Learning Resources
Lesson
Design document components
A brochure is usually produced to promote an idea, event, product, service, organization, or other specific thing. It is usually compact, well thought out and includes only the essential information. Brochures are usually folded and printed on heavier paper or card stock. There are two common formats—three-fold and four-fold, primarily because they are the easiest to produce in quantity. Creativity in developing different formats is always an attention getter.
Three-fold brochures are used as shown below
Figure Three-fold Brochure
When planning a three-fold brochure, you will be planning for two sides of the sheet. Each side has 3 panels as shown below. The numbered red dots show the sequence of content in the panels.
Figure Panels and Fold-lines on a 3-fold Brochure
Four-fold brochures are used as shown below
Figure Four-fold Brochure
When planning a four-fold brochure, you will be planning for two sides of the sheet. Each side has 4 panels as shown below. The numbered red dots show the sequence of content in the panels.
Figure Panels in a 4-fold Brochure
Variations on these layouts may be made by cutting away part of one or more panels. Design, illustration, and page/document layout are addressed in Sections 1-4.
When planning placement of content on each panel of the brochure, leave appropriate-sized margins on the top, bottom and sides of each panel. Remember that the content will need to be readable on each panel individually when it is folded and when it is unfolded.
Example the sample layouts (and links to sample layouts) in the lessons in Section 4 for more information.
For Additional Information
If you need additional information, check the references in the appropriate lessons, or try one or more of these sites
- Tips and Tutorials 9 links to pages on brochure design and layout
- Tips for brochure layout
Assigned activities
Please complete the following, referring to the appropriate Sections and Lessons for information on performing the tasks
- Consult with your instructor to determine a suitable subject for development of a brochure
- Conduct basic research and planning to determine what the brochure will say
- Develop a table of contents listing the main points that will be covered, and listing any images/illustrations to be included (there must be at least one bitmap image and one vector illustration
- Select either a 3-fold or a 4-fold layout to develop. Three-fold is usually letter size and 4-fold is usually legal size, but you can make them any size you want.
- Develop a series of 3 or more mock-ups of the layout, giving different organizations of content for each one.
- Scan all mock-ups (entire pages) as bitmap images
- Select one as the preferred layout
- Build an appropriate portfolio entry in you course portfolio, including the scans of you mock-ups, and indicating which is the preferred layout
- Publish the entry to your course portfolio web