Redesigned and modernized the Grey Eagles' annual newsletter for the Allied Pilots Association, transitioning the publication from QuarkXPress to Adobe InDesign and developing a new multi-page layout system.
Challenge
Shortly after joining the Allied Pilots Association (APA) as their designer, I was introduced to the editor of The Grey Eagles Newsletter, an annual publication produced in collaboration with the APA design team. The previous year’s newsletter had been created in QuarkXPress, and the initial plan was to follow the existing layout.
Shortly after joining the Allied Pilots Association (APA) as their designer, I was introduced to the editor of The Grey Eagles Newsletter, an annual publication produced in collaboration with the APA design team. The previous year’s newsletter had been created in QuarkXPress, and the initial plan was to follow the existing layout.
Approach
I recommended transitioning the project to Adobe InDesign, which is better suited for multi-page publications and allows for a refreshed, modern design. With no existing template to build from, I developed the overall visual direction, layout system, and typography.
I recommended transitioning the project to Adobe InDesign, which is better suited for multi-page publications and allows for a refreshed, modern design. With no existing template to build from, I developed the overall visual direction, layout system, and typography.
Solution
Over the next six months, I collaborated closely with the editor. He provided text, images, and video links for the publication. When the traditional welcome letter from the Grey Eagles president was delayed, I proactively designed alternate front and back cover concepts to ensure we had strong visual options ready for publication.
Over the next six months, I collaborated closely with the editor. He provided text, images, and video links for the publication. When the traditional welcome letter from the Grey Eagles president was delayed, I proactively designed alternate front and back cover concepts to ensure we had strong visual options ready for publication.
Impact
The final newsletter design received enthusiastic praise from the editor, the Grey Eagles president, and the Grey Eagles Board. The project successfully modernized the publication while maintaining the organization’s traditions and delivering a polished, professional final product.
The final newsletter design received enthusiastic praise from the editor, the Grey Eagles president, and the Grey Eagles Board. The project successfully modernized the publication while maintaining the organization’s traditions and delivering a polished, professional final product.
