This semester, I took Public Relations Publications with Dr. Barbara Nixon at Georgia Southern University. Over the course of the semester, these were the top 10 things I learned.

1. Top 10: PR Publications
James Kicklighter
Georgia Southern University

2. INFOGRAPHICS
TOP 10
ENHANCE PUBLICATIONS
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

3. #10: Infographs
Instead of using simply text to
communicate information, choose
info-graphics, such as charts, tables,
scatterplots and lists to make hard
data more palpable for the reader.

4. PUBLICATIONS
TOP 10
CAN BE STRATEGIC
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

5. #9: Strategic Pubs
Not all publications are made for
information, but sometimes, are intended
to communicate a broader base of
information.
As defined by the text for our course,
strategic publications are "designed to
solve problems and to meet goals/
objectives with publics."

6. PRINTING
TOP 10
IS NOT LIMITED
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

7. #8: Printing Process
There are several types of printing,
not just the old-fashioned type we
think about when the term "printing
process" is bantered around.
Some of these processes include
letterpress, offset, flexography and
screen.

8. COLOR
TOP 10
AFFECTS COMMUNICATION
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

9. #7: Color + Comm
Though pictures certainly have an impact
on the overall design of a publication, the
color choices might be more influential on
the message.
Color evokes mood and attracts attention
to specific areas, guiding the reader's
visual flow through the publication.

10. WHITE SPACE
TOP 10
IS IMPORTANT
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

11. #6: White Space
In some ways, the choices you make with the
white space (not empty space) will impact the
readers perception of the publication.
Make sure that you give your work room to
breathe, so that there isn't an overabundance of
visual information.

12. CHOOSE
TOP 10
BLUE
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

13. #5: Choose Blue
According to most readers, this is
their favorite color.
You're most likely to appeal to a
broad audience with blue as a
prominent palate choice.

14. THE FRONT PANEL OF
TOP 10
INDESIGN BROCHURES IS #3
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

15. #4: Front Panel #3
This can be kind of confusing if you've never used
InDesign before, so when you're making that first
brochure -- think how it's going to come together
when you actually print it.
Label your panels accordingly. The front will be #3,
the back #2, and the interior flap #1. Then, when
you go to design the inside (which is laid out in
visual order), the back-half will make sense!

16. TYPOGRAPHY
TOP 10
IS NOT SIMPLE
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

17. #3: Typography
There are people so passionate about fonts,
they'd consider banning them.
Selecting type is very important in figuring out how
to best disseminate your message.
The first decision you should make regarding Type
is always how easy it is to read, not any other
factor.

18. SEGMENTING PUBLICS
TOP 10
IS IMPORTANT IN PUBLICATIONS
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

19. #2: Segmenting Publics
While anyone in Public Relations could tell you
that it is important to identify your audience, it is
ever more important in publications.
When communicating to different age groups, you
might have to change coloration, text sizes, and
image assets to communicate most effectively to
your public.

20. THE C.R.A.P METHOD
TOP 10
{CONTRAST, REPETITION, ALIGNMENT, PROXIMITY}
DATE CLIENT
11.29.2009 DR. BARBARA NIXON

21. #1: The CRAP Method
Discussed previously on my blog.
It is very important to understand these four
principles of design before moving forward with
any publication, as this method guides the way
readers observe a text.
Without a sensible flow, the work will not be
effective. For more information outside of my blog
post, check the text written by Robin Williams.

22. Source Images
http://athleticsnyc.com/assets/images/all-infographics680657_orig.jpg
http://static1.abduzeedo.com/files/posts/best_week/infographics_icon1.jpg
http://www.vectordiary.com/isd_post/2008/day01/infographics_ad.jpg
http://awu.nauu.kiev.ua/events/nauu080324agora/images/03_FAO_publications.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Handtiegelpresse_von_1811.jpg
http://www.photoscreen.co.uk/images/screen_printing.jpg
http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00BMotQEHaRPbLM/Flexographic-Printing-Machine-YT-6600-YT-6800-YT-61000-.jpg
http://www.glowbug.com/images/led/Fiet-multi%20%28color%29.JPG
http://www.adrants.com/images/Mcdonalds_coffee_stains.jpg
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/BlueMarble/Images/BlueMarble_2005_globe.jpg
http://thefashionisto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/blue1.jpg
http://dave.csonka.net/gallery/d/31-2/blue_sunset.jpg
http://www.yourdesigner.com/images/services_images/Tri-Fold-Brochure1.jpg
http://a3landerdesign.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/death_by_typography_by_gcore.jpg
http://ariellah.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/teenagers.jpg
http://healthyambition.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/light-reading.jpg
http://todaysseniorsnetwork.com/Elderly%20man,%20seniors,%20older%20men.jpg
http://www.nku.edu/~issues/illusions/Images/Contrast/ColorContrast01.png
http://maxdunbar.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/repetition.jpg