It’s time to plan the design materials and theme for your next ministry event, or maybe even for the ministry as a whole. Where do you turn for ideas and inspiration? Pinterest, maybe? While I love Pinterest, I also value having a hard copy of materials. There is something to be said about feeling the paper between your fingers and viewing the colors up close and personal. Therefore, this week’s tip is to keep a samples folder nearby to turn to when you need inspiration.
Where do you find samples?
All types of samples likely come across your desk or in your mailbox on a regular basis. You just don’t see them as a sample yet. Before you toss a flyer or advertisement in the trash, get in the habit of asking yourself a few questions:
- Do I like the color scheme?
- Is there a font being used that catches my eye?
- Is the information organized in an easy-to-read fashion?
- Does this piece deliver a message effectively?
If the answer to any of these questions is a yes, then put it in your sample folder.
Another way to gather samples is to be on the lookout when you are out and about. Maybe it’s a restaurant to-go menu or a flier at your favorite coffee shop. When you visit another church, go to their information center to see how their ministries present their information. When you start looking, you’ll be sticking samples in your purse on a regular basis.
Now, what?
Once you have a good stash of samples, it’s a great idea to put together a system of organizing your samples. This will help when you’re looking for a sample registration form instead of a sample poster layout. Some common categories could include color schemes, event posters, registration forms, Bible Study, fonts, papers and then a miscellaneous for those items that you love but don’t fit into a specific category.
Before you know it, you’ll have a file full of organized samples to inspire you at just the right moment. And the next time you are looking for that perfect color scheme or font, you’ll be ready!
What’s your favorite way to find color and design inspiration for ministry materials?
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