Essential Graphic Design Skills

Prevent wasting your efforts trying to secure employment in fields you are not qualified for. Knowing what employers are looking for and the demonstrable skills you must possess will help you land your dream job as a graphic designer.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about graphic design and a list of skills you should possess when applying for employment as a graphic designer.

What Are Graphic Design Skills

Graphic design could be generally defined as visual communication. Graphic design skills efficiently blend together a creative and practical understanding of multiple elements that form a specific means of communication.

Skills Required for Graphic Designers

In our visually saturated world, even the idea of applying for a new or better job as a graphic designer will require you to use all of the essential skills that make you a graphic designer in the first place. Here are some of the skills that employers consider most valuable when hiring a graphic designer:

Creativity

Creativity is one of, if not the most important graphic designer skills. It's hard to develop new ideas and innovative designs if you don't know how to fully utilize your creative resources. Having a creatively visual eye is fundamental no matter what medium you work in.

Communication

Understanding what your client wants from a design project is key to creating a successful product. In today's digital age, where everyone is individually focused on their phone screens and electronic devices, many business owners don't know how to talk to theseclients. Thus, being able to listen well, process feedback, and explain design elements—without losing your audience or getting too technical will provide you with a significant advantage.

Strategy

Strategy is an essential skill for most jobs but becomes increasingly relevant for designers. First, designers need to develop a strategy for how they tackle a brief. For every brief they work on, designers should have a readymade strategy in place to make the process as efficient as it can be.

Problem Solving

As well as being a fundamental life skill, problem-solving is actually a crucial part of what a graphic designer does in their day-to-day working life. Problems for graphic designers come in the form of customer feedback/requests for alterations, and the problem solving appears when you come up with appropriate revisions.

Adobe's Creative Apps

Experience using technology is already a fundamental graphic design skill. Knowing how to use Adobe's creative software - specifically Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is a base requirement for the majority of available graphic design jobs.

Presentation Delivery

Graphic designers are essentially storytellers. So, the ability to take complex data and present it in a clear, understandable way to customers, clients, and others will make you a significantly more valuable employee.

Typography

Typography is a fundamental part of any graphic design skills list. When we say typography, we’re referring to any skills related to typography that a graphic design may use - from picking the right font for a project to really getting into the fine details of typesetting with alignment, kerning, and leading.

Designing for Print

Your ability to make written language legible and appealing possesses more importance today than any other period. Even the most novice of designers should be well-versed in the two types of printing, offset and digital. They should be familiar with the terminology associated with printing (bleed, crop, fold marks) and print production (ink limits, dot gain, and transparency).

In addition, aspiring graphic designers should be familiar with paper sizes established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which developed the ISO 216 and was adopted by many countries as a standard. Paper sizes range from A0 to A10. Though, designers should be aware that these standards aren’t commonly used in the USA. Instead, legal, letter, executive, tabloid, or ledger sizes are used. A designer must also understand and know how to choose appropriate paper weights, paper stocks, and embellishments. For more reading on paper options, read clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/paper-quality-and-type/

Coding Knowledge

You will not be required to be a coding expert for most graphic design jobs, a basic understanding of HTML, however, is important as it teaches you how to understand the work that is invested into creating and building a website.

Interactive Media

Interactive forms of media include design products that actively engage users through mediums such as text, moving images, animation, video, audio, or even video games. You should be exposing yourself to as many different types of media as you can.

Branding

This business skill is critical for graphic designers. Indeed, to understand/comprehend a client's needs, you must first understand their brand.

Branding is a fundamental part of graphic design and there are entire agencies devoted just to branding. For that reason, it’s a vital skill for a graphic designer to possess. A brand, put simply, is a set of ideas a company or its products represents in people’s minds.

Read more about what graphic designers make, the different software they use, and some pro portfolio tips at clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/graphic-designer-salary-software-portfolio-tips/

Graphic Design Skills Needed to Be A Designer

In this article, you discovered information about graphic design and the skills you will need when applying for that new or better employment opportunity as a graphic designer.

When you unite the multiple skills required for graphic design, you increase your value to the work market and significantly decrease the chance of being unemployed for any substantial time.

Poor graphic design skills or technical unfamiliarity can lead to rejection by employers and a severe lack of interview calls or requests.

Sources:
rasmussen.edu/degrees/design/blog/graphic-design-business-skills/
ucblueash.edu/content/dam/refresh/blueash-62/documents/students/services/career-services/Sample-resumes/EXAMPLE%20Graphic%20Design.pdf

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309
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To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/essential-graphic-design-skills/

Grand Opening Ideas and Activities

Keep your business’ grand opening from falling flat or being underwhelming. You can create an eclectic and memorable event by knowing which activities you can promote during a business grand opening celebration.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following structural insights and grand opening event ideas to help you throw a flawless event.

10 Business Grand Opening Ideas

If you want to throw a memorable grand opening, you’ve got to think above and beyond traditional festivities. Be creative and think about what would prompt your customers to take time out of their day to come, do, or see.

Use the following ideas to create an eclectic and fun experience for your business grand opening:

Invite a Local Celebrity - Find a local celebrity to attend (or even emcee) your opening and help draw people in. This does not have to be a big name with international pull, it can be a local celebrity with influence in your town. As long as the celebrity has this influence within your community, they can help you spread the word and bring in more customers.

Go Live - People love live music and entertainment, and booking a popular band to perform at your grand opening can be a phenomenal way to increase the turnout. Similar to your alliance with local businesses, both you and the band can promote one another, increasing both of your audiences.
 
Live entertainment is an exhilarating and unique way to increase attendance at your event. Additionally, it adds an uplifting attraction and provides attendees with something to watch during breaks (when they aren’t shopping). It also makes your establishment more a place of enjoyment than a business location trying to make more money from its consumers.

Turn it into a Block Party - Is your store near or surrounded by other businesses? Hosting a block party is a great cumulative event that allows you to work with other local business owners to create business for each establishment. Using a block party as your grand opening also attracts people just walking by and all the customers from surrounding establishments.

Giveaways - One of the most excellent ways to attract new and existing customers to a grand opening is to offer ways to win free stuff – everyone loves free stuff!

Hosting a raffle with a limited number of exciting prizes entices your consumers to show up for the potential of winning a prize that isn’t always accessible. 

Handout Branded Swag - Another way to encourage consumers to attend your event is with handouts of promotional products, or swag. Again, everyone loves that four-letter word “free” regardless of what that item may be.

Consider distributing branded tote bags, pens, koozies, and other useful gear. This swag conveys the message that your brand exists, reminding consumers to use your business often.

Partner with Neighboring Businesses - Partnering with other local businesses is a smart business move when you’re the new guy in the area. Finding complementary businesses to partner with can boost both your brands, expand your audience, and serve to expose your business to new audiences.

In addition, while at your grand opening celebration, your partnered businesses can operate stands or distribute swag of their own while promoting your opening to their already established client base.

Use Traditional Media Channels - Social media is a powerful and relatively inexpensive resource for advertising your event, but don’t cast aside more traditional media outlets. TV, radio, newspapers, and other printed media are still excellent ways to spread the word about your new business and your upcoming grand opening.

Distribute Flyers - Posting flyers on telephone poles and on public bulletin boards may seem old-fashioned but remains as relevant as distribution by direct mail.

Run a Publicity Stunt - Organizing a high-profile publicity stunt is an effective way to create buzz about your grand opening event both before it happens and during the event. Organize and choreograph a massive flash mob or create a live, dramatic billboard.

