A project came to InHouse recently that started out as a straightforward poster design and layout project. When discussing its application, however, the project was revised and become a successful and unique brochure. The brochure is an accordion "desk guide" which can be easily carried around and referred to for field reporting of health data. The resulting product got everyone's stamp of approval -- even Bill Gates!
Left, the front cover for this desk guide. The brochure has 5 folds/6 panels, unlike the typical brochure printed from an A4 size with 2 folds and three panels. This enabled us to put a lot of information into a document that would have otherwise been unwieldy. (If it was an A4 or A5 booklet for example, or as an A3 poster as originally planned). It was printed locally, another great thing.
The NGO that sponsored the project can be commended for their willingness to go beyond what their 'deliverable' was supposed to be and think not about what line-item requirement they were meeting with the project and instead really considered the practical use and intended audience -- health workers using this new mobile-phone based reporting system in the field.
The mobile phone reporting system replaces a paper-based system whereby malaria data was submitted monthly and compiled at a central location. This new system not only adds an element of accountability but also "enables health officials to better understand the disease burden and ensure that there are enough malaria supplies to support the community."
