Sometimes the most impactful design projects arise from modest beginnings. Recently, I had the privilege of working on a small catalog project for a group of dedicated Sisters who manage bookstores and publish materials for a religious order. Targeting the vibrant and diverse Hispanic community, this project yielded successful results at a recent conference.
Meeting the Challenge
The Sisters recognized the growing potential within the Hispanic community and urgently required a promotional tool for an upcoming conference. What started as a simple pamphlet or flyer evolved into an impressive 8-page catalog. The deadline was soon and the question was posed: “are you available to work on this right away?” My answer: a resounding yes—I was ready for the challenge.
Collaborative Efficiency
Working with the Sisters was a pleasure, thanks to their exceptional organization. They provided book cover photos, edited bilingual text, and a hand-drawn rough layout. Their proactive approach allowed me to quickly create a visually appealing catalog that aligned with their objectives.
Strategic Design and Layout
Drawing inspiration from a catalog sample the Sisters admired, I developed a 2-column format with the book cover on the left and bilingual text on the right. Adhering to their graphic standards, we used NotoSans condensed bold for Spanish book titles, clearly distinguishing them from their English counterparts.
Cohesive Branding
The front cover of the catalog conveyed a warm and inviting message, featuring an image of a Hispanic mom and daughter reading together. A red banner, strategically placed at the top, identified the product as “Spanish Catholic Books,” creating immediate recognition.
Engaging Call to Action
The front cover didn’t stop at aesthetics—it prompted a bilingual call to action – “Order now” – along with relevant website information, making it easy for potential customers to explore further. The back cover showcased two new books and prominently displayed contact details for order placements.
Success Beyond Expectations
The feedback from the Sisters was overwhelmingly positive.
“Good morning! It was an immense blessing to be able to share the catalog with Hispanics who came to our booth who willingly took it, as they wanted to be able to reach out in the future to us. … During the Conference (having a catalog really helped) we received requests from 4 new booksellers to establish an account with us. The catalog is light, beautiful and clear. Many people were grateful for the clarity of contact info, and a number of people commented on how attractive (and easy to carry) it is. You will be hearing from us again!
Conclusion
It’s not always the scale of the project but the meaningful impact it creates. This small catalog project for the Sisters not only met their immediate needs but exceeded expectations, leaving a lasting impression on their target audience and fostering meaningful connections.
