Brochures / Marketing Materials
Although everything seems to be presented in a virtual, online format, there’s still merit to handing a potential client an impressive brochure. These printed materials not only serve to show clients the services and features that your firm offers, it acts as a reminder that you are ready and willing to provide a useful service. At Inkandescent PR, we have had success developing brochures and other marketing materials for the firms shown below. Call us today for pricing for your brochure and other marketing materials. (Also: Check out the examples of the several Corporate Identity packages that we’ve created.)
Writing / Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design / Illustration by by Michael Gibbs
Photos by TaranZ
CLIENT: Hope Katz Gibbs, president and founder
Great Handmade Gifts, Inc.
Clifton, VA
ASSIGNMENT: Create sophisticated corporate look for e-commerce gift company that mostly functions online.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Shoppers, with focus on women (busy ones — and moms, in particular); and male / female artists and artisans to join the network
CHALLENGE: Although she launched in September 2001, Hope took several years to perfect the image and goals of her company. When she launched her website in December 2003, she wanted to have marketing materials ready get the word out in a bigger way. But she needed them to reflect the high-end gifts she sells on her website, www.greathandmadegifts.comBecause part of her business plan is to attract artists and artisans who make handmade gifts, it needed to be inviting for that arts audience, as well.
SOLUTION: Mike and Hope came up with a cover image for the brochure (three stalks of lucky bamboo, signifying happiness) that suggest the company is holistic and creative, but grounded. Inside the three-panel brochure are images of the assortment of gifts offered on the website’s nine “shops:” art gallery, books & music, home & garden, jewelry, clothes, babies & kids, brides & grooms, chocolates & treats, and wine & dine.
The colors of the brochure, and accompanying letterhead, thank you notes, and business card are warm olives and greens, which reflects the colors of the website.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I felt the entire package worked and the hit the mark I was going for: sophisticated, elegant and practical promotional materials,” says Hope. “These reflect the image I was trying to project for the company as a whole. I have only gotten positive feedback from the clients who shop with us and the artists / artisans who have joined the network.”
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Writing / Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design / Illustration by by Michael Gibbs
Photos by Steve Barrett
CLIENT: Tony Simon, owner
The Fun Company for Kids
Fairfax, VA
ASSIGNMENT: Create brochure, letterhead, business cards, prize tickets for children’s party / play place in Alexandria, VA
TARGET AUDIENCE: Kids, teens, parents
CHALLENGE: Tony bought the Fun Company in the summer of 2003, and spent months upgrading the play place. He wanted the look of his marketing / promotional materials to reflect the new energy and offerings.
SOLUTION: Mike and Hope came up with a large format three-panel brochure full of color, photos by Steve Barrett. The theme of balls, balloons, and birthday party fun dominated.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I loved the way it came out because you really get the feeling that the Fun Company is a great place to have a birthday party or bring a play group,” Tony said. “But you also can tell that we have a cool snack bar and arcade, which makes it a good place for teenagers to come and hang out. I felt these promo materials really hit the mark.”
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Writing / Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design / Illustration by by Michael Gibbs
CLIENT: Bobbi Katz, interior designer
Philadelphia, PA
ASSIGNMENT: Create brochure, letterhead for new interior design business for children’s rooms.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Parents, grandparents
SOLUTION: Fun and colorful, but sophisticated design dominates the look of this package.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I felt Hope and Mike accomplished the goal of illustrating the fact that I’m running a kid-focused company — but one that offers elegant, high-end interior design,” Bobbi said. “I am very proud to hand out these brochures. I have gotten several clients since I the materials printed, and the feedback from customers — and my vendors — has been incredibly positive.”
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Photo illustration and design by Michael Gibbs
Concept and writing by Hope Katz Gibbs, Inkandescent Public Relations
Client: The City of Fairfax School Board
Assignment: Create a postcard to mail to the 14,000 residents and business owners in the City of Fairfax, VA to inform them that the newsletter the School Board had been publishing since 2001 was going online.
