Case Studies  
 
 


 

AISD Annual Report
This Annual Report was a first for the Austin Independent School District (AISD). AISD wanted a special edition of its quarterly newsletter to communicate to its audience the district’s achievements, challenges, successes, and goals over the last few years.
   One of our challenges was to make this special annual report issue different and exciting. Editorial and visual emphasis was placed on students, so the JMC Design team used large photos of real student models. While pull-quotes are not normally used within the newsletter, incorporating these into the Annual Report created a more dynamic look emphasizing the human element.
   The Texas Schools Public Relations Association recognized the Austin Insider Annual Report with a first place award in the category of "External Newsletter", as well as a top gold star award in the category of “Annual Report”. The International Association of Business Communicators also presented this Annual Report a Bronze Quill – Best of Austin award this year.
   Thanks AISD. We value our relationship. more
 

Jim Comer’s Book "Parenting Your Parents"
Our firm has designed bound books in the past, but not one destined to become nationally known, if not a bestseller. Jim Comer’s new book, Parenting Your Parents, is destined for Oprah’s eyes and that nameless editor at the New York Times! If you don’t believe us, ask Liz Carpenter.
   Perhaps the greatest challenge with this project was working with old photos that dated back to the 40s and 50s. With a little design magic, we were able to effectively capture the essence of the mood of each chosen photo.
   To the best of our knowledge, next to nothing exists in this particular genre of published works, and it was a privilege to design a compelling cover and interior layout for such a labor of love.
   Continuing success, Jim!

 

 

 

  

Congregation Beth Israel’s Gala Fundraiser
Congregation Beth Israel in Austin had a very special event planned to honor the temple’s senior rabbi on his 13th—or Bar Mitzvah—year of service and called upon JMC Design to develop the gala materials.
   The visual anchor for this event was an eye-catching custom illustration of the Star of David, which we created using bold colors and a very contemporary design.
   5000 invitations were mailed, and congratulations poured in from around the nation. The event sold out with 500 tickets, and the Temple exceeded its financial fund raising goal.
   We’re delighted this event was a success.
 
 

Austin Energy Postcard
How do you portray a recognizable cola can without violating trademark? With a change in color here and a lightning bolt there, we were able to create a recognizable, but generic, cola can image that would effectively communicate Austin Energy’s Energy Savers offer.
   Austin Energy wanted a direct mail postcard to promote the Energy Savers offered through its Commercial Program—a Vending Miser device for soft drink machines, and a LED retrofit kit for Exit Signs. A good direct mail piece is bold, easy to grasp, and memorable in order to stand out in the midst of every other piece of mail we are bombarded with. It also must have a call-to-action to generate response.
   This project had really tight deadlines, and Austin Energy customers responded quickly. The Commercial Programs department reported being inundated with inquiries making for a successful direct mail effort.

 

 

TML’s Texas Town and City Magazine
The travel issue of Texas Town and City magazine is always fun for our designers because they can be especially creative. Since re-designing the overall look of this magazine last year, the covers have had a much bolder look, and this one was no exception. Texas Municipal League provided us with Texas vintage postcards from a private collection, which made the cover of this issue simply spectacular.
   Writers from all over the state contribute to the magazine, and the travel issue presents a different set of design challenges due to the broad spectrum of travel topics discussed. We utilized stock art, writer portraits, destination images from city collections, special type fonts, and graphs. All elements were brought together into a cohesive design, and TML was very happy with our approach.
   Great teamwork makes a great magazine. Thanks TML!		  

 
Texas State Teachers Association Magazine
We got a call—an email actually—from the editor of the Texas State Teachers Association magazine, the Advocate, asking for help with a feature article and front cover. The magazine was going to press in less than three weeks.
   Our staff always takes a client’s deadline seriously. With our years of experience with publication design and layout, we delivered a sharp feature article layout with complementary front cover by deadline – no problems.
   We’re looking forward to working with TSTA on their next magazine issue.
 
