We’ve taken an interesting brief this week…from an MP.  Design and publish a constituency newsletter  to go out to over 45,000 households.  There’s plenty of content and imagery to work with – this MP’s an especially busy first-termer from the “class of 2010” so there’s no problem there….

My issue is however one of perception. Funding has been privately raised for the project –  neither our client’s constituency association nor political party provide any financial budget (to our surprise) but 45,000 constituent households won’t know that. Infact the logical assumption is that it has been centrally funded and therefore paid for by the taxpayer…

So the challenge is to produce a contemporary, accessible newsletter design that speaks to the constituents yet also presents the subject matter – an energetic 41 year old MP who is shaking things up a little bit – in an informal and friendly manner. However, to over –design it and ignore some standard community newsletter characteristics – those of cheerful economy of production – we risk, I think, drawing criticisms of style over substance. Such is an MP’s lot in life.

With only 2 days to go why not get organised with some entertainment for the kids (and the creative grown ups). Everybody loves crafts at this time of year, us included. So download Hannah and  Stan and get those pencils, scissors and glue on the go. They make great table place markers and baubles… have a look at some that we’ve done already.