Context

To improve IMG's image, I created a large display poster for IMG that could be hung during orientations and presentations. This is an older poster (made apparent through the mention of WebCT, our previous Content Management system) that IMG does not use anymore, largely due to the migration from WebCT to Blackboard as well as internal staff changes. I would love to update the display poster for current use, but have not had the opportunity yet. The size requirements for the poster were 36 inches wide and an indefinite length. Since there was no specified limit for the length, I set the width to 36 inches in Photoshop and did not worry about length.

Audience

The poster's main audience was those mulling around at orientations, such as New Faculty Orientations for incoming faculty. The poster served as an eye-catching reference for those not sure of what the Instructional Multimedia Group offers at Auburn. These people were interested in learning more about everything available to them at Auburn University. However, since the poster was displayed at an orientation where time is a limiting factor, it also had to capture the attention and "sum up" what the IMG has to offer. The poster sat on the fence between advertisement and information. It both "[sold] a product or service through words and pictures" and "help[ed] readers accomplish their personal goals." (Schriver) The banner lured people over, acting as an advertisement, but once over, showed them how IMG may benefit their teaching career. The self-serving nature of advertisement was replaced once the person stood before it and discovered help was out there.

The authoritative audience for this project was a bit more difficult to please. The manager of IMG at the time had a more hands-off approach to leadership. I was given no instructions but to create a poster 36" wide and an indefinite length. After I completed a draft, he reviewed it and offered suggestions. After making the changes, he asked for things to be reverted to the original. However, experimentation leads to new, undiscovered avenues for document creation. Many times while working on a visual document, I will randomly apply different Photoshop filters, strokes, transformations, etc, and build from there. This is the case with the display poster as the structure of the poster was largely due to experimentation. For example, the organization of the images/text was initially accidental, but led to deliberate placement.

Process

The poster was separated into three main parts: heading, images, and text. The heading was simply a flashy way to get the attention of people walking by. It quickly defined IMG as the Instructional Multimedia Group, and also gave important contact information. The lines separated the headings from the text while leading the eye to the right.

The images were chosen as picture demonstrations of the services offered by IMG. The first picture showed a man helped by an IMG student worker. One of IMG's main roles is to assist faculty with technology in the classroom. The second image depicted a video conferencing class here at Auburn, useful for distance education courses. The third image was of a person working individually, but also with more advanced technology. IMG's lab can be used for over-the-shoulder support, but also as a place to work quietly, and with programs/equipment that may not be widely available. The final picture was a scene from Summer Academy, an annual intensive training program held every summer. The four images suggested the types of help available at IMG before anyone reads the text.

The text is split into three sections. The first section lists the structured help at IMG, either via in-person support through Summer Academy or seminars, or through online instructional material such as tipsheets. The second set of text included four of the most common tasks learned and performed at IMG. The final section listed the attributes IMG possesses in helping faculty with their tasks.

Reflections

My future plans include creating an updated display poster for orientations (if possible) as we currently do not have an effective display. If I am given the opportunity to update the poster, I would change a couple things on the outside. First, I would remove the IMG logo at the top right. I was asked to put that in by my supervisor, so (as a relatively new student employee) I put it in. The second change would be the blue bar on the left. I like the way In is separated by the rest (no significance why "in" is separated), but I don't like the rest of the blue bar. If it reached the top and bottom edge of the page, then it would be more effective, but as is, it seems to be cut off from the rest of the poster. However, it does serve as an eye catcher. It grabs the eye at the left of the poster, and then lines guide the eye to the right, through the media.

Although we don't use the poster anymore, I do believe it to be effective for the faculty orientations I attended. As I watched new faculty meander around the tables, I'd see them look at the poster, glance over the text, and then come talk to me about a specific item listed. The poster served as starting point, a way to draw faculty over to gather more information about IMG's services.