We are in need of a new leaflet/pamphlet design for OSCOM, etc. We've run out of the current design, and rather than print a large amount of a slightly outdated information booklets, it has been decided that an entire new design will be made, complete with new text and appropriate screen shots.
The goal is for people to "see" themselves using Drupal. We're calling all Graphics Artists and Wordsmits to look at existing resources and make the best info source any CMS has (we are the best, right? Right!)
Comments can be made here, or sent to Andre Molnar, who is supervising this effort.

Comments

Steven’s picture

Here's a link to the current leaflet (PDF).

When I got the leaflet, I showed it to my family... they were very impressed, but handed it back to me after reading saying "Yes, but what does it DO?". I have experienced similar problems explaining to 'normal people' what Drupal is and what it does. The current leaflet assumes the reader is already looking for a CMS and simply needs to make up his mind about which one to pick.

Do you think that is something we should keep, or should we have a little section about "What is a CMS?" which compares the traditional page-based website approach with a CMS-based solution?

--
If you have a problem, please search before posting a question.

stevensj2’s picture

Perhaps have a tri-folding leaflet, which when opened would show 3 'sections., and offer different info on front and back.

When Opened...

Section 1: New Users
Tell them what a "CMS" is, and how Drupal can help them "control" their website/content.
Section 2: Current CMS Users
Tell them why Drupal is better than their current CMS. Focus on Drupal's modular-ness, expandability, customization, etc.
Section 3: Power Users/Developers
Tell them about Drupal's large open-source community, projects, module development, and how IT professionals can really utilize Drupal.

And on the front, point out features such as taxonomy, etc and a more broad description of Drupal. On the very back, list some popular sites that use Drupal.

Just some thoughts.
-----------------
Josh Stevens
Nautilus7 Design | www.nautilus7.com

robin monks’s picture

I like that idea, remembering that we should have good visuals in there too.

Robin

--
Robin Monks / Socials
I build teams and technology for positive change.

Steven’s picture

It's a bit hard to judge from the PDF, so here's how the last leaflet worked as you folded it open...

Front
Standards-Compliant
Accessible
Modular
Stable
Free
...
Benefits
Standards-Compliant
(text)
Stable
(text)
Supported
(text)
...
Use Cases
Corporate sites
(text)
Community sites
(text)
Campaign sites
(text)
...
Benefits
Standards-Compliant
(text)
Stable
(text)
Supported
(text)
...
Drupal Architecture
Drupal Modules
(diagram)

Drupal Core
(diagram)
...

Key Features
Taxonomy
(text)
Collaborative book
(text)
Syndication
(text)
...
First you open it towards the left, then towards the right. Finally, the back of the leaflet had the little list of reference URLs for more info.

--
If you have a problem, please search before posting a question.

laura s’s picture

This looks to me like a great approach! There are quite a few people out there who just don't get the idea of dynamic websites, period. Do a google of "web design" and the vast majority of the companies are offering static sites, charging by the page.

So what are some of the things people need to learn? This is something that we, as designers of (mainly) Drupal-powered websites, are trying to wrap our brains around. Here are some things that seem like high points:

  • Unlimited content -- You don't need to be a designer to create and update your website content
  • Interactivity -- People can engage you in discussions on your own website. Communication is two-way, which means you can build connections.
  • SEO -- No need to engage in search engine optimization. With dynamic content, and adding a couple contributed modules, you can have a site that rates well in search engine rankings.
  • Stability -- No need to worry about crashing the site by adding a page.
  • Currency -- A worldwide community of developers keeps your software up-to-date, using many cutting-edge features and functionality
  • Security -- Drupal is a secure system.
  • Open Source -- Your "tech support" is a community of people who know and work with the code every day. A different paradigm from the top-down corporate model.
  • Features -- Most of the features you will need are in the core installation. Over 100 contributed modules add scores of additional features for your sites.
  • GNU/GPL -- The code is free, and you own it. (License explanation in a few words might help here.)

Is this the kind of thing you're considering?

===
Laura
pingV

_____ ____ ___ __ _ _
Laura Scott :: design » blog » tweet

andremolnar’s picture

Thanks for these points Laura.

If you - or anyone - wants to catch up on the discussion thus far you can read this drupal-docs mailing list thread.

I've expressed a desire to focus on what the benefit of Drupal features are for potential users. Not unlike the points you have included here.

andre

andremolnar’s picture

Fantastic Idea.

I like how it reaches out to different targets, but in such a way that the information is valueable to all of them.

What is it? Why is it better in layman's terms. Why is it better in geeky terms.

andre

andremolnar’s picture

The "yes... but, what does it do?" question is critical.

It really does come down to a decision about who the target is for this particular version of the document. Primarily we are looking at the OSCON crowd and I think we can assume that they have at least heard of CMS'.

Still, we should be conscious of making it clear - whether overtly or otherwise - what Drupal IS.

e.g. Building a world class corporate, community or personal site has never been easier. < - - says Drupal is a tool to help you build a world class site.

Just thinking out loud.

andre

matthew’s picture

The front should be Drupalicon.. underneath: "Hi."

I like playful product information like this would be.

Best,

Matthew
Have a great day™

matthew’s picture

I think we should build on the other ad we just made.

Here is a concept, only replace the icons with the ones from the print ad.

http://www.captivereef.org/files/drupal.png - how can I attach this?

Best,

Matthew
Have a great day™

robin monks’s picture

Hmmm, the effect was lost.

Perhaps with the ad background/icons?

Robin

--
Robin Monks / Socials
I build teams and technology for positive change.

andremolnar’s picture

In the interest in creating consistancy in marketing materials should we consider re-purposing the recently created magazine ad for the cover of the brochure/leaflet/pamphlet? (Have a slightly modified version to fit the different dimensions).

"What do so many on-line communities have in common?
Drupal.
Find out why.... etc."

Once again we could include site names in the background.

Thoughts anyone?

andre

graphicsguru’s picture

I was asked from Andre Molnar to post this to help us get this going.
Here is a Mockup based on the old layout
and Chris Messina's factoryjoe new Druplicon
Wordsmiths wanted to help improve with the new text.
all suggestion welcome. don't shoot the messenger.

http://www.programguru.com/pamphlet.jpg

sepeck’s picture

drupal.org overpowers it as it is now.

I 'see' Drupal and drupal.org at the same time and the icons 'feel' forced into a smaller space.

How about you remove drupal.org from where it is, drop the graphics down a bit and center between Drupal and 'standards compliant' Put drupal.org at the bottom. Like at the point of a triangle or arrow with the descriptive words pointing to drupal.org

This way we start with Drupal and end up at drupal.org after reading all those nice descriptive words.

-sp
---------
Test site...always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide

-Steven Peck
---------
Test site, always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide

andremolnar’s picture

Just a reminder to those intested in helping out on this project - we will require having all copy/text for the leaflet written no later than the 15th. We will still have a little time after that to fine tune the writing, but it will be on the 15th that we hand off work to the Graphics people to do their magic.

A project page has been created to officially track the project. It includes the project specification and some work in progress.

Please take a peek at: http://drupal.org/node/24384

Posts and/or contributions made there are also sent out to the Drupal-docs mailing list.

andre