Use whatever you believe will best draw attention, but remember to prominently feature your business name, logo, and information during the stunt to generate the intended excitement.

Use Guerilla Tactics - Use your marketing creativity while promoting your grand opening and unleash the exquisite power of guerilla marketing. For example, surprise an audience attending a local baseball game with free swag launched into the bleachers or distributing branded scarves during a winter outdoor event.

Business Grand Opening Event

Business grand opening events generate much-needed early excitement about your establishment. Beyond the ideas we’ll address later, here are a few best practices to apply in your planning and development process as you approach opening day:

Start Planning - Depending on the business you are opening, you may want to start planning its opening festivities 6 months in advance, and in some cases, a full year ahead of time.

Event Permits - Whether your grand opening celebration will be confined to your parking lot, completely enclosed by your building, or expand into adjacent lots, you may be required to secure permits for this activity (some municipalities may see this like a block party or other public event).

Event Insurance - Commercial Property and General Liability are the insurance policies you will likely be required to carry for the duration of your grand opening.

Banner Usage - People were driving by your business for months while it was “under construction,” it’s vital to communicate to anyone in the area that you’ll be open and ready for business soon. Such banners can include:

• Closed for Renovations
• Closed for Remodeling
• Coming Soon
• Opening in ___ Days
• Grand Opening
• Open for Business

Social Media Blitz - Create business accounts on relevant social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Medium, GetPocket, etc.) and start building a following. Run local ads announcing your plans while approaching the grand opening.

Invite Everyone - A grand opening event isn’t solely a public spectacle. It is certainly a personal one too. Invite your family, extended family, and then invite your employees to do the same. Encourage everyone to invite their neighbors as well. Finally, send invitations to all your vendors.

Grand Opening Activities

In this article, you discovered insights, ideas, and activities to help you produce the most memorable grand opening possible for your business.

The more out-of-the-box experience you can create for your grand opening event, the more memorable it will be and the better attendance you are likely to generate.

Relying on traditional ideas and lackluster events may doom your grand opening to being a mediocre, laughable event that offers no support or value to your business efforts.

Sources:
communications.oregonstate.edu/events/creating-event-plan
lib.niu.edu/2000/ip000541.html

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309
(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/grand-opening-ideas-and-activities/

What Information To Put on a Business Card

Prevent losing potential business and the embarassment of a poorly designed business card. Knowing how to produce a business card that is sharp and focused will be compelling and help keep your audience engaged.

Business card by chandrayaan.creative

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information and strategy tips about what to put on your business card.

Information To Include on Your Business Card

Knowing what information goes on a business card, what should be left off, and how to use negative space will give you the means to create a unique and memorable business card. Consider the following:

1. Company or Business Logo

A well-designed logo is informative, practical, graphic, and straightforward. Usually, you’ll find a developed concept or “meaning” behind an effective logo, and it effortlessly communicates the business’ intended message. A well-designed logo can make your company appear credible, professional, and trustworthy. Three common types of logos include:

• Monogram or Letter Mark - These logos are composed of the initial letters of your business creatively organized. Abbreviating makes sense if you have a long name, like United Parcel Service (UPS).
• Written Name - Also known as a wordmark, this is a written-out representation of your brand. Many iconic brands use wordmarks, such as Mercedes, Kleenex, and Nike.
• Symbol - This representation of your business is image-based. It can be a simple shape related to your area of expertise or an abstract form representing your brand. It can stand alone and support your written business name. The red, white, and blue Pepsi logo, the Apple, the swoosh, and McDonald’s golden arches are some of the more widely recognized.

Bobboz - stock.adobe.com

Note: Your logo should ideally work in black and white (for basic applications) and be scalable (from stamp-sized reproductions all the way up to posters or banners). Try not to add text too close to the logo or scale it too big. And remember to let it breathe. That’s what makes it stand out. If it looks cramped, scale the logo down a bit and increase the amount of space around it.

Tip: Your logo should work in both color scale and black and white, besides being scalable from postage stamp to poster size.

2. Company or Business Name

Your company’s or business’ name is what people will most likely remember. As such, the name of your business should be the most prominent (largest) component of text on your card.

3. Tagline

This 5 to 6 word (maximum) phrase summarizes what your business is about. It conveys your business identity to the individual. A tagline will help ensure that your brand is instantly recognizable. Shapes, colors, and words used creatively can make a powerful tagline. Each element should come together to form the heart of your branding. Some examples include:

• California Milk Processor Board - “Got Milk?”
• Dunkin Donuts - “America runs on Dunkin”
• Disney - “Happiest Place on Earth”
• McDonald’s - “Lovin’ It”
• Verizon - “Can You Hear Me Now?”
• Nike - “Just Do It”
• KFC - “Finger-lickin’ good”

Tip: The more simple and concise your tagline is, the more memorable it will be.

4. Your Name

Make this text field significant. It will help people remember your name and create a personal business connection.

5. Your Job Title

Business card by Ivan

Not everyone’s good with names, and your job title works well to jog a person’s memory. Some people are more likely to remember you for your title or position.

6. Contact Information

Contact information can be aligned left, right, or centered. You can emphasize your preferred contact method, like a phone number or email address with a larger size or more prominent placement.

Tip: If you operate your business from a brick-and-mortar location, your address is crucial to increase potential foot traffic. If you work virtually or do not depend on foot traffic, you can leave it out and save the space. However, your phone number and email address are essential components; most people will contact you this way.

7. Website Address/Landing Page

You can stop using the “http://“ from your web address. It’s not necessary and takes up valuable space. It’s essential to be consistent between the design of your business card and your website, refer to your website when designing a business card or refer to your business card when designing your website.

Tip: Use a QR code that automatically sends you to a greeting page on your website made specifically for those visiting via business cards. This will allow you to track new visitors and their activities.

8. A Promo or Call to Action

Include a call to action or promo code for a product or service. This will help you measure who is looking at and engaging with your business card after a meeting or event.

It’s not the best way to measure results (many people never redeem promos), but it helps you provide users with something in exchange for their time. An enticing call to action or promo can drive traffic to your website or generate new emails or phone calls.

Types of Business Cards

Just as important as the information you are designing onto your card is the type of card you want to use. Consider the following when selecting your business cards:

• Thicker cards (34 points are considered double thick) make painted edge business cards stand out spectacularly.
• Laminated cards (silk satin, soft velvet, UV gloss, etc.) tend to last longer and have an excellent presentation.
• Raised foil, laminated foil, and akuafoil business cards allow you to truly express how dynamic your creativity can reach.
• Cotton, linen, recycled cardboard, and uncoated business cards allow you to personalize them by writing directly on the card.

Card design by Fishing Artz

Explore more options and configurations by visiting clashgraphics.com/business-cards-printing-in-atlanta

What Goes on a Business Card?

Just because you want a business card doesn’t mean you have to be boring about them. Produce a functional card that helps your contacts/customers find their way to your marketing funnel. Make a great first impression with a strong business card design that lets people know who you are and what you are about. Use high-quality paper and printing techniques to solidify that impression.

Find assistance with a professional graphic design team at clashgraphics.com/graphic-design/

What to Put on a Business Card

In this article, you discovered information and tips for what data should be included in your business card design.

Increase your audience size and generate more revenue by being precise and result-driven when developing your business cards.

Avoid losing revenue and business volume from poorly designed business cards that complicate your audience’s ability to communicate with you.

