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making pamphlets/flyers - help? by Jive

I'm pretty much a visual artist and writer only, and graphic design is not my strong point... nor is knowing what font is currently not considered unprofessional and terrible, where to place things for a cohesive design and flow, etc.

But I'd really like to put together a short, concise "why veganism" pamphlet (for starters... eventually, I'd like to make more about other topics like racism and transphobia/cissexism and misogyny), and I could use some help in getting started. There are booklets out there, but they're pages and pages, and I'd like something small and short and to the point for people who, let's face it, won't read more than a few paragraphs before either making up their mind that they're not interested or doing more research on their own/coming back with questions. This is something I've had in my head to do for a long time, and I know the points I'd like to cover, I just have no clue how to get from the planning stage to the actual doing stage.

So does anyone out there have any tips or resources for someone who has never taken even a digital art class in his life? Anything helps!
(I'd also be grateful for others to proofread and make suggestions once it's getting closer to being done... and recommendations for printing services/printers/quality paper for printing, etc.)

Thanks, everyone.

making pamphlets/flyers - help?

Jive

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    Lone Companion

    I don't know much about graphic design. I can basically only look at a finished product and use my OCD-powers to pick out what looks wonky, by feel.

    Might pick out a few pamphlets that look professional to you, and some that look bad, and examine the differences.

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      Lone Companion

      Might look for professional pamphlets from an organization similar to what you are looking to do. Some of them that have their act together and have good production in their materials. Or companies and things that would produce good materials. I don't know they they /have/ pamphlets. But the company that comes to mind, of all companies I think of, that I think of with the most respect, is the game company Valve. And my intuition runs out there. Not super effective.

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        Jive

        Nah, any suggestions are helpful! I hadn't thought of Valve, but they DO have some of the best graphic design, style-wise, that comes to mind... so that's actually a lot more useful than you'd think.

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          Lone Companion

          This is a complex hand book and not what you want to make. Still, looking it over might be useful....if not just instead very interesting. 1. handbook for people who have a mindset of enjoying games. 2. intended for intelligent/motivated folks I assume, based on the little bit of tone I see and the sort of folks Valve must hire. 3. Has its shit together. I only just glanced at this/read the table of contents. Thus far tone is relaxed, teamwork oriented in a non-bullshit way. The fact that Valve makes /high quality/ product and that so many people love them makes me thing whatever is in this little book is probably something people looking to study success+legit community concern+teamwork should probably read.

          Concerns: I don't well understand what draws in people who are not the target type of Valve. You might want to find some non-profit type organizations, who get good effects, lots of members, lots of work done. Look for some group whose effects are quality, then see what kind of materials they are putting out.

          That color of font that Valve is using is easy on the eyes and looks formal yet relaxed and intelligent. Valve's impression on me is fun/relaxed but serious, intelligent, really concerned with a quality product/bettering the experience for all.

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      Jive

      That's a good idea! I guess one of my biggest problems is lack of software available that I'm familiar with. I've never made a pamphlet before in my life (unless you count like 3rd grade projects) and certainly not professionally... and I just know I'm going to go through 20 sheets of paper before I get one that lines up properly.
      Seems like time to do some extensive Googling. I just learn better with someone to explain things.

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        Lone Companion

        I use the free program GIMP to do my very very limited digital art activities. It is free. That is what is good about it. I have used some other programs and GIMP seems harder to use than they, but ...free

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    Hawksigh

    I don't know much about this, but if you ever need places to get fonts for free, let me know. I tend to hoard fonts. You can also buy the more "professional" ones, but they tend to be super expensive. About $24 per font, for some of them. I wish you luck and I can't wait to hear more about this in the future! Wish I could be of more help. :>