How to make various types of media

These are practical hands-on trainings where you learn the theories and principles of making your own media projects. They cover step-by-step instructions for how to make high-impact educational and public campaigning materials and guidance for making communication tools like brochures, flyers, newsletters, advertisements, logos, business cards, letterheads, PowerPoints, websites and blogs.

You can design your own training by selecting the modules that suit your needs the most or contact me to discuss a customized training package.

Also have a look at the companion modules to see if there are other components that would suit your training needs: The theories and practices of effective print media design  •  Facilitating community education media events  •  Managing your media project effectively

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Campaigning materials

		Posters Posters need to be designed for quick pass-by reading, so they need to grab attention. Learn how to design posters to: Raise awareness about an issue Provide simple technical information Advertise an event (date, time, venue)
		Short publications: brochures, flyers etc Brochures, handouts, flyers and fact sheets can serve many functions, but the process of creating them is the same. They can be helpful to Explain an organization, project, issue, or technique Give more information about issues that have been introduced with posters, T-shirts, etc Promote projects, events, services, activities, etc
		Banners and murals Banners and murals can provide a great opportunity to do participatory media projects with local communities, schools, etc. See further section on ‘Making media with communities and schools’ for more details. They can Build public appreciation for important issues Educate and inspire people Beautify indoor or outdoor public spaces
		T-shirts T-shirts with designs printed on them can be a great campaigning tool. T-shirts can be useful to Promote an organization Raise awareness about an issue Commemorate key days, people, or events. For example, ‘Disaster Preparedness Day’ Make a statement. For example, ‘Saving our forests will save our communities’
		PowerPoint presentations Using PowerPoints when making presentations can help to Focus the attention of an audience Emphasize and illustrate key points Help people understand through both visual and audio messages Make information easier to understand Reduced the amount of time you need to spend giving verbal explanations

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Public relations materials

		Logo, business cards and letterheads Logos are symbols that are used to represent an organization, program, campaign, event etc. A logo may be used for many years and will often be the first impression that people have about your organization, program, campaign, or event that it represents. Making an effective logo is not easy and logo design is considered to be one of the most challenging design projects there is by many graphic designers.
		Longer publications: reports, newsletters etc Well-designed newsletters, magazines, and reports can help to keep your supporters and other stakeholders interested and involved in your work. This is because they help keep everyone within and involved in your organization informed about what is going on. By producing regular newsletters or informative reports you will help readers feel that there is good, honest, and open communication between the organization and them.  Newsletters can also be useful for informing people about activities, events, and trainings you recommend or are offering.
		Basic websites and blogs Websites and blogs, if well designed, can be great tools for Promoting activities, vision, and mission Explaining programs or activities Sharing teaching and training aids Posting photos and films for public viewing Compiling a mailing list of people that are interested in your activities that you can contact about special events
		Advertisements Advertisements (sometimes called ads) are generally made to sell or promote something. Therefore, if advertisements are well designed, they should result in increased interest in whatever is being promoted, and action by the reader as suggested in the ad. A lot of advertisements are not very effective, and therefore they don’t get the result that they set out to achieve. How can you avoid this problem?