We were asked by the Capital and Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) to redesign the printed material and resources for the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Course (adults). The current materials are outdated and uninviting for the users, this results in a lack of engagement and motivation. They wanted something that had a calming visual aesthetic, that was subtle and would relate to the patients.
We would redesign 4 booklets, a diary book, and various resources and sheets used in the meetings.
The CCDHB is limited with funds, and cannot afford to spend large amounts of money to reproduce and print. We needed to provide them with a low cost solution that was easy enough for them to reproduce in their offices.
We produced two versions of each booklet. The first book is the ‘recommended version’, it uses colour printing, rounded edges, sew binding and is slightly smaller than an A4. Overall it is more aesthetically pleasing. Reproduction cost was slightly higher and required more work to put together.
The second version is A4 sized, printed in black and white with a clean staple bind. This option is easy to reproduce in the office and is cheaper to print.
Design wise our focus was to make sure the users could navigate the booklet easy, and weren’t smothered with information. We made sure to utilise negative space, and added a checklist at the end of the booklet to ensure they didn’t forget a section. We maintained the ideas or mindfulness and reflection through our patterned covers and choice of imagery throughout the books. Due to the sensitivity of the subject, it was crucial that we made sure that the language and imagery didn’t come across as patronising or demeaning to the users of the booklets.