 
   


Texas Pharmacy Association Branding Campaign
Working on a comprehensive campaign can be challenging, yet when we’re called upon to create a slogan, what fun – because the writers in our firm get to play word games. Before the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) settled on “Invest Today. Prosper Tomorrow.”, we generated several pages of possible word combinations. Great fun for us wordsmiths. Really.
   In addition to coming up with a campaign slogan, JMC Design created a campaign logo, and several icons for individual categories within the TPA Investment Program. A new web site is now up and running.more
   TPA offers five different investment opportunities under one umbrella, and communicating all this information to its members has been a challenge. With the new logo, slogan, and category icons, TPA can effectively differentiate its product offerings with ease and confidence.
   We’re confident, too, at JMC Design that the new look of this branding campaign will work for TPA for years.

 

 
 
 


 

TML’s Texas Town and City magazine
Our firm has produced the Texas Town and City magazine for about five years. It’s a monthly publication sent out to the Texas Municipal League’s member cities and towns throughout Texas. Over the years, design improvements have taken a back seat to meeting monthly deadlines.
    With this issue, we gave this magazine a new look that is cleaner, bolder and better organized. Stock photos and illustrations utilized in the new design are a quick and inexpensive way to dress-up articles.
    The client is happy with this fresh new image for Texas Town and City. In previous years TML has produced this magazine with their in-house design staff. Outsourcing to our firm has proven to be a cost and time effective solution. It's great to be working together. Thank you TML! more
   
 

Southwestern @ Georgetown magazine
Our firm has been fortunate to provide creative services to Southwestern University in Georgetown
for more than 14 years – making SU one of our
most longstanding clients.
   Over the years, this quarterly has evolved from
a simple two color magazine to one allowing four
color process.
   Our creative team always has complemented
the Southwestern publication staff who provide the written text and arrange for photography. We work closely with SU to bring the right design flair as well
as technical production capabilities for offset printing to each magazine.
   This publication is never static. This issue marks again a new evolution with design and layout improvements facilitated through the close working relationship with SU’s publication department. Great teamwork makes a great magazine! more

  
   
 
TMAIT Website
Website design continues to evolve. In 20 years of business, our creative firm has been known for quality design in print media. Only within the last five years has internet media design become a part of our services.
   Five years ago, anybody and everybody was designing websites making it very hard for a quality creative firm such as ours to compete. Now we find that we are being sought for our skills not only for aesthetic design, but for real workable solutions. We’re happily fixing those previously mediocre websites!		  
    The difference we offer? Our websites communicate! Not only are they visually appealing, but we have the knowledge to make them a functional and productive marketing tool for our clients.
   TMAIT’s website is one recent example of a comprehensive marketing solution for a client. All print collateral, tradeshow booths, as well as new website, are coordinated in approach and appearance. All images are professional and dynamic. We have the Chrisman Group to thank for sharing this client with us. more		  
   
 

TSUS Campaign
The Texas State University System chose to work with our creative firm after a competitive interview process with other competing firms.
   TSUS wanted a new coordinated image. As part of this client marketing campaign, we developed a new logo, a comprehensive overview brochure which highlights each of the TSUS member colleges, and we designed and setup their new website.
   All facets of TSUS marketing are now consistent – bringing a professional image to this organization. more

  
 

 
  AISD Teacher Recruitment Campaign
How do you recruit new teachers
to a school system? AISD wanted to "stand out from the crowd" at teacher recruiting fairs. A unique accordion fold recruiting brochure was kept simple and colorful. An added plus: a miniature informational CD tips into the brochure. This tabletop tradeshow display was designed to complement the brochure. Both contribute to make AISD look sharp when new prospective teachers approach AISD representatives. more		  
   
  TMAIT Annual Report
Can you do this report quickly? This question is hard to answer when designing an annual report due to the fact that developing most annual reports is a long and tedious procedure.
   We worked with our colleagues the Chrisman Group, who developed the written text. Images were kept affordable by using stock photo resources. The turnaround time was approximately one month from the beginning to the delivery of the printed report. We do our very best to come through on those time pinches when necessary. The client was very happy – and that’s what counts! more		  
 

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