On Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 10:41 AM, Christine Louise Beems <christ...@gozarks.com> wrote:
re: "I also believe we should avoid proprietary software to create marketing
materials, especially when the pdfs they create do not print correctly on
the most common Linux pdf viewer :("
I agree, even tho I am a PhotoShop baby. For those who may be interested,
here are examples of my design work:
http://www.holleymountainairpark.com/brochure/ and any/all of the PDFs
posted to http://www.unipulllc.com/notice/catalog.htm
[aside: I would like to know how these PDFs come thru to folks using the
Linux PDF viewer... and/or if I can install/use such a utility while running
Windows?]
you can virtualize a Linux environment by basically using something like VirtualBox. Beside's that I think you can make an effort to run xpdf from here http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/xpdf.htm
I am open <smile> to learning to work with a new set of design tools and have been randomly playing with Open Source applications for a while, making some progress... In fact, I just created my first 'promo flyer' using OO.o Writer (and I will post a link to a copy when I get it online) however the big stumbling block for me is the necessity of having 'immediate access' to the storehouse of graphical materials I've created over the last decade -and- having 'immediate access' to utilizing the skill-set I've built over my professional life <grin>.
Well Inkscape and Gimp are both multiplatform so you should have no issue running them on proprietary operating systems. Inskcape: http://www.inkscape.org/download/ Gimp: http://www.gimp.org/windows/
And it seems to me from the limited research I've done, that I would need to (learn to) use 2 or 3 OS applications in order to do what I do semi-autonomically with PhotoShop... Tho I would love to be corrected and
Not really, like I said most of the Open source graphical tools run also under proprietary OSes.
put on track of an application that would make this transition smooth and easy for professionals like myself...
Well older PSD can be read by Gimp althought I would recomend changing to an open standard such as PNG and SVG. Unfortunately PNG don't support layers so having such tools would need more study. But you might also gain ground by learning the basics on creating / porting, tools such as brushes and textures. I also recomend subscribing to forums or support IRC rooms like: Gimp: http://gimper.net/ IRC: irc.gimpnet.net/gimpInkscape: http://www.inkscapeforum.com/ IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/inkscape
In light of which about the suggestion for a 'mix and match' high quality, global, 'language neutral' (thus totally graphical) full color folder (printed on one side or both?); a generic/boilerplate black and white (with fill-in space for local contact/promo info, optimally in an editable PDF) 'ad slick' in multiple languages and suitable for reproduction on a photocopier and/or computer printer; and six (?) full-color unique 'product info' inserts, one per each OO.o application... This seems a solid approach to me. In my lingo, what you describe is called a Presentation Kit. And optimally, all the endorsed/approved materials that go into the kit are developed, designed and formatted to enable any person with immediate download of any single page and print very effective high quality 'product info inserts' a few at a time. At the same time, for dstribution at conference/events and/or to make 'promotional presentations' to (for example) government agencies, nothing says 'top drawer' or grabs attention like a well-groomed and professionally printed Presentation Kit <grin>. In light of which I'm wondering, by what date do you envision these materials making print? I suspect the aim would be for the annual conference in the autumn(?) of 2010 and the celebration of OO.o's 10th Birthday... yes? Also, I think it is critical to clearly define 'the customer' we want these materials persuade, intrigue and provoke to give OO.o a try. This is significant in terms not only of establishing brandname identity over the long haul, but equally in terms of 'getting the most (ROI) bang for our buck in terms of printing costs. And under this heading I ask us to remember (about promotional design) that not only is it 'the sizzle that sells the steak' but also that it is 'the customer' who decides *what* the sizzle is... That is, are these materials are being designed to further expand knowledge about OO.o in the community of application developers...? or is the overarching aim to attract and persuade business, education and administrative professionals...? because just as with any translation, the text and other content of the inserts must be meticulously constructed with the 'professional lingo and imagery' that the folks we most wish to persuade most fluntly speak... One way perhaps to tailor the package to serve both tech and non-tech audiences could be to design the front/back cover with a universal branding stategy; design the full color inserts to headline, bullet-point, simplify and quicken the comprehension of the Features, Advantages, and Benefits of OO.o applications and, in addition to the generic/boilerplate black and white fill-in for localized promo, publish a non-editable PDF 'ad slick' specific to the 'Core Improvements' in the current version which would also be available in multiple languages and suitable for reproduction on a photocopier and/or computer printer. Anyway, those are my thots and questions... Hope all goes well with each of you. And thanks for the attention to detail y'all give to stuff like this <smile>. In my experience, it really is the difference between 'one time wonder' and 'enduring success'.... ~Christine ----- Original Message ----- From: "John McCreesh" <jp...@openoffice.org> To: <dev@marketing.openoffice.org> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:53 AM Subject: Re: [marketing] OOo Pamphlet?I agree with Alexandro - I prefer the more graphical look of the "Education Flyer". I think this particular flyer is good, although I think it could be improved by targeting the message better, and making more use of the available space. I also believe we should avoid proprietary software to create marketing materials, especially when the pdfs they create do not print correctly on the most common Linux pdf viewer :( As an early warning, for our 2010 marketing work I'll be looking to source some new brochures for conferences etc. There was some off-line discussion about this at OOoCon - one suggestion that went down well was to go 'mix and match'. So, we'd have a high quality, global, 'language neutral' folder - think http://www.folderprinting.co.uk/a4-folders.html - which we would use with inserts as appropriate: - for a small event - e.g. at a university - a local team could print out / photocopy black and white A4 inserts in the local language - for a large consumer event we could have one insert per 'application' (Writer, Calc, etc) printed full colour The folder could also contain a product DVD if appropriate. Feedback welcomed - would this work? Thanks - John -- John McCreesh - Marketing Project Lead - OpenOffice.org Join the hundred million - http://why.openoffice.org On Fri, December 11, 2009 1:56 am, Alexandro Colorado wrote:My particular opinion is that is too plain and that it has too much information which is not the best for a flyer since you want them to learn "key" things. Writing too much could make the people just don't read it or not remember what they read. Have you seen the Flyers for developers: http://ui.openoffice.org/VisualDesign/OOo_flyerEdu_final.html In my point of view this present a more visual appealing flyer with not too much information but enough to make it relevant. On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 7:52 PM, Andy Brown <a...@the-martin-byrd.net> wrote:Alexandro Colorado wrote:url?At http://www.the-martin-byrd.net/OOoPamphletv5.pdf ,it has been there since the 27th of November. -- Andy Brown La Mesa, CA Â 91942 www.the-martin-byrd.net/openoffice.org.html OpenOffice.org Community Distributor CD/OEM Distribution Project member Documentation Project member Marketing Project member User Experience Project member --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscr...@marketing.openoffice.org For additional commands, e-mail: dev-h...@marketing.openoffice.org-- Alexandro Colorado OpenOffice.org Español IM: j...@jabber.org--------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscr...@marketing.openoffice.org For additional commands, e-mail: dev-h...@marketing.openoffice.org--------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscr...@marketing.openoffice.org For additional commands, e-mail: dev-h...@marketing.openoffice.org
-- Alexandro Colorado OpenOffice.org Español IM: j...@jabber.org
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