    Project
name
MIT Faculty Newsletter
http://web.mit.edu/fnl/ (this is a certificate-protected site)
Background and goals
The Faculty Newsletter is published five times yearly and distributed
in print and on the web to 2,500 faculty members, trustees, and
administrators. The client was seeking ways to streamline the
production process, reduce printing costs, increase functionality
of the website, and improve the design and organization of the
content. In addition, the client wanted templates delivered for
both the print and online newsletters so the editor could self-publish
future issues while maintaining established design standards.
The PSB role
The PSB advisor showed the client portfolios of several graphic
designers who would be skilled at designing both the print and
online versions of the newsletter. It was important that the designer
be able to produce templates for the print version and train the
editor in their use to ensure that future issues would maintain the
established look and feel.The client narrowed the selection to
three designers. PSB prepared and distributed a request for proposals
(RFP), reviewed proposals with the client, and made recommendations
in the final selection. PSB worked with the client team and MIT's
Web Communications Services (WCS) in defining the scope of the
website and creating a schedule. Once the print version was completed,
the PSB advisor recommended appropriate printers and obtained
competitive bids. In addition to producing the website and templates,
WCS advised on usability issues and the information architecture.
WCS also provided training and support to the editor in using
the web templates.
Results
The redesigned newsletter has been received positively by members
of the faculty and administration, many commenting on the professional
look and feel, well-organized content, and improved readability.
In addition, the print version has been successful in driving
readers to the online version, which offers improved functionality,
such as searchable content and an archive of previous issues.
The design team selected a slightly more condensed font, tighter
leading, and a three-column format that led to lower print costs
due to an average reduction of four pages per issue.
In the past year, the newsletter's editor has been able
to maintain the high standards established by the design team
by using the comprehensive templates and style sheets provided
by the designer and WCS. The print and online versions have a
complementary and consistent look and feel. In the future, the
editor plans to explore ways the print and online versions can
further complement each other, perhaps by condensing the print
version and driving readers to the unabridged online version or
by offering interactive content online.
Vendor team
Design and print production: Moore Moscowitz
Printing: Eagle Graphics
Web development: IS&T Web Communications Services (WCS)
Get a more in-depth look at the process of producing a newsletter.
Or if you are ready to begin, start your project now.
|