Abstract
The design of a flyer is normally dependent on the basic rules for flyer design. This includes employing the C.R.A.P principles. These principles include contrast of color, fonts, and elements in the flyer so as to achieve appeal. This principle operates on the notion that our brains are fast to pick out patterns and contrasts. The second principle is Repetition it involves repeating elements in the design this creates uniformity in the work. Alignment of text and images in the flyer design brings uniformity. Proximity of the elements draws the reader to the details in the flyer by appealing to the eyes. All the principles are geared towards making the flyer effective. These principles can be found in most templates although one has to modify them to suit the specific event. In this case for the humanitarian fund raising the message is not only restricted to conveying details about the event but it should also show the logic, emotion and ethics of the said event. This paper evaluates all these factors and relates them to the Housing for Humanity event. It determines whether the flyer for the fundraiser meets all the requirements of a good and effective flyer.
Flyers can be used for advertisements, invitations as well as for product or event promotion purposes. The Habitat for Humanity fundraiser is an example of an event that would require flyers for publication. Habitat for Humanity is a humanitarian charity that deals with the provision of housing for the homeless as well as those who have lost their homes to disasters.
It is a nongovernmental operation that was founded in 1976.It is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that relies on donations to build simple and decent houses for the less fortunate. The houses are built using volunteer labour and it uses the donations to buy materials for use. The nonprofit organization has been termed as the largest nonprofit builder in the world (Bagget 36). The charity’s mission statement states that Habitat for humanity works in partnership with God and people from any social class to help develop areas by building homes for the less fortunate seeking to put Gods love into action so that people can live and grow just as God intended (Fuller 6). It therefore, requires a well thought through flyer for its events promotion so as to ensure that the fundraiser captures as many people as possible. This is because the fundraisers are not only organized as a way of collecting donations but it is also a forum where members of the organization can spread awareness on the organizations cause.
The flyer is simple in its design and language as this allows it to pass the message to anyone who comes across it at first glance. It does not contain too much text as too many words make it difficult to read therefore, making it ineffective. The font size is big and bold, this makes it easy to read and eye catching. It also includes all the necessary information for the event. In this case, it contains the name of the fundraiser, the date and time, the location and what the auction is about and where the proceeds will be channeled to. A flyer should also contain proper grammar as well as spelling. Errors in this sector make the flyer ineffective and it may also communicate the wrong information to the intended target audience. Therefore the habitat for humanity Flyer meets this criterion.
A good flyer design should be eye catching. For this fundraisers flyer, the focal point is created by having a plain black background that then makes the bold and large font stating that all proceeds go to the Habitat for Humanity. By creating a focal point it allows the reader to identify the main purpose for the flyer on first glance.
Besides, it also contains relevant images showing the items for auction during the fundraiser a purse and a motor cycle. The black color for the background helps to highlight the text that is in white. The popping headline also works to ensure that the message is also passed across. It contains a motivational message that lures the audience by stating how useful the items on auction could be.
There are formulas to be followed when coming up with a good flyer the C.R.A.P model is one of these. The first principle is employing contrast, the human brain is wired to first identify contrasting elements in any work. Contrast can be achieved in various ways for example through space manipulation; this is evident in the flyer and the selection of color choices; you should select colors that contrast each other for example white on black or vice versa. The text selection should also be contrasting in terms of fonts and also font sizes, this highlight the main details in the flyer. The elements arrangement also matters when it comes to providing contrast they should be arranged for example top and bottom. Another form of contrast available in the flyer is the image of the purse that breaks the uniformity of the black background.
The other principle is one of repetition. It involves using the same or similar elements in the same flyer. This can be achieved by having a consistent background like the black color in the background and elements that are related. This is not seen in the Habitat for Humanity flyer which does not contain much repetition. Most templates contain too much repetition that then translates to over use. It should contain a consistent theme and visual elements they work to enhance the message of the flyer as shown in the flyer although the visual images are not well placed. A repeated format is also used to create repetitiveness. It helps to strengthen the organization and unity. This principle should be employed in the revision to include more repetition as the one available only covers the font.
Alignment is the other principle for flyer design. Texts and images should not be placed on the page in an arbitrary way. They should be connected in such a way that it brings out a connection. Alignment brings out unity among elements on a single slide and this is achieved by use of grids. Text arrangement in the flyer shows that they are well aligned although the images should be aligned as well in the revision. The Housing for Humanity flyer shows this quite clearly and it gives the work a more sophisticated look making it presentable and professional.
The crisp look is achieved after it has been completed and although the man cannot easily identify the link it does appear cleaner and finished. The principle of proximity works by arranging things in a way that they appear close then further apart. It arranges the items together such that it appears as though they are grouped (Longaker, and Jeffrey 45). Similar items can be grouped in a single unit and those that differ in a different unit. It helps to locate items easily on a flyer.
Other factors to consider for both the local and international level of advertisements design include use of persuasive techniques. These include; ethos, these involve appealing to ethics. It assures the reader that the information provided is genuine and credible (Kibin 14). To achieve this in the design it should only contain direct information about what is expected from the said event. Ethos represents authority and gives validity to the message on the flyer and convinces the target audience to come to the events. They require use of accurate grammar as well as the right spelling.
Another technique is the use of logos; this should only contain the logical approach in the detailing. The purpose should be clearly stated as well as the benefits for the event. This was not achieved in the flyer. It may give the purpose but it fails to persuade the audience based on logic. Pathos involves inclusion of emotions in the flyer.
This is achieved by use of metaphors, adjectives and vivid imagery in the message on the flyer. During redesign of the flyer these elements should be considered (Bleimer 45). These elements tend to appeal to the emotions of the reader rather than the logic. You can do this by including personal anecdotes that would include emotional appeal for the reader. This would work best in our event situation by working to convince the audience to attend the event and make a donation. The four principles as well as these factors should show the reader that the fundraisers main intention is to show the love of God, provide hope and dignity for the less fortunate and also support sustainable and transformable development (Editors 2).
The redesign on the flyer is minimal as it does appear to follow most of the principles accordingly (Stephanie 56). However some elements have to be edited to include more information for the reader. Repetition should also be included and alignment made so as to pass the message clearly. There was a dispute in how the visual images are related since the motor cycle and the purse image are arranged. They fail to show a link and are therefore misplaced in the work. The font size is fine and the color scheme contrasts well with the rest of the wording.
In conclusion, the design of this flyer must take cognizance of the elemental factors discussed above. Having proper design platform will leverage the flyer against criticisms that poor design predisposes. Thus, the three rhetorical appeals; ethos, pathos, and logos must be restructured in the design model to inculcate proper design in this flyer. These factors will unravel all the problems of the flyer, while integrating positive design attributes.
Works Cited
Bagget, Jerome P. Habitat for Humanity: Building Private Homes, Building Public Religion. Temple university press, 2000.
Bleimer, Jack. "Pathos and ethos in design." Design 2013.Print
Editors, Habitat for humanity. "Habitat for Humanity International mission statement and principles." Habitat for humanity 2006.Print
Fuller, Milliard. More than houses. Thomas Nelson Inc, 1999. Print
Kibin. "Ethos, Pathos, Logos: Be More Persuasive in Your Next Essay." Kibin 2015, Print.
Klause, Jim. Design basics index. How books, 2004.
Longaker, Mark G, and Jeffrey Walker.Rhetorical Analysis: A Brief Guide for Writers. Boston: Longman, 2011. Print.
Stephanie Mitchell. Demand Media. "How to Present Ethos, Pathos & Logos."Synonyms, 2011.Print.