Sources:
sessions.edu/notes-on-design/3-ways-to-design-a-better-business-card/
freelogodesign.org/blog/2017/03/09/business-cards-the-dos-and-donts
apfmnet.org/what-does-your-business-card-say-about-you/
socialmediaweek.org/blog/2015/01/business-cards-still-matter-effectively-use/

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/what-information-to-put-on-a-business-card/

How To Create a Product Launch Plan

Prevent your product launch from being a costly, mismanaged embarrassment. Putting a product launch plan in place will help you smoothly take your product to market.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about what a launch plan is, what one consists of, its importance to your launch, and how to use a product launch plan to your advantage.

What Is a Product Launch Plan?

While a product launch is a concerted group effort to bring a product to market, a product launch plan helps you order necessary events leading up to and potentially past a product launch date. The objective should be to make sure everyone involved in the product’s development and marketing, business partners, and customers are knowledgeable about your new product, how it solves their problem, and when it arrives on the market.

How Do You Plan New Product Launch?

Your product launch plan should clearly establish what needs to be done, by when, and by whom. It not only outlines a pathway for task execution but also provides a snapshot of the product and its launch. A well-written product launch plan should include or address the following:

Executive Summary

This is where you summarize information about the product, the launch plan, project finances, and how success will eventually be measured. Your executive summary should address the following more in-depth:

• Summarize your campaign goals
• Company messages
• Goals for this launch
• What metrics will be used to measure the launch success
• Identify product features, functions, and system requirements

Tip: While the executive summary appears first in your presentation, it is more easily composed after the rest of your plan has been outlined and written.

Product Description

Write a brief (2 to 3 paragraph) product description including:

• What the product is
• Benefits
• What customer problem it solves

Target Audience

• Define your targeted customer
• Define the product persona
• Define your targeted market segment(s)
• Define your targeted business segment(s)

Responsibilities

• Who within the organization is assigned to what portion, phase, or segment of the product launch?

Important Dates & Milestones

All critical dates and milestone targets should be chronologically listed and include events like:

• Product Finalization
• Product Naming
• Budget Allocation
• Product Positioning
• Press Releases/Activity

Results Metrics

Include which metrics will be used to determine whether or not the launch was a success like:

• Revenue targets
• Number of associates/partners carrying the product
• Online traffic/conversions

Tip: Establish attainable goals and celebrate them with your team.

Marketing Strategy

Given the budget and target audience for this product launch, what marketing vehicles will best work for you?

• Brochures
• USPS Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)
• Tradeshows
• Press Events/Releases
• Company web pages
• Email messaging

Tip: When applicable, use or modify your company’s successful marketing assets implemented under previous product launches.

“Must Meet” Milestones

Include a timeline of all activities within your launch plan that must happen and their expected dates.

Launch Budget

What is your launch plan’s budget? Develop and include a pie chart showing how the launch budget will be allocated, accompanied by a detailed table.

While you could create a spreadsheet to manually recreate all of this, there are online resources you can use like this template in Asana: asana.com/templates/for/marketing/product-marketing-launch

Why Is a Product Launch Plan Important?

Within even the most organized and experienced companies, mistakes can and do happen. A product launch plan helps reduce the potential for errors as well as:

• Helping you remember and keep track of each critical step and crucial asset during your product release process.
• Being better prepared to navigate undesired results and/or situations.
• Since all team members have access to the same document, they can perform more cohesively, avoiding duplicate efforts and confusion of responsibilities.

Note: A product launch plan allows you to make larger tasks more manageable by breaking them into smaller tasks that can be distributed among team members.

Tip: Besides the organizational benefits a product launch plan brings to the table, a well-structured plan can help you secure greater project funding from your business partners and associates.

Planning for a Product Launch

In this article, you discovered what a product launch plan is, what can be found in a launch plan, and why they are essential.

Creating a product launch plan or employing a pre-established template will help you organize, assign, and follow project tasks from concept to completion and eventual launch.

Neglecting to use a product launch plan can leave your team and launch vulnerable to forgotten deadlines, misunderstood tasks, botched assignments, duplicated work, missed opportunities, and embarrassing setbacks.

Sources:
web.uri.edu/risbdc/
faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/~mela/marketing460/
faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/~mela/marketing460/AtAGlance_2004/Launch_Plan_Template_fin.pdf
home.ubalt.edu/ntsbpitt/SpreeMPE.htm
web.uri.edu/risbdc/files/How-to-Launch-Like-a-Pro-for-More-Sales.pdf

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/how-to-create-a-product-launch-plan/

50th Birthday Party Ideas for Men

Don't allow an ordinary celebration for one of the most significant birthday milestones. Having party ideas and knowing how to organize a male 50th birthday party will alleviate extra effort, and help you to create an exceptional celebration and unforgettable memory.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about party themes, group activities, and tips to help you plan and throw an incredible 50th birthday party for any male in your life.

50th Birthday Party Themes for Men

You’d think a party theme for a 50th birthday party would be pretty self-explanatory (50). However, there are a few things to consider before doling out megabucks on decorations and party favors. The following questions will help you define/refine the direction of your planning:

What Does The Guest of Honor Do for a Living? - Knowing the guest of honor is particularly helpful when choosing a party theme. What they do for a living may be the only knowledge you need to know to assemble an appropriate theme, especially when the honoree loves his career. Some fun career fields to develop the party theme may include:

• Teacher
• Lawyer
• Nurse/Doctor
• Mechanic
• Military Officer
• Police Officer
• Plumber
• Chef
• Astronomer
• Scientist

Whichever career your guest of honor is in, having a theme based on or alluding to that career will create a more familiar environment for him and the party’s attendees.

What Are The Guest of Honor’s Hobbies? - In the unlikely event that your guest of honor is not so fond of his work, you may have to find inspiration in his hobbies or non-work-related interests. There is much fun to be had with the following:

• Painting/Splatter Room
• Ziplining
• Hiking/Mountain Trails
• Bowling/Sports
• Fishing
• Archery
• Geocaching

A benefit to anchoring a theme on a hobby is the likelihood that most attendees will participate in the activities out of curiosity or competition.

Who Will Be Invited to The Party? - Knowing who will be in attendance will make party theme development much easier. One principle behind this is to keep everyone occupied simultaneously, especially if children and adolescents will be in attendance.

What Time of Year and Time of Day Will the Party Take Place? - One of the most significant influences on your planning will be the season. Pool parties may not go over so well in mid-winter. Likewise, your “Starry night at a French cafe” party may not be so magical at 2 in the afternoon.

What’s the Party Venue? - An intelligent move on your part as a party planner is to secure the celebration’s location before determining the theme. This helps you account for the space you can use for decorations, props, and activities.

Note: The more framework or structure you can define before settling on a theme, the easier your setup, walkthrough, and event will occur.

Tip: Be mindful. If your guest of honor is sensitive of his age. Avoid the “Over the Hill or “Age” related themes. There is a multitude of adult party themes to choose from.

Themes for a 50th Birthday Celebration

Themes for a 50th birthday party can develop from nearly any aspect of the birthday boy’s profession, hobbies, or lifetime achievements. Consider the following popular themes:

• Straight Outta My 40’s
• Rhythm & Brews
• Old Lives Matter
• Over The Hill
• Age Is Just a Number (A Really High One in This Case)
• Black and Gold Celebration
• Silver Party Theme

Here are some themes that can steer your party plans far away from being boring. In fact, when your guest of honor’s activities are incorporated in the theme, a 50th birthday party can be the most fun and memorable event of the year.

