Creative Brochure Design Accents

Creative brochure designs require the ability to envision a project in new, fresh, and sometimes unusual ways. If a client comes to you and says they want a brochure like no one has ever seen to promote their brand with, it can be intimidating since just about everything has been done before. But that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of creative brochure design accents to add a spark to tried-and-true brochure design themes. Chances are, your clients will love the following creative brochure design accents.

Foil stamp

Perhaps the most well-known, yet also most underused, brochure design accent is the foil stamp. Foil stamps can be used to give impression of a gilded edge, to add elegance and class by outlining text and shapes, and to add flair by filling text and shapes. Foil stamps are available in a variety of colors so they can match just about any design motif.

Die cuts

Die cuts aren't just used to outline the overall shape of brochures. For a creative brochure design, try infusing die cuts with cut-outs inside your design panels. You can use them as part of your marketing “reveal,” showing just a little bit of the picture on the next panel through the die-cut window and then demonstrating how your product or service is different and better once the panel is flipped over.

A new fold

When clients come to you seeking a brochure, what immediately comes to mind? A tri-fold? That's what most companies print. But you can instantly stand apart by employing folds less often used: a half fold, a double-parallel fold, a right-angle half fold, or a z-fold, for example. Don't be afraid to run your content over your folds, either. Too many brochures are made up of tiny, constricting panels that do not serve the purpose of the company as well as they should. Charts, graphs, photos, and even text can make the panel jump so long as they're easy to read after folding.

Symbols, lines, and shapes

Finally, you can dress up your creative brochure designs with symbols, lines, and shapes. The trick with these design accents is to be subtle and not overbearing. Watermarks work. So does placing symbols in the corners or in the middle footers of your panels. You can use solid or dotted lines in various hues and levels of transparency to separate important elements. Background shading and borders are perfect for charts, graphs, and information boxes that are apart from the rest of your content.

When brainstorming creative brochure designs, it's OK to check out other designers to see what they've done; but at the same time you shouldn't be afraid to break the mold and create something new. With a bit of inspiration and the tips mentioned here, you should be able to develop a compelling and truly original creative brochure design your clients – and their customers – will love.