Solution: By using an image of the homepage of the new website, and text that explained the reason for the shift from a printed newsletter to an online version, the School Board was able to inform its constituents of the change in an affordable, timely manner. In turn, the City residents responded by signing up to receive the electronic version of the newsletter. This enhanced the School Board’s reputation, and maintained the reach of Close-Up Online — a publication with important information about what is happening in the four City of Fairfax Schools. “Click here to read the back of the postcard”:
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Illustrated logo and design by Michael Gibbs
Concept and writing by Hope Katz Gibbs
Client: Hooks Book Events
Assignment: Create a promotional product to highlight the article about Hooks Book Events (HBE) that ran in The Washington Post magazine in January 2009, and also to feature the authors and high-profile corporations that hire HBE to bring those writers into their companies to inspire employees. Click here to view the back of the card.
Solution: By featuring the beautiful logo created by Michael Gibbs on the front of the card, and quotes from the authors and companies on the back, this card got people’s attention. Since it was designed as a postcard, it worked as a self-mailer, thank you note, and bookmark that the owners — Perry Pidgeon Hooks and Loretta Yenson — could tuck into all the books they sell.
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Illustration by Michael Gibbs
Client: Vint Hill Craft Winery
Assignment: Create flyer to announce grand opening of Vint Hill Craft Winery
Opening for Harvest 2009
Orders taken beginning in March craft winery
Vint Hill Craft Winery will deliver a unique experience that focuses on winemaking; the skill, art and passion that surround it. Veteran Virginia winemaker Chris Pearmund is spearheading this new concept in personalized winemaking; ensuring quality, success and sustainability.
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Writing and Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Art director: Mary Argodale
Illustration by Michael Gibbs
Challenge: Promote the GWU School of Engineering and Applied Science a unique look but with common elements to make all the promotional materials cohesive.
Solution: Hope hired illustrator Michael Gibbs www.michaelgibbs.com to create one painting for each of the programs. Each had specific theme (such as the giant computer chip, pictured here on the cover of the catalog for the School of Engineering and Applied Science).
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Writing and Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Art director: Mary Argodale
Illustration by Michael Gibbs
Challenge: Promote the GWU School of Engineering and Applied Science a unique look but with common elements to make all the promotional materials cohesive.
Solution: Hope hired illustrator Michael Gibbs www.michaelgibbs.com to create one painting for each of the programs. Each had specific theme (such as the giant computer chip, pictured here on the cover of the catalog for the School of Engineering and Applied Science).
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Writing and concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Illustration by Michael Gibbs
Art director: Mary Argodale
Challenge: Promote the 10 programs within the University’s School of Science, giving each a unique look but with common elements to make all the promotional materials cohesive.
Solution: Hope hired illustrator Michael Gibbs www.michaelgibbs.com to create one painting for each of the programs. Each had specific theme (such as the microscope, pictured here on the cover of the Science catalog).
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Design by Michael Gibbs
Writing by Hope Gibbs
Client: Terri & Kate Clothier
Challenge: A beautiful outfit for sale at the high-end Great Falls, VA boutique Terri & Kate Clothier was featured in an October issue of InStyle magazine. Owner, Terri Parent, wanted to celebrate the press mention and share the information about the outfit with current and potential clients.
Solution: With permission from the photographer who shot the InStyle image, and the magazine as well, designer Michael Gibbs scanned in the image then worked his magic to make the wool tweed skirt from the manufacturer Supply & Demand — for sale at Terri & Kate’s for $174 — pop out on the glossy white card.
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Writer: Hope Katz Gibbs
Design: Michael Gibbs Illustration & Design
Client: Alexandria City Public Schools
Challenge: Create a marketing piece to encourage parent participation in student’s lives. The community that attends the Alexandria City Public Schools is highly diverse, so the piece needed to be simple and appealing so parents would want to pick it up when it was handed out at Back to School night.
Solution: Hope and Michael Gibbs created this colorful refrigerator magnet that offered 20 ways parents can take a more active role in their child’s school lives. We had the same text translated into Spanish, and created a second magnet for ESOL families.
