TACEC wanted a kit folder with a custom-built design to accommodate their most important communications collateral. We took an iterative approach to fulfil this request, including several rounds of prototyping mockups. Our objective was to create a document that could serve as a marketing and communications piece to provide info to ACEC's members and gain recognition with the public. We needed to make sure the collateral it housed could fit comfortably in the pockets, organized purposefully to allow for an intuitive user experience while utilizing the folder.
Our design solution needed to create harmony in functionality and form – we used the visual design language to influence the construction of the folder, and vice versa. The kit folder background was developed using an isometric grid, a visual motif in the ACEC brand, which helped direct the placement of elements.
At its fullest capacity – the ACEC kit folder can hold their Membership brochure and insert, Awards Booklet, business card and USB – all at once. It neatly packages ACEC's communications collateral and can be tailored to specific audiences while maintaining an elegant appearance.
ACEC produces an awards book for their annual Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards gala, so we designed the main pocket to contain it. Since the booklet is a fluid publication and the page count varies from year to year, we included space that would accommodate each of the previous four publications, with extra room for papers or brochures.
The ACEC business card fits seamlessly into its custom-cut section, the angles of the die-cut matching the ones in the isometric grid, allowing the folder to look good with and without a business card. Because of the angular design, the business card can be removed and re-inserted without bending or causing damage to the folder or the card.
We designed the USB slot to accept most slim-fitting commercially available USBs, blend into the design without causing unsightly disruption and, most importantly, reliably hold the USB in place.