colors Aries Arditi, PhD 



Color | Effective Contrast 

Light Colors 

Not Effective 
Effective 
Effective 
Not Effective 
Dark Colors Aries Arditi, PhD 



.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
Less Effective More Effective 
Color | Effective Contrast

.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
Less Effective More Effective 
Color | Effective Contrast

.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
.............. .................... ...................... ...... 
................ ........ .......... .......... .......... 
Less Effective More Effective 
Color | Effective Contrast

.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
.............. .................... ...................... ...... 
................ ........ .......... .......... .......... 
Less Effective More Effective

Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Less Effective More Effective

Less Effec tive 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Who We Are 
Partnerships in Health aims to 
improve the health and well-being 
of vulnerable individuals, children 
and families by integrating legal 
assistance into the medical setting. 
We address social determinants of 
health and seek to eliminate barriers 
to healthcare in order to help people 
meet their basic needs and to help 
them stay healthy. 
Helping Others Meet Their 
Basic Needs 
Not every illness has a biological 
remedy. A family forced to choose 
between food and heat in the winter 
months cannot be treated with a 
prescription or a vaccination. Similarly, 
an asthmatic person will never 
breathe symptom free—no matter 
how much medication is administered—
if he or she returns from 
........................................................................ 
housing, as thousands do. 
Need help? 
(617) 452 3453 
help@partnerships.org 
Less Effec tive More Effective

Basic Design Elements 


Pictures 
+ 
Avoid using photos behind text 
+ 
Crop photos effectively 
+ 
Support your content 

.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
.... ........................ 
.... ........................ 
.... ............ 
Helping Vulnerable Individuals and 
Families Meet Their Basic Needs 
Effective Not Effec tive

The new mural took 
shape as everyone 
worked together to 
get the job done. 

Basic Design Elements 


Paper 
+ High gloss difficult to read 
+ Matte paper reduces glare 
+ Heavier weight for double-sided prints 

Basic Design Elements 


Format 
+ 
Choose a format that fits 
the situation 
+ 
Space in the margins 

Effective Not as Effective 
Format Format 
1 inch .5 inches 


Aries Arditi, PhD 



A Helpful Process 
+ 
Ask Key Questions 
+ 
Evaluate Your Work 
+ 
Be Consistent 

A Helpful Process 


Ask Key Questions 
+What? +Where? 
+Why? +When? 
+Who? + How? 



A Helpful Process 


Ask Key Questions 
+What? 
What am I trying to communicate? 
What is the intended message? 



A Helpful Process 


Ask Key Questions 
+Why? 
Why is this information important? 



A Helpful Process 


Ask Key Questions 
+Who? 

Who will this information serve? 
Who will be using this? 


A Helpful Process 


Ask Key Questions 
+Where? 

Where will this information 
be accessed? 


A Helpful Process 


Ask Key Questions 
+ 
How? 
How will this information 
be accessed? 


A Helpful Process 


Ask Key Questions 
+When? 

When will this occur? Timing? 
What is the life expectancy of 
this document/information? 



A Helpful Process 


Evaluate Your Materials 
+ 
Ask “Is my message clear?” 
+ 
Consider the point of view 
of your audience 
+ 
Ask an objective outsider 

A Helpful Process 


Be Consistent 
+ 
Create a clear ‘system’ 
of materials 
+ 
Update information 
+ 
Build trust 

Questions & Discussion 



Sources 
+ 
Lighthouse International 
+ 
Society for Environmental Graphic Design 
+ 
Accessing Safety Initiative 
+ 
RISD, Thomas Ockerse, Hans van Dijk 
+ 
Kristina Lamour Sansone, Design Education Consultancy 
+ 
National Institute on Aging 

Resources 
+ Handout 
+Workshop 

Thank you. 

Stephanie Grey 
steph@sgreydesign.com