Standards Manual

I have decided on a format for my standards manual and have worked on the images section of the manual. This is what I have.

Graphic Standards

I am not sure what shape/style my graphics standards manual will take yet but I have taken into consideration the things that will go into it.

Use of logo:
- always appears in logo type when not used in body copy
- appears in arial when with-in body copy
- appears in tan (C=18 M=25 Y=35 K=0) lt. tan (C=4 M=4 Y=27 K=0) or the blue-gray (C=25 M=8 Y=0 K=78)
- never appears smaller than 1/4" or larger than 3"

Typeface:
- Georgia
- tagline appears in: Georgia bold italic

Colors:
- Main 4 colors: tan, blue-gray, dark brown and light blue-gray
- secondary colors: red, light tan, dark tan, brown, and medium blue-gray
- the tans are more to represent the use of the colors of the papers that Menno materials are printed on
- the red is used as an accent color on menno materials
- the blue-grays are used as a compliment to add depth and tranquility to the brand message

Other than that I am not 100% sure what I need. I think I should define something for the use of my images, however since this was an element that I introduced towards the end of the last project I am not totally sure how I want these to be defined in a standard sense.

~J

Idea Gathering for System Application

So not really sure what types of information I should be supplying to customers I sought out some information from current home owners. The information I got in return was really helpful.

A lot of them seemed to really like the idea of a newsletter of some sort or another. They also gave me a lot of info on different types of information they would want to know. The best suggestion was to have an "ask the expert" kind of question. They also suggested have a rewards or discounted program. This idea was expressed in several ways - either a "AAA for your house" sort of plan that Menno could offer, a recommendation section of recommending local experts, or coupons and discounts on things that have to do with your home. I also got a good amount of recommendations on the types of things that a homeowner wants information on.

I am not entirely certain yet what I am going to produce but I am strongly leaning toward a newsletter or information booklet of sorts.

I also intend on refining my materials from my system application to address some of the issues borught us on critique

~J

Inspirational Standards Manual

I chose this manual because I thought it had a clean design that wasn't trying to be too spiffy or crazy. I liked its horizontal design and use of color to separate the sections of each page. It had a lot of information without seeming too overwhelming. Also it had a lot of specific information that would easily help someone implement their logo, colors and standards correctly. this is only a few of the pages cause it was 20 pages long.

~J

Letter

this is the development I've made on the letter:  three typeface options (that I would use throughout) implementing various stacked rock images - more options below the ones that I placed on the document - and I created columns for the information to seem less "standard business letter.

I also added a tag line.  There is a secondary option above the letter, any other suggestions if those don't work?

Just general comments and anything that could be improved would be appreciated!

~J

Postcard

I added a post card that someone who picked up this folder of information could mail back in to get more information.  This is what I came up with ...  two cover options ... any thoughts?

Updated business cards - need opinions

These are some of the options that I have for my business card.  I stuck with the shape (since people seemed to like it, just not in the brown) and I added some blues/greys to my color palette to get away from brown.  I also started implementing images as part of my system.  

The first row is the front part, with 2 or three typeface options, and layout options different on each.  Which is working best?  The second row is the back with various options.  Same color, different color, no image or image?  The third row are image options for the back of the business card.  Should it be with or without a boarder? with/without the logo?

Thanks for the input!

Update ... sort of

So I have been posting during what the if ... and I have been crazy busy with other classes and projects due. So I am just going to post some more info on what is posted below.

The front and back of the pamphlet are two different options, which is better? Do you like having some depth in the background or is it distracting? Should it be something else?

Also, the three things I have will be a welcome to menno letter, the pamphlet and a business card. These three things would be included in a folder when a person first visits menno, or at a home show where they would pick up some information.

Does the business card shape look too much like a bean? how would I make it look more like a rock?

Any other input would be great. The letterhead with the welcome to menno letter is pretty plain, just a bunch of text with the rock shape in the red on the top and bottom and menno in the upper left corner of the red block.

I plan on getting some textured paper to print everything on, so the color of the tan/background might change slightly.

Any other input would be appreciated. I hope to have some changes before monday, but I did not/ do not have the time before 8 pm tonight ... but things have changed since most people have last seen them.

Updates

After taking some time away from my identity and thinking about what changes I could make to better personalize a letter, business card and pamphlet could better suit and speak the language of my company I went back to work. I didn't change a lot, but I changed the shape of the business card and handout to hopefully fit the feel of my company more ...

Below is my pamphlet (front and back with different ideas/options) and some variability for business card colors (three background colors with two of the three accent colors)



~J