CLIENT: Seedco Policy Center
Challenge
We had been working with Seedco for several years on various projects when they approached us about their policy reports. It was a relatively new area for them and they wanted to leverage their experience in workforce development, poverty and housing to establish a national voice on policy related to those issues. They had formed a small policy department and had produced a few reports. Each report had a different look, and compared with the documents produced by leading think tanks, they lacked a level of sophistication that would establish credibility with legislators.
Solution
We set out to develop an overall format that they could use for all the reports. One of the challenges was that the topics were very different, and the length and types of charts varied with each report. Another issue was the fact that the reports covered issues from a high level perspective, and so using photos of specific cases would not represent the scope of the inquiry.
Our solution addressed all these needs.
1. Adaptable Cover Design. We created a handsome design for the covers that could accommodate different types of photos, from abstract to specific. Use of straight and angled lines present a sophisticated sensibility that unifies the reports while subtly reinforcing the shapes in Seedco’s logo. The background color of each cover changes to coordinate with the subject and photo being used while the overall palette fits with Seedco’s image.
2. Clear Headline System. We developed a 2 line headline system that includes a tag identifying the issue being covered (i.e. career advancement, workforce development), as well as a catchy headline for the report. The date and issuer (Seedco) is made very clear on the cover to acclimate the reader to the timeliness and perspective being offered.
3. Flexible Interior Format. We met the requirements the interior as well. We created a two column format with a margin for callouts or charts. So far, three reports have been produced successfully using this design — each with totally different content. One had a few bar graphs and lots of footnotes, one had maps and case studies, and the third had an abundance of different size charts.
Result
Seedco’s reports are now professional and consistent, clearly communicating the message, and helping to build their credibility as a voice to be taken seriously by policy makers.
Reports
A Tale of Two Systems: Linking Economic Development and Workforce Development
Initiatives aimed at linking economic development and workforce development have emerged across the country. In the coming years, initiatives are expected to multiply as part of national economic recovery and reinvestment efforts. In this report, the Seedco Policy Center analyzes such efforts in three states to detail opportunities and pitfalls encountered by linking the two systems.
Career Advancement
Publicly-funded workforce development policy has shifted the majority of resources over the past decade to helping disadvantaged job seekers find and keep jobs. Seedco offers a new report, examining the preliminary lessons from its career advancement pilot, EarnMore, which leverages existing public funding streams to create a client-focused and scalable model.
Links
- See other Seedco project: Promoting a Policy Report Briefing
- See other Seedco project: Career Guide Engages Teens
- See other Seedco project: Earnmore Materials Promote Career Advancement
- See other publications.
- Contact Red Rooster Group for help with your publication.