Wine and Cheese Tasting 50th Birthday Party

For your “modern” friend that loves food! This 50th birthday party theme can easily please everyone. So break out the best bottles of reds and whites along with your cheese board, and enjoy the “tasty” event.

Muscle Cars and Horse Power 50th Birthday Celebration

If your birthday boy is mechanically inclined and enjoys spending time under the hood, invite guests with classic cars, hot rods, and muscle cars. To make this party happen, hot dogs, potato salad, and hamburgers may be all you need.

Mardi Gras 50th Birthday

If your guest of honor enjoys living a bit on the wild side, a Mardi Gras-inspired celebration may hit the spot! Beads, Southern cuisine, sounds of a brass band, and festive clothing can instantly transport your festivities to the “Big Easy.”

Luau Themed 50th Birthday Party

Everyone may have an idea of what a luau is. However, for anyone who has ever been to an authentic Hawaiian luau, this theme will be wildly popular! The feast can feature traditional dishes like poi, kālua puaʻa (kālua pig), poke, lomi salmon, ʻopihi, and haupia.

Margaritaville Themed 50th Birthday Celebration

Margaritaville is a feeling, not a place. "Margaritaville" is a song Jimmy Buffett wrote and recorded with his Coral Reefer Band in Key West, Florida. For this theme, being near a beach is convenient but not totally necessary. There are dozens of Margaritaville-themed resorts that can accommodate your celebration, and if you are still out of reach, just think beach and margaritas to set the tone.

Paris France Themed 50th Birthday Party

Twinkle lights, great champagne, light food, and great conversations all taking place in an open, outside, “veranda” setting on a table large enough to accommodate most attendees.

Birth Year Themed 50th Birthday Bash

Turn back the clock and spend a day celebrating like it was the year your guest of honor was born. You may find yourself at a thrift store to find some props, but the nostalgia such a party can bring to life is well worth the effort.

Circus Themed 50th Birthday Party

Even if the circus isn’t in town, you can pop the popcorn, break out the candy, and even have contests for random prizes. Fun times ahead!

More 50th Birthday Party Themes

Here are a few more themes to help you develop the perfect 50th birthday celebration:

• Fisherman and Fishing Poles
• Backyard BBQ
• Make it smooth and easy going with Jazz
• Gardeners, Flowers, and Plants
• Golf - Take the party to the range

Tip: Whatever theme is used to put the party together, don’t forget to incorporate the guest of honor’s hobbies, profession, and/or favorite activities.

When putting the theme and party together, here are some things you may want to consider that personalize and enhance the party experience:

• Printed and personalized invitations
• Party favors with the party’s theme
• Banners
• Posters
• Window Graphics
• Printed thank you cards

Add another layer of fun to the celebration by turning it into a surprise party. For step-by-step instructions, read the article How To Plan a Surprise Birthday Party.

Men’s 50th Birthday Celebration

In this article, you discovered party themes, activities, and tips to help you put together a meaningful and memorable 50th birthday celebration.

One of the most significant birthday parties you can participate in is the 50th. Having a theme tempered by the birthday boy’s profession and hobbies makes the party that much more special and memorable.

Failing to enhance or elevate a milestone birthday can leave attendees and everyone else involved with a sense of disappointment.

Sources:
nextavenue.org/how-throw-unforgettable-destination-party/
sloganshub.org/50th-birthday-slogans-and-sayings/

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/50th-birthday-party-ideas-for-men/

Types of Wayfinding Signs and Their Purpose

Prevent your visitors, guests, and shoppers from getting lost. Knowing where to order and how wayfinding signage helps people navigate locations will help you create and install proper signage.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about wayfinding signage, how different types of wayfinding signs interact, and why they are crucial to helping people safely reach their destinations.

What Does Wayfinding Mean?

The term wayfinding defines information systems (signage) that prompt, inform, and guide people through a physical environment while enhancing their understanding and experience of the location. These interconnecting information systems help people develop mental layouts of the terrain while simplifying their routes from origin to destination.

What Are The Principles of Wayfinding?

Ultimately, the desired outcome of a successful wayfinding campaign is for a person navigating your building, neighborhood, city, or state to be aware of his/her location, direction, and time/distance to their destination. The following principles (applied to road travel as an example) will help guide you to creating a highly optimized wayfinding program:

1. Location Identity - This principle speaks to the individuality or identifiability of specific locations. This is an aspect that establishes reference points or landmarks that become ways of positioning one’s self in a larger navigable space.

Example: Mile markers on a highway provide information about your immediate location and direction.

2. Use Landmarks for Location and Orientation Cues - Landmarks seen from a larger area or perspective help the individual attain a better perception of positioning, direction, and distance on a larger scale.

Example: Road/travel landmarks include architecturally significant buildings, water towers, bridges, etc.

3. Create well-signed And Structured Paths - Visual cues along interstate roadways accomplish this structure with signage like:

• “Atlanta (or other major destination) 200 miles” - meaning you are 200 miles from the stated destination.
• “Rest Area 5 miles” or “Next Rest Area 85 miles”
• “Welcome Center Next Right”
• Food, Lodging, and Gas signage announcing options at exits
• Speed limit signage
• Construction or work zone signage

Example: Billboards along a stretch of roadway are intended to convey information from a distance and can easily be used as directional landmarks (driving traffic to a specific location) within a larger region.

4. Give Each Region along a Path Its Own Characteristics - Cities or townships take on specific attributes that differentiate them from one another. Thus, contributing to a navigator’s positioning and wayfinding.

Example: Some cities may be known for their car dealerships, others may be known for their educational campuses, while others may be known for their cultural heritage or sightseeing appeal.

5. Keep Navigation Options To a Minimum - “All roads lead to Rome.” This saying means that all the methods of doing something will achieve the same result in the end. If your plan is to drive traffic to a specific attraction or location, design visual cues meant to attract navigators there.

Example: Post “Free Test-Drive,” “Buy One-Get One,” “50% off,” or other attractive marketing strategies. Some cities may guide traffic flow by making a series of one-way streets to force traffic towards a significant cultural attraction or economic driver.

6. Give Navigators a Map Reflecting the Path To Follow - Tourist maps are excellent examples of how to guide navigators. Perhaps most famous are the tourist maps found along “Historic US Route 66” stretching from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois.

Example: Visitors or Welcome centers along Route 66 offer tourist maps with historical information, sightseeing information, and offer navigators another positioning or directional cue.

7. Place Signage at Key or Decision Points That Promote Navigators Making Informed Decisions - Such wayfinding informational signage should be placed at locations where a navigator must make a directional decision. Such signage may warn of wildlife danger, rough roads, long delays, road work ahead, or other inconvenience that encourages using an alternate route.

Example: Most cities with a well-developed transit system use overhead digital signage to warn motorists of accidents, road closures, or other information that may interrupt or delay their commute.

8. Give Your Navigators More Extensive Insight - This principle provides a navigator with information on what awaits further along the path, often unfamiliar but potentially of interest. This wayfinding strategy may prompt the navigator to alter his/her destination. It relies on providing sufficient information to spark enough curiosity for the navigator to select that path.

Example: A sequence of billboards may announce the opening of an amusement park at Exit - 99, or your tourist map may announce the world’s tallest waterfall and campground just beyond the next city.