Click inside to see the magnet translated into Spanish.
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Design by Michael Gibbs
Illustrations by Becky Heavner
Challenge: To create a brochure that provides information about Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, one of several magnet programs in the Alexandria City Public School district. T
Solution: Designer Michael Gibbs hired illustrator Becky Heavner to create several illustrations in her famously whimsical style. By combining the artwork with elegant type in a fold-out brochure style, the goals of the project were met.
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Writer: Hope Katz Gibbs
Designer: Michael Gibbs
Client: City of Fairfax Schools
Each of the four City of Fairfax Schools has a special focus, and this brochure outlined what makes each school unique.
Providence and Daniels Run Elementary: Focus schools for math, science, communication arts, and technology. Plus, Latin is taught at both schools, and starting in 2007 Chinese classes begun for 1st graders. Each year, another grade level will be added. University affiliations and business partners include George Mason University, Costco, and the IRS.
Lanier Middle School: SmartBoards in each classroom and three foreign language programs (German, French and Spanish). University affiliations and business partners include Lyceum, Oracle, George Mason Univ., and Lockheed Martin.
Fairfax High School: More than 18 Advanced Placement classes, inclusive honors in all areas of study, and an award-wining music program. There’s also the Academy for Communication Arts, and more than 28 boys and girls sports teams. University affiliations and business partners include George Mason University, George Washington University, and BTG Business Partnerships with scholarships for seniors.
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Writing / Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design / Illustration by by Michael Gibbs
CLIENT: Bobbi Katz, interior designer
Philadelphia, PA
ASSIGNMENT: Create brochure, letterhead for new interior design business for children’s rooms.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Parents, grandparents
SOLUTION: Fun and colorful, but sophisticated design dominates the look of this package.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I felt Hope and Mike accomplished the goal of illustrating the fact that I’m running a kid-focused company — but one that offers elegant, high-end interior design,” Bobbi said. “I am very proud to hand out these brochures. I have gotten several clients since I the materials printed, and the feedback from customers — and my vendors — has been incredibly positive.”
Read More
Writing / Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design / Illustration by by Michael Gibbs
Photos by TaranZ
CLIENT: Hope Katz Gibbs, president and founder
Great Handmade Gifts, Inc.
Clifton, VA
ASSIGNMENT: Create sophisticated corporate look for e-commerce gift company that mostly functions online.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Shoppers, with focus on women (busy ones — and moms, in particular); and male / female artists and artisans to join the network
CHALLENGE: Although she launched in September 2001, Hope took several years to perfect the image and goals of her company. When she launched her website in December 2003, she wanted to have marketing materials ready get the word out in a bigger way. But she needed them to reflect the high-end gifts she sells on her website, www.greathandmadegifts.comBecause part of her business plan is to attract artists and artisans who make handmade gifts, it needed to be inviting for that arts audience, as well.
SOLUTION: Mike and Hope came up with a cover image for the brochure (three stalks of lucky bamboo, signifying happiness) that suggest the company is holistic and creative, but grounded. Inside the three-panel brochure are images of the assortment of gifts offered on the website’s nine “shops:” art gallery, books & music, home & garden, jewelry, clothes, babies & kids, brides & grooms, chocolates & treats, and wine & dine.
The colors of the brochure, and accompanying letterhead, thank you notes, and business card are warm olives and greens, which reflects the colors of the website.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I felt the entire package worked and the hit the mark I was going for: sophisticated, elegant and practical promotional materials,” says Hope. “These reflect the image I was trying to project for the company as a whole. I have only gotten positive feedback from the clients who shop with us and the artists / artisans who have joined the network.”
