Warehouse appeal
Using actual items
characteristic of a
client’s industry is a
trademark of designer
John Sayles,
who created this brochure
for the Greater
Des Moines Chamber
of Commerce. Designed to promote
the city’s warehousing
and distribution attributes,
the brochure
has a corrugated cardboard
cover bound
with bolts, washers,
and wing nuts. A diecut arrow in
the corrugated material
surrounds type
that tells the recipient
“It’s Your Move,”
while reinforcing the
industrial/warehouse
look of the mailing.
Each spread features
a colorful label with a
different warehousing
message—from “Do
Not Double Stack” to
“Made in U.S.A.”
A perforated reply
card is also included.
When mailed, the
piece was held closed
with box tape marked
“Do Not Inventory.”
Sayles chose materials
like labels and shipping
tags for the project
because they’re
used in actual warehousing
operations;
corrugated cardboard
and manila tagboard
are commonly found
in the heavy-duty settings
of warehouse
and distribution. “The
people who receive
this mailing can relate
because they see
these materials every
day,” he says.
Manila shipping tags
are tipped in, featuring
testimonials from
various distribution
company executives.
About the author Sheree Clark is managing partner
of Sayles Graphic
Design in Des Moines,
Iowa; an author and
speaker on organizational
and business
issues; and owner of
Art/Smart Consulting,
which provides selfpromotion
and business
strategies to
creative professionals.