Note: While these principles used road travel to provide perspective, they can be similarly applied to any location or event in which people will move from one place to another. Such events include conventions, concerts, sports events, airports, and hospitals. Wayfinding is everywhere! From street signs to restroom signs, everyone is constantly being guided whether it’s noticed or not.

What Is The Difference Between Signage And Wayfinding?

While digital signage and wayfinding are more often reliant on each other than not. Wayfinding is any process that assists people find their way around, to, or from a location, while digital signage is a broader category that encompasses more than wayfinding technology.

Digital signage may be used to provide severe weather announcements, news headlines, or product promotions. While this may be valuable information, it does not provide location orientation (unless the sign itself is used as a landmark).

What Are The Different Types of Signs?

There are four distinct types of wayfinding signs, including identification, directional, informational, and regulatory. As individual signs, they attend to a specific role. However, as part of a wayfinding system, they work with each other to provide directional and positioning cues. Consider the following:

1. Identification Signs - This wayfinding signage is the most common and should be the most straightforward. Identification signage tells a person when they’ve arrived at their destination or if they’ve ended up in the wrong location. Some examples may include:

• Landmark (statues, historical markers, etc.)
• Department (Radiology, Sales, Accounting, etc.)
• Door ID Plates (General Manager, President, Conference Room, etc.)

2. Directional Signs - These signs act as cues to guide people from where they are to where they are going. These signs may be as simple as names with arrows at corridor junctions or as comprehensive as color-coded corridors leading to specific departments. Examples of these may include:

• Directory Signage (food court upper level, You Are Here, etc.)
• Color-coded corridors/lines (blue for accounting, yellow for marketing, etc.)
• Hanging product location signage (Bread, Condiments, Peanut Butter, Jelly, etc.)

3. Informational Signs - These signs serve to answer questions before they are asked. Such signage is often located in lobbies, waiting areas, and other areas exposed to people navigating to or reaching a destination. Informational signs include:

• Emergency Exits
• Restrooms
• Address Numbers or Placard
• Hours of Operation
• No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service

4. Regulatory Signs - Using clear and concise vocabulary, regulatory signage establish and reinforce rules and standards. This form of wayfinding signage generally focuses on safety and may include:

• No Smoking
• High Voltage
• Staff Only
• No Pets Allowed
• Face Coverings Required

These signs can be custom designed on aluminum, vinyl, or plastic in various colors and sizes; visit the link to order large format printing signage or to learn options and custom designs.

What Is a Wayfinding Strategy?

A comprehensive wayfinding strategy helps people depart a point of origin and navigate a path to a destination. The strategy seamlessly combines signage, maps, symbols, colors, and other forms of communication. As technological advancements become more available to the general population, wayfinding strategies integrate more mobile applications, RFID, QR code technology, and other wireless applications.

Wayfinding Signs and Cues

In this article, you discovered the principles of wayfinding, the types of signage it uses, and how all of it works together to accomplish people’s commutes and travels on any scale.

Having a well-designed and thought-out wayfinding system for your event, building, community, city, or state will help prevent confusion and frustration as people navigate from point A to point B.

Without wayfinding tools, you risk frustrating potential customers, losing valuable business, and dissuading tourists from visiting your location, all causing potentially significant revenue loss.

Sources:
ai.mit.edu/projects/infoarch/publications/mfoltz-thesis/node8.html
webservices.itcs.umich.edu/mediawiki/DigitalRhetoricCollaborative/index.php/Wayfinding
citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.376.797&rep=rep1&type=pdf
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/LA/LA4/LA4.pdf

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What is Every Door Direct Mail® - EDDM

Avoid missing potential customers or making a mistake on your next direct mail campaign. Knowing how to use Every Door Direct Mail® will help you efficiently increase revenue by extending your reach while remaining extremely targeted.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following details about what Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) is, how it works, and what it costs.

What is EDDM?

Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) is targeted bulk mailing, offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS), allowing your marketing strategy to reach potential customers without maintaining a mailing list or even knowing their address. Choose the mailing routes you determine to be priorities (by neighborhood, city, or ZIP code), and your mailers will be delivered to each active address on those routes.

How Does USPS EDDM Work?

There are 2 types of EDDM®, one is “retail,” and the other is “Business Mail Entry Unit.” EDDM® Retail won’t require you to have a mailing permit, is limited to standard flats (postcards), and permits a maximum of 5,000 daily pieces. EDDM® BMEU (Business Mail Entry Unit) requires bulk-mail permitting and provides more flexibility as to what may be mailed.

You can put together an EDDM® marketing campaign (printed in accordance with USPS guidelines) in 4 easy steps:

Step 1. Define Your Marketing Strategy and Goals - Why are you considering using EDDM®. Are you trying to:

• Explore an under-targeted community?
• Increase lead generation?
• Promote a product launch, event, or sale?
• Promote a company expansion or branch opening?

EDDM® allows you to reach an entire community or laser focus on a select demographic within that community.

Step 2. Create or Use an Existing USPS.com Account - Businesses and individuals can create an Every Door Direct Mail®-Retail mailing online with a USPS.com account. To use EDDM® Retail, you must send a minimum of 200 mail pieces but are permitted up to 5,000 per day per ZIP Code.

Step 3. Design and Print Your Mail Pieces - The USPS has defined physical standards and print placement guidelines that must be followed when designing your creative. Click this link to have our team design and print your Every Door Direct Mailing Postcards according to these guidelines. For the specific requirements and a DIY campaign, read the following:

• Flat minimum dimensions must be more than 10.5 inches long or 6.125 inches high or .25 inches thick.
• Flat maximum dimensions are 15 inches long, 12 inches high, and .75 inches thick.
• Mailing labels must appear on the top half of mail pieces and not appear upside-down when placed parallel to the shortest end of the flat.

Business Mail Entry Units (BMEU) label options must include:

• “Postal Customer” for active business and residential deliveries
• “Residential Customer” for residential deliveries
• “PO Box Customer” for PO Box deliveries
• City, State, and 5-digit ZIP Code can be included but are not required
• “EDDM” must appear after “ECRWSS” on flats 10.5 to 11.5 inches in length submitted at a BMEU

Note: All pieces must include “ECRWSS” in the address area or within/below the permit indicia.

Retail EDDM® labels must include:

• “Local Postal Customer” for active business and residential deliveries

Note: All retail pieces must include “ECRWSS” and “EDDM RETAIL” within the retail indicia.

For more detailed information about proper placement and the indicia requirements, visit usps.com/business/pdf/quick-reference-guide.pdf

Watch this video about BMEU and Retail EDDM.

Step 4. Select The Best Mail Routes for Your Marketing Objectives - After you’ve done your research on “who you want to receive what,” the USPS has developed a powerful interactive map to help you determine the routes for your EDDM® marketing campaign.

Using census information, the map also allows you to define your recipients by showing:

• Number of business and residential postal customers
• Average age (you can define this metric)
• Average household size
• Average household income

The map will calculate the number of Post Office drop-off locations, the total number of addressees, the estimated cost, and provide you with a route number. You can find this map at eddm.usps.com/eddm/customer/routeSearch.action

Once your flats are printed and ready to go, you will need to decide how to get them to their destination. Having your printer take care of your EDDM® preparation can save your business considerable time and money. Your printer’s customer service representative can help you determine the best course of action to help you make the most of your investment.

How Effective is EDDM?

