Things are blooming everywhere you look. Some new features have blossomed on our website, too, as you’ll see below. This issue of Communiqué includes a story about the rewards of good design. To wrap things up, there’s a primer on paper that will help you make choices for your print projects.
	The National Council for Research on Women is an alliance of 100 leading U.S. women’s research and policy centers whose research is a tool for social change. The Council wanted a bright, attention-grabbing look to promote its awards and fundraising gala – one that would increase attendance and fundraising while raising awareness of the organization. Aaron Design, Inc. created a striped motif in bold spring colors for the tri-fold gala invitation and 16-page program. The client asked Aaron Design, Inc. to extend the look to an accordion-fold organizational brochure, as well as a full-page ad in Ms. magazine. Leslie Weber, director of development for the Council, was more than pleased with the results. “Everyone loved it. It was inviting and celebratory, as suited the occasion, and the excellent design helped us get prime placement for the ad, right inside the magazine’s front cover.”
	Unblock your brain: For a quick creativity break, take a tour Inside Our Head. Enjoy mousing around our eclectic list of artistic influences, while watching a visual guide to some things that make us tick. You’ll return to work with a fresh perspective. Find it fast: We’ve simplified navigation with new mouseover links that let you go right to the section of the site that you want. Recent work: See new samples of recent work, in the Invitations and Publications sections. Blog New York: Our diary Only in New York is now a blog. Add your story! In addition, we’re asking all of you to tell us What Makes NYC Great to You? Send your answers to nyisgreat@aarondesigninc.com. We’ll publish the results in the summer issue of Communiqué.
	In its earliest forms, paper came in one finish – rough – and one weight – heavy. Today, you can chose from a multitude of paper types for your project. First, there’s the coating. You’ve seen uncoated paper in books, as well as copy and fax machines. You turn coated pages when you read a magazine. Coated paper has a clay or similar outer layer on one or both sides, to prevent ink from being absorbed into the paper’s fibers. Coated papers can be dull, gloss, or matte, and are almost always white. They allow sharper, brighter images, on a more reflective surface. Uncoated paper is available in many finishes, colors and weight and is generally more absorbent than coated papers. Letterhead, envelopes and books are always printed on uncoated paper. You have probably heard references to a paper’s weight in pounds. That weight is the designated fixed weight of 500 sheets in the paper’s basic sheet size. Since the basic sheet size is not the same for all types of paper, papers with equivalent weights may not weigh the same amount per cubic foot. For example, 80 lb. cover stock comes in oversized sheets, so it would actually be a lighter stock than standard-sized 80 lb. text paper. Yes, it is confusing. Here are some types of paper and their typical uses: Bond: Uncoated. Twenty-pound bond is the standard for copy machines. Opaque: An economical paper, used for newsletters and direct mail pieces because there is little or no show-through from the front to back of a page. Available in cover and text weights, and always uncoated. Text: A high-quality paper used for books, magazines and annual reports. Text papers can be coated or uncoated, and weigh in the range of 70 to 80 lbs. Cover: Cover stock is typically used for postcards, business cards, brochure and annual report covers. Cover stocks can be coated or uncoated, and usually weigh between 60 and 100 lbs. Writing: Used for stationery, these papers are manufactured with special surface treatments to make sure the ink from pens and printing devices is not spread out by absorption. High quality writing paper includes a percentage of cotton. Writing papers are always uncoated, and are generally 20 to 24 lbs. Thanks to Betsy Mayo, of Smart Papers for providing the information for this article. Questions? Comments? If you have a topic you’d like to see covered in a future issue of Communiqué or have a questions on this topic, e-mail us at info@aarondesigninc.com. To re-read an article from a previous issue, go here.
	Aaron Design, Inc. creates innovative visual marketing solutions that capture the spirit of your company or the passions of your organization. We craft extraordinary designs for print, exhibits and electronic media, including:  Striking brand identities  Sophisticated marketing and corporate communications  Impressive and intelligent publications  Eye-catching, accessible websites  Inventive event and promotional materials Our award-winning team helps demanding corporate clients and non-profit organizations meet business goals. We’d love to help you meet yours. Contact us by e-mail info@aarondesigninc.com or call us at 212 414-1522.

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