As we’ve mentioned before let me recap by saying, every design we create serves a purpose. Is it up to us to determine that purpose? Or does each piece innately have a purpose? I think there is truth in both. Our job is to amplify the innate purpose for each piece. Confused? Don’t stay that way, let’s examine one of the pieces we create on an everyday basis and the function they should serve.

Letterhead.

In today’s digital society does letterhead even still have a place in the industry? I believe so. A traditional formal letter still has it’s importance and uses. Businesses use letterhead for Thank Yous and other otherwise “form” letters that they must send out. It’s also useful for subtly reminding your customers or constituents that you still exist and what services you offer. Wait? Can it really do this? Yes.

Let’s jump ahead and look at some of the things you might want to include on your letterhead:

Remember, you can’t possible include EVERYTHING. So you’ll have to pick and choose:

Letterhead Checklist

Here are some of the many details you might include on your next letterhead design.

PEOPLE
Name of person (Nickname)
Title
Affiliations
Professional/academic designations

PLACE
Pronunciation of unusual names
Department/division name
Organization street address
Floor/suite/mail stop
Alternate P.O. box address
City/state/state abbreviation
Zip+four/postal code
Country
Home street address

COMMUNICATION
Voice phone/extension number
Toll-free phone number
Mobile phone number
Pager number
Fax phone number
Home phone number
E-mail address
Web site address

DETAILS
Office hours
Time zone
Map/directions

ORIENTATION
Name of organization
Mission statement/business description
Product/service categories
Resource info
Special offer
Invitation
Illustration/photo
Logo
Organizational affiliations
Sponsorships

Once you’ve determined WHAT you’re going to include, try to think about ways to include it that will make a statement!

Have you designed Letterhead you’re proud of? Email them to me, and I’ll showcase them in an upcoming post with links back to your site!
For today, let’s look at some recent letterheads I’ve designed for clients and personal use:

Download Today’s BookMark. Don’t miss my #365 Design Everyday. Smashing Magazine issued a challenge to designers for the new year, and I’m on board! I tried to decide what type of design I’d want to do and could stretch my boundaries as a designer. So in answer to this Challenge, I will be designing and posting a new Bookmark design each day on this blog. The Designs will link to a downloadable PDF that you can feel free to download, print out and share as desired.

Bookmark This!

Here are some of the winners in the individual categories!

Yakez Wilson

Bethany Shearer

Betsy Baehrer

Elizabeth Fouke

Faith Dunbar

Julie Snowden

Faith Dunbar

Ryan Johanningmeir

Kristin Threadgill

Natalie Sullivan

Ramond Walker

Rachel McGoldrick

Ramond Walker

Sarah Blodgett

Sherman Merchant

Bookmark This!

For those of you who are still scurrying to get your entries finished and entered, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that the competition will be closing in 15 DAYS! Don’t wait till the last minute to get your entries finished!

In case you don’t remember, you can read all the details of the competition here.

To get you thinking in the right direction, here are a few more sample Identity Packages you should check out! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Happy Creating!

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Below are some incredible stationary packages, that I found in a Flickr pool. Enjoy!

I trust these have served as an inspiration to you! Happy designing!

Bookmark This!

Tell me which ones you like best!

Information on the left hand side.

Information in the upper left hand corner. 

 Information in the upper left hand corner. 

Information pasted onto the letterhead, top center.  

 Information in the upper right hand corner. 

Information in the upper right hand corner and along the lower right.

Information along the top and left hand side.

Information along the top and left hand side.

Bookmark This!