Read More
Writing / Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design / Illustration by by Michael Gibbs
Photos by Steve Barrett
CLIENT: Tony Simon, owner
The Fun Company for Kids
Fairfax, VA
ASSIGNMENT: Create brochure, letterhead, business cards, prize tickets for children’s party / play place in Alexandria, VA
TARGET AUDIENCE: Kids, teens, parents
CHALLENGE: Tony bought the Fun Company in the summer of 2003, and spent months upgrading the play place. He wanted the look of his marketing / promotional materials to reflect the new energy and offerings.
SOLUTION: Mike and Hope came up with a large format three-panel brochure full of color, photos by Steve Barrett. The theme of balls, balloons, and birthday party fun dominated.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I loved the way it came out because you really get the feeling that the Fun Company is a great place to have a birthday party or bring a play group,” Tony said. “But you also can tell that we have a cool snack bar and arcade, which makes it a good place for teenagers to come and hang out. I felt these promo materials really hit the mark.”
Read More
CLIENT: Michael Gibbs, Michael Gibbs Illustration & Design
Editing by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design by by Michael Gibbs
CLIENT: Michael Glenwood, illustrator
M. Glenwood Designs
Fairfax, VA
ASSIGNMENT: Create promotional portfolio of artwork that is easy to mail and affordable to print.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Art directors, fine art buyers
SOLUTION: Hope and Mike helped M. Glenwood select the best images to put into the brochure, then assisted in the design of the pages and editing of the text.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I really wanted this promotional piece to show off my best work, but be as elegant and simple as possible,” M. Glenwood said. “I think we accomplished that goal.”
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CLIENT: Michael Gibbs, Michael Gibbs Illustration & Design
Editing by Hope Katz Gibbs
Design by by Michael Gibbs
ASSIGNMENT: Create promotional portfolio of artwork that is easy to mail and affordable to print.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Art directors, fine art buyers
CHALLENGE: Because Michael has created literally thousands of illustrations over the course of his 30-year illustration career, he was having trouble deciding which pieces to put into his promotional portfolio.
SOLUTION: We decided he should focus on the editorial pieces he’s won awards for in the last 3 years for the first half o the brochure. In the back, we opted to include the posters he was commissioned to create for The Virginia Opera (pictured here), and other theater companies. These, too, have all won awards.
CLIENT FEEDBACK: “I am always slightly nervous to put my work out there, but this brochure proved to be especially effective as a means of drumming up business,” Mike says. “As always, I appreciated Hope’s feedback in choosing the pieces to include, and also in the editing of the copy. This was another nice joint effort.”
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Writing and concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Art director: Mary Argodale
Client: GWU
Challenge: Inspire more incoming freshmen and sophomores to apply for GWU’s Honors Program.
Solution: Our team decided to get the student’s attention with an oversized blue / yellow brochure (school colors) with red accents. We came up with a slightly challenging headline: “Think you’re smart?” Inside it read, “So do we.”
In smaller print we painted a picture about what it is like to be an Honors student at the collegiate level. Then used large and smaller type to accent key points [a precursor to today’s bubble clouds]: imagination, excitement, creativity, unconventional, choices, powerful, uncommon.
Outcome: Calls to the guidance department about the rigor of the Honors Program rose dramatically in the weeks following the mailing of the brochure.
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by Hope Katz Gibbs
Senior Publications Coordinator
Office of Enrollment Management
The George Washington University
Art director: Mary Argodale
Spring 1993
Challenge: Create a brochure that will inspire students to apply for the GWU Presidential Arts Scholarship.
Solution: In collaboration with the art department, created a unique artsy two-fold brochure. Bold colors were muted to suggest the intensity of the program. With a photographer, I traveled around the university to capture the students and faculty in motion. Quotes from successful performers in all the discipline areas (dance, drama, music, fine art) were used throughout.
Examples:
“I do everything I know how in a dance.” — Twyla Tharp
“Drama is life with its dull bits cut out.” — Alfred Hitchcock
“Music is the arithmetic of sounds, as optics is the geometry of light.” — Claude Debussy
“ … the artist has only to trust his eyes.” — Auguste Rodin
Outcome: Applications were up by 10% for the Presidential Arts Scholarship in 1993 than in any year before.
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