Since the onset of digital marketing, many have claimed that direct marketing would simply disappear. However, even in an increasingly digital world, direct marketing still works, and here’s why:

• Direct mail is interactive and tangible
• It is easily shared between household members and friends (not everyone is online)
• It can be creative and unique
• Direct mail campaigns pair nicely with digital campaigns

Perhaps the most significant advantage of direct mail, specifically EDDM®, is the ability to affordably personalize a highly targeted marketing campaign with little effort.

According to the U.S. Small Business Association, research found that direct mail campaigns result in purchases five times larger than from email campaigns. When email and direct mail are combined, purchases six times larger than email alone were generated.

How Long Does Every Door Direct Mail Take?

The longer phase of your marketing campaign will likely be the design, printing, and preparation of your mail pieces. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 10 days or more.

From the time USPS receives your EDDM®, you can expect delivery to occur within 3 to 10 days. While this delivery window is not guaranteed, anything delivered after 14 days is considered late.

If no significant challenges arise, your campaign’s concept to final delivery may take from 2 to 4 weeks.

How Much Does EDDM Cost?

EDDM® Retail rates are in the range of $0.16 to $0.20 per piece. The postage savings can be as much as 7 cents over standard mail, or 3 cents over first-class 4×6 postcard rates.

You can calculate the approximate cost per piece for your campaign by using the USPS EDDM® interactive map found at eddm.usps.com/eddm/customer/routeSearch.action

Watch this video from the USPS about Every Door Direct Mail.

EDDM “Every Home, Every Address, Every Time”

In this article, you discovered what Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) is, how it works, how to use it in your marketing campaign, and what it costs.

Using EDDM® will help your marketing campaign extend its reach deeper into communities and demographics otherwise unattainable.

Without incorporating EDDM®, your direct mail marketing campaign may underperform or miss reaching its full capacity.

Sources:
usps.com/business/every-door-direct-mail.htm
sba.gov/blog/direct-mail-hot-again-heres-how-use-it
federalregister.gov/documents/2012/10/15/2012-25059/every-door-direct-mail-retail
uspsoig.gov/tags/eddm

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How To Plan a Surprise Birthday Party

Prevent your bestie’s birthday from being a dull, boring, and forgettable experience. Knowing how to plan a surprise birthday and pull it off can create a fantastic experience for all involved.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about the steps needed to plan a surprise birthday party and keep it a secret until the reveal.

1. Planning a Surprise Birthday Party

Planning a surprise birthday party will require you to be a little stealthy in your planning and execution. The following steps will help you get started:

Choose a Date and Time - When selecting the date and time for your surprise party, you’ll want to avoid the guest of honor’s actual birthday. Most people expect some sort of shenanigans on their birthday. By holding a surprise party in advance, you are enhancing the element of surprise.

Select a Party Theme - Selecting a theme for the party is entirely optional. However, an easy way to get people excited about a surprise party is to give it a fun theme. Guests get to come up with an outfit or costume, see everyone else's, and you have the opportunity to show off your creativity for decorations, prizes, and activities. The theme can be anything; sit-com-based, cartoon-themed, period dress (1920’s, 1980’s, etc.), color-themed, or even holiday-themed.

Determine a Party Location - Just as important as the party itself is the location you select. This location could be a restaurant, a friend’s residence, or any venue that’s familiar to the guest of honor.

Tip: If a restaurant is the venue of choice, make a reservation at least a month in advance to guarantee enough space for everyone in your party.

Guest Selection - When determining how extensive your list will be and who will make the cut, consider the following:

• Smaller groups (10 to 15 people) make it easier to reserve a location, keep the party a secret, and provide a more intimate experience.
• Larger groups (more than 15 people) present challenges for keeping the party a secret and coordinating the party guests.

Tip: Make an ordered list of people to invite, starting with family, then close friends, acquaintances, etc. This way, if you have to shorten the list, you can work your way from the bottom up.

Party Invitations - Hand deliver or mail (cleverly worded and themed) printed invitations at least a month in advance with a deadline of one week prior to the party for RSVPs. Don’t forget to add "Shhhh!" or, “Keep Quiet! It's a surprise party!” somewhere on the envelope or the face of the invitation. Hence, there is no doubt that it is a surprise birthday party.

As partygoers confirm, add them to a group text or an email thread to receive updates and instructions as the surprise party approaches.

Set Up The Ruse - The magic of misdirection will help you keep your surprise party a surprise. Create a “fake date” for you and your guest of honor to keep him/her from committing to some other event or outing.

As the party date approaches, be sure to confirm your “fake date” while preparing for your epic surprise party.

Note: This “fake date” or “cover plan” will help you keep the guest of honor occupied on the day of the party. This will buy you time while the venue is prepared and guests arrive.

2. Preparing for the Surprise Birthday Party

Now that you have nailed down the basic structure of the party. Here are a few ideas and tips to help you prepare for it:

Enlist a Close Friend - Even though it’s a surprise party, it can still be stressful to take on all of the responsibilities. To help ease the load, select someone close to the guest of honor to help you.

Your newly enlisted helper should be someone reliable and trustworthy in holding down a secret.

Gather Decorations, Food, and Supplies - Depending on the venue or location you selected for the party, you may only need minimal decorations and food. If you selected a restaurant, they can provide hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and decorations may only be balloons, party favors, and of course, a cake.

Whether using a venue’s amenities, catering, or going “pot luck,” don’t forget to make dietary accommodations for those with food allergies or restrictions.

If you’ve selected a theme, it gets even easier as you’ll have fewer options to choose from. The following party supply stores can help you with your theme:

• partycity.com
• hobbylobby.com

Keep everything put away and out of sight until the day of the event.

Note: For venues without food or entertainment, hire a catering company or order food from a restaurant that can deliver to your event. Entertainment can be in the form of a band, a jukebox, a DJ, or party games from a party supply store.

Tip: Except for catering, place online orders with enough advance time (10 to 15 days) for shipment and returns (if needed).

Reconfirming Guest Attendance - If you have been using a text or email thread to keep everyone in the loop, just send out a reminder message the evening before the surprise party. For those who are slow to respond or may not be checking their messages, call them.

Party Day Set-Up - Set up the party location two or three hours before the guest of honor is scheduled to arrive. Getting an early start will help you in fixing anything that goes wrong. Depending on how much there is to set up, have one or two of the guests show up early to lend you a hand or run an errand or two.

3. The Party

The final stretch of your efforts is to deliver the surprise. The following will help you seamlessly put the final touches on your party and welcome your guest of honor:

Guest Arrival - Have all of your guests arrive one hour early. So, if your party is set to start at 7:30pm, have your guests arrive at 6:30pm. Since there are always stragglers, you can have everyone together by 7:00pm to organize the big surprise.

Tip: For those arriving “on time,” have some snacks, refreshments, and activities ready, so they aren’t left hungry and bored.

Teamwork - It’s time for the friend you enlisted earlier to play a significant role in making things work. One of you should be at the venue, making sure everything is ready, and guests know what to do. The other should be with the guest of honor doing whatever your cover plan was, eventually leading him/her to the big reveal.

Tip: Having someone with the guest of honor allows them to communicate when they are on their way or for you to request that they stall for time. This way, the only surprise will be on the guest of honor.

