Graphic Design That Works

Text (DS)

Job:12-84823 Title:RP-Graphic Design That Works

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the abraham lincoln presidential

library and museum foundation

Promoting a Legacy

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

project was in need of funding. To approach potential

donors, a brochure was created to excite and provide

information about the new endeavor that was to be erected

in downtown Springfield, Illinois. “The total funding needed

for the museum and library is $115 million,” shares creative

director Jim Gobberdiel. “It’s an opportunity for corporate

sponsors to be connected with a project of this caliber. It

will also give everyone an opportunity to have a real look

at Lincoln’s life and legacy.” Because the project was a

massive undertaking, it was important that the brochure

communicate a sense of confidence that the endeavor

would indeed be completed. “The quality and content of the

brochure needed to convince people that this is a doable

objective,” adds Gobberdiel. “The brochure needed to solidify

the idea that the project is really going to happen.” The

distinguished-looking design has several unique touches—

a blind embossed and debossed title seal on the cover, a

custom-designed font called Illinois Palatino, and various

storytelling illustrations.

The historic-looking brochure commences with an overview

of the project and the universal appeal of Lincoln. It continues

by highlighting the economic benefits such a project would

bring to the state of Illinois and the scholarly potential it

would offer the world. “There has been no central museum

to convey and expand upon the legacy of Abraham Lincoln,”

notes Gobberdiel. “Within the brochure, we discuss the

three major components of the project—the museum, the

library, and the tourism center. From there, we talk about

all of the facilities and exhibitions and the multitude of

programs.” The brochure concludes with various funding

options. Inserts, located in the back pocket, are used as a

cost-effective way to present items that would change over

time, like schedules and naming opportunities.

CLIENT:

The Abraham Lincoln

Presidential Library and Museum

Foundation is raising funds to

construct a world-class destination

for scholars and the public alike.

FIRM:

Stan Gellman Graphic Design, Inc.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR:

Jim Gobberdiel, Jim Gobberdiel

Communications

ART DIRECTOR:

Barry Tilson

DESIGNERS:

Barry Tilson and

Michael Donovan

ILLUSTRATORS:

BRC Imagination Arts Inc. and Art

Associates Inc. (architectural)

FONT DESIGN:

Tom Carnase

COPYWRITER:

John Fundator

ABOVE: The small-format brochure

is produced with a four-page

cover that is doubled over and

pasted to give it strength and

stability. A title seal is both blind

embossed and debossed on Fraser

Passport 80-lb. cover stock to

add texture and presidential

appeal to the piece.

Graphic Design That Works

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Text (DS)

Job:12-84823 Title:RP-Graphic Design That Works

(NEW)

175# Dtp:22 Page:237

NEW)

e:236

ABOVE: The interior pages discuss

the overall theme,

Expanding the

Legacy

. To give the piece a historic

look, each spread is printed on

natural Nekoosa Solutions 100-lb.

text stock in four-color process

plus two PMS colors. The insert

sheets are designed to be separate

as a cost-effective way to update

information without having to

reprint the entire brochure.

What Works

In addition to capturing the look and feel of the Lincoln

era in a clean and sophisticated format, the fundraising

brochure was able to communicate the importance of

preserving the legacy of the former president. The overall

quality and strength of the content helped corporations

feel confident about donating money to this new venture

in Illinois.

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