eNZedBlue
October 31st, 2005, 09:45 PM
Hi all,
I'm starting up this thread as a repository for information about how to create effective, visually striking graphics to promote the WN message. I'm going to put together a series of tutorials (and links to other sites) about how to produce flyers and other visual materials using the GIMP (http://www.gimp.org) (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) a free-ware graphics package that provides most of the functionality of Adobe Photoshop and similar professional graphics packages, but is 100% free.
You can download GIMP for free from here (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/), and find documentation for it here (http://www.gimp.org/docs/).
GIMP handles all the basics necessary for graphics editing: compositing/layer manipulation/alpha blending/colour adjustment/text formatting etc etc. You can also create and edit GIF animations with it.
Some basic principles to keep in mind when making flyers:
Identify your target audience and keep them in mind when designing the flyer. Do not make use of "in-group" WN humour that will not appeal to the public at large and avoid offensive language. Aim to be provocative but not offensive (a tricky balance in today's PC climate)
Don't overload the reader with large blocks of dense text or they will not read it. The purpose of a flyer is to attract attention and direct the reader to where they can find out more information (e.g. by providing a web address such as www.govnn.com), not to lay out arguments in detail or attempt to win them over on the spot (which usually impossible).
Triple-check all facts and figures presented on the flyer. There are so many statistics that are in our favour that we don't need to exaggerate. Also, a minor numerical error can be just the "excuse" that a wavering potential supporter needs to ignore the message if they are already feeling uncomfortable about supporting WN ideas. Also, spelling is important.
Use simple, direct language, in the active voice if possible. Do not go too "high-brow" or you will alienate a certain percentage of people, and don't go too "low-brow" or else you will lose credibility amongst people who respect "experts" and authority figures.
Break up the layout of the flyer by including several of the following items:
A large eye-catching heading
Use of visual contrast (e.g. black-on-white text next to white-on-black)
Juxtapose emotionally-loaded images with text to give your words extra poignancy
Use bullet-point lists with 1-line factoids instead of paragraphs of text
Include a memorable quote or catch-phrase that will stick in the reader's mind so that they can pass on the message via word of mouth to someone who has not seen the flyer
If you are making a colour flyer, try to design it using high-contrast colours so that it will look good in black and white as well.
Avoid using acronyms that are not familiar to people outside the movement (e.g. ZOG, WN)
Next time I'll go through the basics of image compositing using the GIMP. If anyone has any questions or tips to contribute themselves, let 'em rip.
-eNZ
I'm starting up this thread as a repository for information about how to create effective, visually striking graphics to promote the WN message. I'm going to put together a series of tutorials (and links to other sites) about how to produce flyers and other visual materials using the GIMP (http://www.gimp.org) (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) a free-ware graphics package that provides most of the functionality of Adobe Photoshop and similar professional graphics packages, but is 100% free.
You can download GIMP for free from here (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/), and find documentation for it here (http://www.gimp.org/docs/).
GIMP handles all the basics necessary for graphics editing: compositing/layer manipulation/alpha blending/colour adjustment/text formatting etc etc. You can also create and edit GIF animations with it.
Some basic principles to keep in mind when making flyers:
Identify your target audience and keep them in mind when designing the flyer. Do not make use of "in-group" WN humour that will not appeal to the public at large and avoid offensive language. Aim to be provocative but not offensive (a tricky balance in today's PC climate)
Don't overload the reader with large blocks of dense text or they will not read it. The purpose of a flyer is to attract attention and direct the reader to where they can find out more information (e.g. by providing a web address such as www.govnn.com), not to lay out arguments in detail or attempt to win them over on the spot (which usually impossible).
Triple-check all facts and figures presented on the flyer. There are so many statistics that are in our favour that we don't need to exaggerate. Also, a minor numerical error can be just the "excuse" that a wavering potential supporter needs to ignore the message if they are already feeling uncomfortable about supporting WN ideas. Also, spelling is important.
Use simple, direct language, in the active voice if possible. Do not go too "high-brow" or you will alienate a certain percentage of people, and don't go too "low-brow" or else you will lose credibility amongst people who respect "experts" and authority figures.
Break up the layout of the flyer by including several of the following items:
A large eye-catching heading
Use of visual contrast (e.g. black-on-white text next to white-on-black)
Juxtapose emotionally-loaded images with text to give your words extra poignancy
Use bullet-point lists with 1-line factoids instead of paragraphs of text
Include a memorable quote or catch-phrase that will stick in the reader's mind so that they can pass on the message via word of mouth to someone who has not seen the flyer
If you are making a colour flyer, try to design it using high-contrast colours so that it will look good in black and white as well.
Avoid using acronyms that are not familiar to people outside the movement (e.g. ZOG, WN)
Next time I'll go through the basics of image compositing using the GIMP. If anyone has any questions or tips to contribute themselves, let 'em rip.
-eNZ