The Big Reveal - Make sure everyone in attendance is aware of how the big reveal will work. Here are a few ideas:

• Lights off! This is the classic reveal where everyone hides with the lights off, the guest of honor arrives, and everyone cheers “SURPRISE” when the lights come on.
• It’s just a regular party. In this scenario, your guest of honor thinks he/she is attending someone else’s party until you give a cue for everyone to gather around and reveal that the party is actually for him/her.
• Where’s the party? For this one, all of the guests will exit the venue while the guest of honor arrives. Then, on cue, everyone files in and surrounds the guest of honor singing and dancing.

Tip: Enlist a guest or two to help you gather decorations and leftover party favors as the party winds down. Keep your guest of honor from doing anything but having a good time and being celebrated.

Planning a Surprise Party

In this article, you discovered the organizational steps and level of secrecy required to pull off a perfect surprise birthday party.

When you take steps to carefully plan and execute a surprise birthday party, you can create a sensational and unforgettable experience for your guest of honor.

Haphazardly stringing your event together can dissuade guests from attending, blow the surprise, and wind up having a lackluster party.

Sources:
ourhousefamilies.org/surprise-birthday-party-planning-checklist.html
learnist.org/5-tips-for-throwing-a-surprise-birthday-party/

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Social Distancing in Schools

Prevent confusion, illness, and misinformation from disrupting your school’s gradual return to in-person learning. Adapting your school’s processes and safety protocols in concert with clear and informative signage will help improve your students health and safety.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about suggested COVID-19 school safety protocols, how schools can implement strategic signage to encourage their students to follow OSHA and CDC protective safety guidelines.

CDC Schools Reopening Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidelines/considerations to help schools reestablish in-person learning while protecting the health of students, teachers, staff, their families, and communities. These considerations include:

1. Promoting behaviors that reduce COVID-19’s transmission
2. Maintaining healthy school operations
3. Maintaining healthy school environments
4. Preparations for when someone gets sick

There exists, within each community, unique needs and circumstances. The implementation of health and safety guidelines should be guided by their feasibility, practicality, acceptability, and tailored to the community’s needs.

Note: These considerations are intended to supplement - not replace - Federal, state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and/or regulations with which schools must comply.

1. Promoting Behaviors That Reduce COVID-19’s Transmission

Changing behaviors in our communities plays a crucial part in successfully returning to in-person learning, sports, and other social activities. These behaviors include:

• Staying home when sick
• Social distancing - staying 6 feet apart
• Wearing a mask (especially when social distancing is difficult or entering in closed spaces)
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue (then disposing of the tissue in the waste bin)
• Hand washing
• Frequent hand sanitizing

In an educational setting, constant reminders like signs, monitors, and extra staffing can be used to help others permanently alter their behavior.

2. Maintaining Healthy Operations

School administrators can make changes in the way they manage their schools to support and maintain healthy operations. Some of these changes include:

Measures to protect high-risk staff, teachers, and students

• Enact policies (following applicable local, state, and federal law) to protect all individuals’ privacy at higher risk for severe illness regarding underlying conditions.
• Provide limited exposure, work from home, and modified job responsibility options for teachers and staff at risk or with underlying medical conditions.
• Provide virtual learning opportunities for students at risk or with underlying medical conditions.
• Create and provide inclusive school programming for students with special physical needs, healthcare needs, and disabilities, allowing virtual or on-site class and activity participation with necessary assistance, modifications, and accommodations.

Further changes to consider:

• Dividing teachers and students into groups and keeping those groups together.
• Hybrid options - alternating schedule for remote learning and in-person learning.
• Stagger student arrival, drop-off, and pick-up times to prevent or limit over-crowding and contact with parents, caregivers, and guardians.
• Designate one staff member (school nurse) as the COVID-19 point of contact. This staff member should be known and accessible to students, teachers, staff, and families.
• Implement more relaxed absence and leave policies to accommodate staff, teachers, and students staying home when sick, exposed, or caring for someone who is sick.
• Create a back-up staffing plan to temporarily cover staff absenteeism.
• Hold frequent training sessions with staff and teachers covering safety protocols, COVID-19 updates, recognizing signs and symptoms, and how to handle a situation when someone gets sick.

Watch this video from the CDC on protecting students, staff, families, and communities from COVID-19.

3. Maintaining healthy school environments

School administrators can make changes in providing and supporting a healthy environment for staff, teachers, and students. Some of these changes include:

• Require universal mask use.
• Increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces throughout the school (door handles, desks, sink handles, vending machines, drinking fountains, etc.
• Train and ensure the correct usage and storage of cleaning and disinfection products (these products should meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disinfection criteria)
• Discourage item sharing (devices, toys, learning aids, books, writing utensils, etc.).
• Upgrade, improve, and increase maintenance frequency of the ventilation system to deliver clean air and filter or dilute potential contaminants.
• Require or increase outdoor air ventilation by opening doors, windows, vents, and using fans to increase open door and window efficiency.
• Flush plumbing system and open faucets to run water (this ensures water safety after prolonged periods of shutdowns or inactivity.
• Modify seating/desk arrangements and positions to maintain students 6 feet apart (this includes classrooms, lunch/community areas, buses, and transportation alternatives).
• Install sneeze guards and partitions in locations that make it challenging to remain 6 feet apart (restroom sinks, reception desks, etc.)

Watch this video from the CDC on maintaining a healthy school environment.

4. Preparations for when someone gets sick

Schools should be prepared for when staff, teachers, or students come down with symptoms of or receive a diagnosis of COVID-19. Consider the following preparatory steps and isolation/quarantine criteria:

• Anyone with COVID-19 should not return to in-person activities until meeting the CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation. Read more on this criteria at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html
• Those who have been exposed to the virus should not return to in-person activities until finishing their quarantine.
• Educate staff, teachers, and students on when to stay home
• Isolate and transport those who develop symptoms of COVID-19.
• Clean and disinfect areas used by a sick person. It is recommended to wait for 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting or as long as possible when 24 hours is not feasible.
• Immediately notify health officials, staff, and families of any case of COVID-19. Certain measures of confidentiality must be maintained in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and all other applicable laws and regulations.
• Inform and educate individuals who’ve had close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 again, maintaining confidentiality as required by the ADA and FERPA.
• Develop a building, facilities, and event closure procedure that activates if/when an infected person (during their infectious period) has been on campus or has had close contact with others.

Note: In the event, your school must close, communicate with your local public health officials to coordinate the extent, duration, and next steps for activity suspensions and cancellations.

Watch this video from the CDC about schools having a plan for when someone gets sick.

OSHA Guidance for the Workplace

The following is a summary of what to know about COVID-19 protection in the workplace, tailored for teachers and school staff:

• One of the best ways to protect yourself is to maintain enough distance from other people, so you are not breathing in particles produced by an infected person – at least 6 feet.
• Wash your hands often. Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Monitor your health daily and watch for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Use face coverings. These are simple barriers to help prevent the exchange of respiratory droplets or aerosols. The CDC recommends that face coverings be made of at least two layers of tightly woven breathable fabric, without exhalation valves or vents.
• The principal function of properly wearing a face covering is to shield or protect those around you in case you are infected without symptoms.
• You should use face coverings whether you are showing symptoms or not. People with COVID-19 who do not develop symptoms (asymptomatic) and those not yet showing symptoms (pre-symptomatic) can still spread the virus.
• Even if you have been vaccinated, it is essential to wear a face covering, maintain distance, and abide by other safety measures. It is not yet known how vaccination affects transmissibility.
• Follow established COVID-19 prevention programs that include steps to keep staff, teachers, and students safe – including flexible schedules, personal protective equipment (PPE), and face coverings.

