Chapter . Make a theme: A simple graphic can provide a focal point, color, and continuity.

Mental illness is not the topic that springs brightly to mind when we think of children. Giggles, love, and happy play are more like what we imagine. The goal of mental health care is to make those positive images a reality, even for a sick child.

With that in mind, San Antonio’s Southwest Mental Heath Center (SMHC) had a low-budget wish—lift the depressing grayness from its brochure, and give its difficult subject a sense of lightness and hope along with real clarity. Key to the makeover was a little butterfly that could provide the focal point, color, and continuity the design needed.

Before

Not quite designedThree-panel brochure is the office workhorse, ...

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