Banner Design

[Joanne]

Hi guys,

 

I designed a bit of a flyer for the school last week and now I've been asked to do some banners to hang on the school gates.

 

I'm kinda struggling with this one. The others were easy, washed out picture of children as background, text on top. I kinda feel like a banner has to look really good and professional though and I'm definitely no graphic designer!

 

Here is one I have done so far:

 

 

I don't think the font is right. The background is a running theme I use for digital signage, but I am willing to change. I don't think a washed out picture of kids will hack it on a 3m banner!! Opinions much appreciated.

 

Also have you been asked to do this and how did you do it?!

 

THANKS!

[LosOjos]

What are you using to design it in? The kerning is all off on the text... (unlikely to be your fault!)

@SYSMAN_MK is the expert designer around here!

[Joanne]

Publisher 2013

 

Might have been my fault.... check it now:

 

Edited September 22, 2014 by Joanne

[LosOjos]

Definitely an improvement, but I think the character spacing needs increasing a bit; if the letters look like they're touching "close up", this effect will be exaggerated at a distance so not good for a banner (I'm by no means an expert on the subject, that statement may be twoddle)

[foofighterjim]

Not at all helpful but just looking at it as a design it feels a bit cluttered with the school name and text but sparse in the top left and bottom. (Not that I could do any better!)

[Joanne]

That's why I thought the font was poopies. It's tahoma. Can't think of a better one / can't be bothered scrolling through them all!

[Joanne]

I personally think the chosen quote is too long. I know what you mean @foofighterjim that's why I stuck the waves on the background and the washed out logo...

 

Oh I just don't know!!

 

I like this one http://webfronter.com/lbhf/stjohnsceprimaryschool/other/Ofsted%20banner.jpg

Edited September 22, 2014 by Joanne

[foofighterjim]

Possibly move the school name to the left side, get rid of the small school logo at the bottom and make the quote larger to fill the space? If the school is particularly pleased with the grade make the Ofsted logo bigger?

[Joanne]

Right... might have sorted it... thoughts?

 

ps/ I can't change the quote choice!

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26512[/ATTACH]

[nyiss]

It might just be me but I think the alignment looks a little off balance and i'm not keen on the font. Not that my input means anything, I spent half the morning re-drawing the register forms for the Head and got nowhere

[Joanne]

I don't like the font... I don't know what to do about it!! I'm tweaking alignment. I've made the ofsted logo bigger now. Just hope it's high enough res

[nyiss]

Right... might have sorted it... thoughts?

 

ps/ I can't change the quote choice!

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26512[/ATTACH]

 

Invalid link >.<

[Joanne]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26513[/ATTACH]

 

How's dis?

[LosOjos]

I don't like the font... I don't know what to do about it!!

 

Do you have to use that font? If not, try other similar ones like Arial, Verdana, Century Gothic (which is not at all gothic, btw)

[Joanne]

Reight... Century Gothic-ed it's butttt

 

[foofighterjim]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26513[/ATTACH]

 

How's dis?

 

Looks better (to my eye).

 

Do you have to use that font? If not, try other similar ones like Arial, Verdana, Century Gothic (which is not at all gothic, btw)

 

Aren't quotes like this usually in italic? Admittedly it may make it harder to read so may not be at all appropriate.

Edited September 22, 2014 by foofighterjim

[Joanne]

I really appreciate all this bouncing ideas btw.

[Domino]

Just hope it's high enough res

 

For a 3m banner the printers will probably insist upon a vector file...otherwise it's not gonna blow up well at all

[Joanne]

Aren't quotes like this usually in italic? Admittedly it may make it harder to read so may not be at all appropriate.

 

It doesn't look quite right in italics... although yes I think normally would be itallic innit

[Joanne]

For a 3m banner the printers will probably insist upon a vector file...otherwise it's not gonna blow up well at all

 

I rang them and asked what file format they required... pdf.

 

I was like... oh, ok.

 

Don't know if it's gonna be a 3m one yet, just designing it on that scale just incase.

[Tesla]

Have you tried Comic Sans, i hear it's well loved everywhere, across all establishments.

[Joanne]

Have you tried Comic Sans, i hear it's well loved everywhere, across all establishments.

 

**** *** *** *******!!!!

[Domino]

Maybe something flatter, more like this?

 

[Joanne]

I like it. The school name font isn't good though. Not modern enough for my taste

 

I'm going to reconvene this tomorrow morning. Gym times now

[JJanisch]

Have you tried Google Fonts? You can type in your text to view live previews of the fonts (and then download multiple to test out on your banner)

I think that lighter font (like your last attempt) is really nice and modern, and a slightly bolder and larger text for the header -- either way make sure they're similar! The difference between those two fonts is really obvious and doesn't look nice imo.

Edited September 23, 2014 by JJanisch