Layout for the ASCA
While rehearsing with Jane Franklin in Shirlington, VA, I happened to meet an Arlington County employee who spends half his hours as the county’s liaison to the Arlington Sister City Association. The guy was needing to hire someone to do layout, and I jumped on it.
The ASCA is a member association, and in addition to their website, they wanted some printed collateral materials that would reach potential membership, and help their membership engage. A minor investment in layout expense was seen as leveraging all of the work/activities reported on in the newsletter. The contract was for a simple, professional, black and white 8.5 x 11 layout, delivered as printable pdf.
When we made the contract we specified up to 4 issues within one year at a flat rate. We didn’t specify the number of pages, how materials would be delivered, or when they would be delivered. The sample newsletter I was given (the thing I was hired to upgrade) was six printed sides. When I got the content for the first issue it was clear it would be impossible to do in less than 12 sides. For the next one it was 16 sides. For the one after 12. Understanding that each page of layout require a certain amount of time, I got pretty hosed with the contract, though I know not on purpose. If you click on the cover image to the left you can see a pdf of one of the newsletters.
I’ve gotten very positive feedback on the quality of the upgrade I delivered, and the Association has since hired me to produce additional graphics (save the dates, and invitations), so I’m pleased with that.
I know that part of the value they receive with my layout work is the time I spent with their images. I worked every printed image – tweaking levels, cropping, and fixing photographic malignancies that marred some of the images (before I got to them.) This shows nicely in the final printed copies.
As a freelancer I’ve learned that really nailing down the technical specifications for each component – including delivery dates for required materials – is helpful in ensuring peaceful completion of the scope of work.
