4" x 9" brochures

The 4" x 9" brochure format is one of the most versatile print communication options. The brochure can open to just two inside panels or expand to four or more, depending on the amount of content required. This size brochure easily fits into a standard business envelope for mailing, can be placed in most brochure racks, and can be carried in a coat pocket, purse, or bag. It is important that all brochures designed for university units follow all of the guidelines within the Iowa State University visual identity system.

Covers

Shown here is a variety of 4" x 9" brochure covers. Note how the university nameplate is prominently displayed at the top of each brochure, with the department, college, unit, or affiliate name properly located immediately below. This consistent placement provides a unified appearance and allows the identifying information to remain visible if the brochure is placed in a rack.

The red band across the top of the brochures, though not required, is suggested to establish immediate recognition via the red color and to create a prominent area for the nameplate and unit name that does not compete with other elements on the page. Prominence has less to do with being large, and more to do with placement in an uncluttered location. The band is 1 1/8" deep.

All of the colors used are from the university's color palettes. All of the copy is set in fonts from the ITC Berkeley and univers type families. Note how full-bleed photographs can be used as well as multiple smaller images or photo collages. The titles are short, allowing them to be set at a large point size to clearly communicate the message. If additional title information is necessary, it is set at a smaller point size above or below the primary title.

Interior layouts

The design for the inside of a 4"x9" brochure will vary greatly, depending on the amount and type of content being presented. This contrast is illustrated here by two 4-panel brochures.

The top example uses a simple grid structure. The subheads (14 point univers black), introductory paragraph (14 point ITC berkeley), and secondary subheads (10 point ITC Berkeley bold help organize the text, which is set in 10 point ITC Berkeley with 13 points of space between each line. To provide continuity from the front of the brochure to the inside, the red band of color that was used on the cover is continued onto the top of the inside panels. The width of the band has been reduced to 1/8".

The bottom example organizes several layers of information: headline (60 point univers black), introductory paragraph (18 point univers medium), photos with captions (10 point univers light oblique). Bands of color also help organize the information, including an additional layer of text carried across the bottom of the page, reversed out of the red bar. This example effectively uses color, typography, and a mix of photo sizes to efficiently and professionally communicate its message.

The university nameplate with an appropriate themeline, determined by the publication's audience, should be used to anchor the back of the brochure. To determine the correct themeline for your brochure, see the Themeline section of the visual identity sytem.