Found Document Analysis

Big Message Small Design
 
            Design is an interesting word to put into a personal description.  Merriam-Webster defines design as “to plan and make decisions about (something that is being built or created): to create the plans, drawings, etc., that show how (something) will be made: to plan and make (something) for a specific use or purpose: to think of (something, such as a plan): to plan (something) in your mind.” Prior to looking up the definition, design for me has been defined more in an architectural, fashion, and interior design realms. Upon studying the definition of design, it is a much broader subject than the box I contained it to. What I now include in the design category is what I always considered layout in the printing and web design context. Looking at design in a much broader sense has me now viewing design in everything I encounter in my day-to-day life.
            This analysis will closely review a door hanger from Iuka Baptist Church. The door hanger is used as a contactless way to notify families when church members have been to their home and prayed over them. Due to COVID-19 and the restrictions placed on churches limiting face-to-face contact and home visits, an alternative needed to be available. This door hanger provided by the Mississippi Baptists is used to notify families when church members have visited their home and prayed over their family with no contact.  The design used on the door hanger is a rather simple design with its purpose clearly stated. Several opportunities are missed within the document to allow the recipient to fully know where the item originated and standout with its design.
            The contrast is a simple basic design with some strong features. The door hanger is rather large which makes it noticeable when placed on the door of the homeowner.  The top starts out fading from a yellow/orange immediately into a red and then begins fading back into the yellow/orange at the bottom. The bright colors make it easily noticeable.  It is printed on cardstock to make it sturdier against the outside elements since it is meant to be left on a door to a home. The typeface is all the same color. Possibly changes the color or the typeface or adding a banner to the area would help add definition and interest to the document. The document does not have bold contrast to make it stand out and grab the reader’s attention.
            Repetition is somewhat basic with some distinctions within the document.  The font type and size vary.  The word “blessings” is located at the top of the door hanger right below the hole to hang it from the door.  Blessings is in all caps and is the largest word on the door hanger.  It appears to be in bold type.  Immediately under “blessings’ is the phrase “on you and yours!” being the first words on the door hanger and in larger font size it is the first thing your eyes gravitate toward. The next item on the page is in a different font type and size. Finally, a bible verse is listed in a completely different font type and size than what was previously used. The designer did add a tilde mark before and after the bible verse referenced. This simple addition does add a small amount of design to the document. The last item on the door hanger is the Mississippi Baptist emblem with their name located underneath their icon. More decorative elements could have been added either in the background or possibly offset in a blank area to add depth to the rather simple design. Although the document does have repetition differences to make each item stand on its own it could use editing to make it more appealing to the recipient.
The alignment of the words organizes the information in the most basic of ways. “Blessings on you and yours!” appears to use a justified text to take up the entire space where it is located. Other than the first sentence using justified alignment and taking up both lines it is written on, the remainder of the information is aligned in the center. Each sentence is grouped separately to create division between the information allowing the readers eyes to take in each part separately. Varying the alignment within the different parts of the document would draw the readers eyes through the document.  
The proximity of the information placed on the document is somewhat effective.  Each sentence stands on its own with minimal space between the first and second sentence. Then a large space is left before the bible verse is written out. The designer did leave too much space between the written-out bible verse and its reference. It almost appears to be a separate item and can be somewhat confusing to the reader. There is more space before the Mississippi Baptist emblem appears at the very bottom of the page. The designer did not use proximity effectively to create interest.
There is not a place on the front for the name of the church or the people visiting to leave their name. This flyer has Iuka Baptist Church with their address stamped on the back of the door hanger at the bottom. The back is plain white with no information printed on it. The door hanger was then signed by the ladies visiting the home.
The door hanger is a great way to reach out to church members and prospective visitors while trying to protect everyone involved from possible contact of Covid. The message is important but can easily be overlooked or dismissed due to the design being poorly executed to draw the recipient in to the message. Had the designer used contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity more effectively the document could possibly have a longer lasting impression on the recipient. After a careful analysis of this document, it is determined the designer left room for improvement in all areas.

Works Cited:
“Design.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2021. Merriam-Webster.com, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/design.  Accessed 6 September 2021.

“Blessings on you and yours.” Mississippi Baptists.