Hurricane Katrina benefit: newbie needs urgent with poster design

[Newbie]

For a Hurricane Katrina aid event on a very short notice (a world
famous artist will be in town and has agreed to perform), tt falls on a
couple of newbies (who have only composed letters) to design a 11X17
full-color poster to be printed at Kinko's or equivalent in a few days.


People will forgive us if we botch it, but we want to do a respectable
job. We have a mac, MS word, a file of artists' photograph. Other than
that we are out of our depth here! This is an urgent appeal to all
experts to help us decide basic design: the colors, fonts and sizes,
etc.

Here is the general structure if the text:

--------------11x17 Color Poster Begins--------

IN AID OF HURRICANE KATRINA SURVIVORS

XY1 Foundation and YZ2 Academy present

Flute Maestro
<Main Artist>

[Photo goes here? See a question about photo later]

with <disciple1> (flute) & <disciple2> (flute)

Day, Date, Time

Guests expected to attend include <governor, senator, etc>.

<Venue name> is located at <address>. For directions, and to purchase
tickets online, please visit <website>.

TICKETS are VIP, <price list> and will be available at the Box Office
(<phone#>). For VIP seating, and donating to aid Hurricane Katrina
survivors, please contact <Major Organizers>. We request that checks
be made payable to American Red Cross.

In collaboration with <list of organizations>. Media sponsor: <local
paper>. Special Thanks to <list of individuals>.

--------------11x17 Color Poster Ends--------


Finally, a question abut photograph: If I just import it into a Word
file, the picture looks distorted. Don't know if it screen effect or
real.

How can we find out what is the physical size of the photograph and
make it fit our poster without distortion?

The software I see includes Word, Apple Works, Preview, Graphic
Convertor.

Thanks

 

[NotMe]

Might get a bit more really useful help if you posted a valid contact point.

contact me back channel via brother_rabbit @ hotmail. com (remove spaces)

www.imagine-that.ws

http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/storms/katrina/24331220.jpg

Our place *was* in the lower right hand of the photo about 2/3 of the way
between the beach and the RR tracks. fortunately all of ours got out in
time.

| For a Hurricane Katrina aid event on a very short notice (a world
| famous artist will be in town and has agreed to perform), tt falls on a
| couple of newbies (who have only composed letters) to design a 11X17
| full-color poster to be printed at Kinko's or equivalent in a few days.
|
|
| People will forgive us if we botch it, but we want to do a respectable
| job. We have a mac, MS word, a file of artists' photograph. Other than
| that we are out of our depth here! This is an urgent appeal to all
| experts to help us decide basic design: the colors, fonts and sizes,
| etc.
|
| Here is the general structure if the text:
|
| --------------11x17 Color Poster Begins--------
|
| IN AID OF HURRICANE KATRINA SURVIVORS
|
| XY1 Foundation and YZ2 Academy present
|
| Flute Maestro
| <Main Artist>
|
| [Photo goes here? See a question about photo later]
|
| with <disciple1> (flute) & <disciple2> (flute)
|
| Day, Date, Time
|
| Guests expected to attend include <governor, senator, etc>.
|
| <Venue name> is located at <address>. For directions, and to purchase
| tickets online, please visit <website>.
|
| TICKETS are VIP, <price list> and will be available at the Box Office
| (<phone#>). For VIP seating, and donating to aid Hurricane Katrina
| survivors, please contact <Major Organizers>. We request that checks
| be made payable to American Red Cross.
|
| In collaboration with <list of organizations>. Media sponsor: <local
| paper>. Special Thanks to <list of individuals>.
|
| --------------11x17 Color Poster Ends--------
|
|
| Finally, a question abut photograph: If I just import it into a Word
| file, the picture looks distorted. Don't know if it screen effect or
| real.
|
| How can we find out what is the physical size of the photograph and
| make it fit our poster without distortion?
|
| The software I see includes Word, Apple Works, Preview, Graphic
| Convertor.
|
| Thanks

 

[Dave Balderstone]

For a Hurricane Katrina aid event on a very short notice (a world
famous artist will be in town and has agreed to perform), tt falls on a
couple of newbies (who have only composed letters) to design a 11X17
full-color poster to be printed at Kinko's or equivalent in a few days.

You'll find a lot of help in a hurry at the "Desktop Publishing Forum".
It's a relocation to the web of a large number of professionals who
used to use the DTP Forum on Compuserve back when CIS had value.

<http://www.desktoppublishingforum.com/>

Register, then post in the "Print Design & Layout" forum.

djb

 

[iehsmith]

For a Hurricane Katrina aid event on a very short notice (a world
famous artist will be in town and has agreed to perform), tt falls on a
couple of newbies (who have only composed letters) to design a 11X17
full-color poster to be printed at Kinko's or equivalent in a few days.


People will forgive us if we botch it, but we want to do a respectable
job. We have a mac, MS word, a file of artists' photograph. Other than
that we are out of our depth here! This is an urgent appeal to all
experts to help us decide basic design: the colors, fonts and sizes,
etc.

This disturbs me on a whole different level. This should have gone to one of
the many fine design firms from the stricken area ("NOT" speaking of
myself). What's on the minds of these organizers? Folks who appreciate the
region and its people for what and who we are should handle the creative. I
fear the Gulf Coast and New Orleans may face a whole new battle in
rebuilding, to recapture the essence of what makes us who we are, and not be
molded into some corperate idea of what we should be.

Newbie, I'm not writing this to put down your efforts. I wish you well. Just
do your best. Hopefully the cause is what will sell itself, so don't put too
much pressure on yourself. It's the organizers job to know how to promote
the event. If you want to contact me I'll do what I can to assist FREELY,
because it's aimed at helping my area. However, I don't have or use Word.
Contact (remove underscores): design_@_imag_essence.com


inez in Louisiana

 

[Newbie]

Newbie, I'm not writing this to put down your efforts. I wish you well. Just
do your best. Hopefully the cause is what will sell itself, so don't put too
much pressure on yourself. It's the organizers job to know how to promote
the event. If you want to contact me I'll do what I can to assist FREELY,
because it's aimed at helping my area. However, I don't have or use Word.
Contact (remove underscores): design_@_imag_essence.com

I understand how you feel, but everybody is doing their best, from the
options available to them. I will send you a mail.

 

[iehsmith]

I understand how you feel, but everybody is doing their best, from the
options available to them. I will send you a mail.

Certainly. I don't begrudge you your involvement. I'm sure the local
designers are hard to find at this point, many of them being based in the
heart of New Orleans and other areas hit. I hope they are safe and will
return to the area though.

I welcome your e-mail. I'll help in anyway I can.

inez