For more of OSHA’s guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19, visit osha.gov/coronavirus/safework

Social Distancing Signs for schools

Providing a safe learning environment is reliant on having a strategy and how it is implemented. That strategy should include directional and educational signage strategically posted throughout the school.

The CDC developed the following signs and informative handouts for COVID-19 awareness to continuously remind students to wash their hands, maintain 6-feet between themselves and friends, wearing a mask, etc.

• Cover Coughs and Sneezes (children)
• COVID-19 Class Rules
• COVID-19 Don't Let Your Germs Go for a Ride
• COVID-19 Keep Space Between You and Others
• COVID-19 Did You Wash Your Hands
• Wash Your Hands
• How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Mask
• Infographics for Parents
• Infographics for School Nurses
• Infographics for Teachers
• Respiratory Hygiene - Cover Your Cough
• What to Do If a Student Becomes Sick - Flowchart

Tip: You can customize these signs and infographics with your school’s mascot, logo, or motto.

Visit the following links for more CDC guidance for schools:

• K-12 Schools COVID-19 Mitigation Toolkit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/FINAL-0321420_B_K-12_Mitigation_Toolkit508.pdf
• How Do I Set Up My Classroom cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/How_Do_I_Set_Up_My_Classroom.pdf
• Teachers and Staff Resuming In-Person Learning cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/Teachers_and_Staff_Resuming_In-Person_Learning_checklist.pdf

Note: As more research and patient data is collected, the above guidelines and recommendations may be modified to address virus mutations, increasing infection rates, vaccination efficacy, and other emergent data.

CDC Guidelines for Schools

In this article, you discovered valuable information about COVID-19 school reopening and safety protocols, a school’s use of signage to influence and guide students, and essential guidance from the CDC, OSHA, and NIH.

Implementing a school reopening strategy that protects students, teachers, and staff creates a safe, organized, and nurturing environment to resume in-person learning.

Without good planning, guidance, and informational signs, many children and some adults are likely to forget or not follow safety guidelines. It only takes one person to cause another outbreak.

Sources:
cdc.gov
niaid.nih.gov
epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-coronavirus-covid-19
health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/preventing-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus
eeoc.gov/facts/pandemic_flu.html
www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/social-distancing-in-schools/

10 Tips for Working from Home Effectively

Avoid letting distractions and disarray cause your underperformance when working remotely. Knowing how to maximize your time and surroundings when working from home can lead to exceptional work results and increased professional and personal structure.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about how working remotely from home suddenly became the new standard and ten tips to help you create an ideal workspace focused on your efficiencies.

Working Remotely

March of 2020 marked the beginning of a massive and transformative shift in the way companies, big and small, were conducting business. The office setting and culture had to quickly shift to accommodate new social distancing and illness prevention guidelines being suggested by the CDC and mandated by local, state, and federal governments. The pandemic and eventual post-pandemic era had begun, and with it, the widespread implementation of working from home standards.

Working from Home Tips

If there are a hundred distractions in an office setting, there are a thousand distractions at home. The following 10 tips will help you eliminate many of those unwanted distractions, improving the quality and output of your work:

#1 - Create a Dedicated Workspace - Ideally, if you have a spare bedroom or den, you can maneuver the furniture, lighting, and decor to create an isolated, productive workspace. If space is an issue, your dining room table, countertop, or coffee table will have to do.

In either situation, the space you dedicate as your workspace should be treated solely as a workspace when you are on the clock.

#2 - Keep Your Workspace Clean - Clutter is the enemy of organization. When working from home, you don’t have a company janitor to clean your desk or pick up after you. Take the time each day to maintain your space clean and clutter-free.

Knowing how to get organized at work plays a big role in efficiency, so read the previous link for more tips about getting your new home workplace organized.

#3 - Choose and Set Up Your Technology - As soon as you start your work from home journey, ask your employer for the equipment and technology you need to efficiently reach and surpass your goals. This may include:

• Laptop
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Software
• Printer

Your employer should also grant you remote access to their corporate virtual private network (VPN), allowing you to share and receive company information and documents securely.

Note: Your employer may have created a budget to support your work-from-home setup. When making requests, be reasonable; they will probably reject a request for a new 85” flatscreen tv.

Tip: Research prices and functionality of the items you require. Take a look at this top 4 all-in-one laser printer reviews to find the perfect printer for your new home office.

#4 - Establish Boundaries - If you live alone, this will be relatively easy. Consider the following measures to eliminate distractions when on the clock:

• Avoid personal calls and texts
• Stay off social media sites
• Leave the tv shows or movies for later
• Resist the urge to take a nap

If you live with family, children, or have roommates, consider the following in addition to the above:

• Communicate the necessity for uninterrupted quiet time
• Define what constitutes a valid reason for interruptions
• Make a set of rules to be followed when you are working

Note: Just because you are home does not mean that you are there to take care of the dogs, watch the kids after school, or participate in household activities. Ask the question, “How would this get done if I weren’t here?” Your answer is the solution.

#5 - Get Dressed for Work - However you dress for work, get dressed. This, in part, helps you maintain your morning ritual, gets you into “work mode,” and will assist in keeping you out of trouble during video conference calls.

#6 - Maintain a Regular Work Schedule - Establish clear guidelines for when work begins and when work ends. This will help you maintain a balance between work and home life. If your employer doesn’t utilize a time tracking app, consider suggesting one of the following:

• TimeCamp
• Clockify
• Toggl Track
• RescueTime
• HourStack

Note: These apps not only help you organize your time; some can help reduce distractions, track project times and efficiencies, and offer daily, weekly, or monthly views of time entries.

#7 - Schedule Regular Breaks and Take Them - If you don’t know your employer’s policy on breaks and lunches, contact your Human Resources representative or refer to your employee handbook for the exact parameters.

Note: In most cases, US employees can expect a 30-minute lunch break plus two ten-minute breaks during an eight-hour workday (times may vary depending on your employer’s policies).

#8 - Attend Meetings and Training - Even working from home, department meetings and training courses are still a necessity. These meetings and courses have mostly commuted from in-person to video and/or conference calls.

Ensure that all mandatory meetings are on your schedule, and you have the proper credentials to attend them. In-person or virtual, showing up late to a meeting is never a “good look” for your professionalism.

Some of the online meeting platforms you and your company may use are:

• Zoom
• Skype
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet

Tip: Attend other “optional” meetings and training sessions. This will help you keep in touch with a broader range of employees from your company.

#9 - Stay Connected With Your Colleagues - Carve out time and schedule meetings with colleagues, clients, contractors, and peers. Staying in touch with these people helps you remain visible in your professional field and, more importantly, to your employer.

#10 - When You End Your Day, End Your Day - The same way you used to clock out and go home for the day, clock out at the end of your shift and put your work away until the beginning of your next shift.

It’s incredibly easy to lose track of time when you are buried in a project. Set an alarm or reminder that it’s time to shut it down and go back to enjoying your home.

Working Remotely from Home

In this article, you discovered what prompted a global shift towards working remotely and tips designed to help you eliminate distractions while increasing productivity.

By making a few simple adjustments, you can increase your efficiencies and output when working from home.

Allowing continued distractions and inconveniences when working from home will cause your productivity to drop and cause potential problems for your employment stability.

Sources:
baylor.edu/coronavirus/index.php?id=967757
siepr.stanford.edu/research/publications/how-working-home-works-out

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/10-tips-for-working-from-home-effectively/