Greatheart Consulting accessible article template design

“We’ve been working to make sure all of our materials are fully accessible. We still have a ways to go, but I have learned so much from this process and from working with the experts at Gratzer Graphics to help us take the steps we have taken so far—and to help guide us in the steps we still need to take. If you don’t know much about accessibility or think that accessibility is primarily in what colors you use, then I encourage you to sign up for their newsletter. Lots of helpful tips and general learning on what accessibility means.”

Janai Wallace

Background

The client helps business leaders to remove bias and be more inclusive.

Problem

The client needed a new template designed for the articles they give to their clients as PDFs. The articles needed to have a consistent and branded look but not look exactly the same and allow for flexibility in their designs.

The design of the materials needed to reflect what Greatheart Consulting teaches: diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. It also needed to be more fun rather than “researchy” or technical, inspire curiosity, be relatable and engaging, and highlight key information.

They also wanted them to be accessible documents, especially because they help leaders be more inclusive.

Solution

We used some the block-style brand elements to maintain brand consistency while creatively using color and icons to make the design fun and to highlight key points.

We chose photos of people of various ethnicities engaged in conversation to make the design relatable.

We also assessed their brand color palette and modified their brand style guide, so that they know which color combinations they can use together accessibly and for which purposes.

Summary of the Work

Accessible design and layout in InDesign
PDF accessibility work
Accessibility audit of the brand color guide

Deliverables

We provided an accessible PDF meeting WCAG and PDF/UA criteria as well as performed manual checks for accessibility and good usability.

Medium

Digital

Client

Greatheart Consulting, Seattle, WA

Industry

Consulting

Greatheart Consulting accessible article template design

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