Design principles are tools that will help take a simple piece of information and transform it into something more eye-catching, professional and leave the attended audience with a lasting impression. These tools can be used for designing a publication, newsletter, handout, ad or an infographic. When used well, the information will be able to hit your target audience and not only will they receive the message you want to convey, but it will also be communicating that your information is from a trusted and reliable source that they will seek in the future.

Which one are you? How many of you are currently designing pieces for your department? Brochures, flyers or infographics? How many of you are planning on designing pieces for your department? Now, are the rest of you taking the roll of the “Art Director” for your materials? Someone else will be doing the design work and you will be critiquing and giving approval before publication.