Deconstructing Brief + Client Presentation

 'Develop a supporting infographics leaflet for the ‘rail trails’ project' 

Client: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (WCRP)

Project is a collaboration between University of Worcester and Worcestershire Ramblers, trails are new walking routes that link railway stations in the region.

'allow users to explore the Worcestershire countryside in a healthy way on foot while using sustainable travel on regional railways too.' - Focus on eco and health.

Overarching infographic brochure/leaflet requested that not only promotes 'rail trails' but directs users to more information online about individual routes etc.

'Primary audience:  Regional walkers, UK walking groups, tourists, rail visitors to the area'

'Secondary audience: Communities within close proximity to stations in the region'

Elements requested for brochure:

• 'Simplified' re-design of line map for WCRP
• 2x individual sub-line maps within given region (Cotswold and Malvern Line and The Wyre Valley Line)
• QR codes to take users to website which'll feature expansive info on each walk route sheet and downloadable link.
• 3 or more photos/illustrations appropriate to project.
• Key logos
• One other visual idea or image gained when researching in project.

Who are the WCRP? (Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership)

• Established to enable local communities to work with the three train operating companies to improve the 18 stations within the county.
• Aims are to 'engage' with communities, 'improve station facilities' and 'encourage' support for rail use.
• Also to 'encourage' 'Station Adoption Groups' to enhance station environments as well as building 'local pride' in the facilities, improving accessibility through sustainable travel plans whilst supporting links between local businesses and stations.
• 'At its heart, community rail connects communities, schools, businesses, charities and organisations in enhancing and improving local rail services.' - Connecting people.

What do they want/expect?

• WCRP has a set logo but is open to experimentation surrounding typefaces and colours, must be clear, legible and accessible.
• Colours that are more 'natural' and communicate the feeling of rail travel being a safe and 'green' method of transport.
• Designed for A3 page, however must consider how it could be scaled down for web. 
• User testing on those that would take advantage of this project.
• Good information design techniques in terms of layout, colour, type, hierarchy and diagrams.

What do they not want?

• Must be accessible and tasteful, no slang or comical moments as this could be taken literally.
• Map mustn't be overcrowded.

Things to consider

What are other communities doing?

How will the leaflet be carried or stored, how will it be displayed?

What context surrounding the countryside will be important to include?

What information will be beneficial for users to have via qr such as train times.

A guide on how to make the most out of leaflet? (like TEME valley)

Information about each location or Worcestershire as a region? (for tourists AND locals?)

Sustainable prints/material choice?

Presentation notes

Sustainability

Long length of routes targets the publication mainly at keen walkers or tourists to the area. This may determine what information I include on the map.

Try and identify other groups that would be interested in walking that they wouldn't of thought about?

Region + 2 sample sub-routes, great malvern - Honeybourne and Foregate street - Stourbridge (Hagley)

Consider ways of folding leaflet with audience/client in mind.

Can use lorem ipsum

The Worcestershire Rail Trails

References to diagrams of routes and QR codes are supplied in assets folder.

Consider how other sub-routes could be added to leaflet.

No signs on ground - map or digital map is the only source of directions - must be legible enough.

Guide sheet features line illustration.

Height profile

http://rail-trails.blogspot.com

Roughs - 20th feb

Prototypes - 20th March

Peer assessment - 17th April

Final submission - 24th April, 3pm

Design Boards and 1500 word reflective report.

New concept. Normally charge for book and map, this is all free

As a gateway to website for maps, not necessarily lots of maps and diagrams within the 

Attention

Interact

Design

Action

Funnel into website

 Not a huge focus on logos.

Go to train station and see what tourist information they have there - leaflet wise.

Could be stored in hotels, council office etc also.

Look into what has already been done with online cyclist maps etc.             

To Research

Competitors doing similar things

Where way finding has been used successfully for something similar

Layout/composition success

Context on the areas included, could have impact on design style.

How to show sustainability through aesthetics.