Cost-Effective Redesigns

Will the New Year usher in a new look for your publication? Ensure your design team stays on-task in the weeks ahead by developing a clear action plan. Here are some tips to make the process as efficient as possible:

1. Set specific goals. Evaluate your current design in terms of you publication’s mission statement, and decide how a new look will support and strengthen your communications plan.  

2. Gather samples of designs that you like—and don't. Peruse popular consumer magazines, journals, trade magazine, and even your competitors for looks you’d like to emulate. This gives the designer an immediate sense of your likes and dislikes and helps avoid unnecessary trial and error. 

3. Designate a project manager. This person should have a clear understanding of your goals and be able to make important decisions independently. He or she will collate feedback from others and collaborate with the designer who will then execute the redesign.  

4. Limit the people involved. When too many people are involved in the decision-making process, a redesign can become diluted. It’s the project manager’s job to filter the feedback and communicate to the designer only the most important points.