When our children were 6 and 3, they wanted a pet. At school, Becca took out a piece of paper and drew a picture of herself walking a dog and inside she wrote the words. “Dear Dad, I really want a dog… I will walk it 5 times a day. And I will clean its poop and pee.” And then, her teacher added her name. This was her first contract and a keepsake that we still have to this day…she is 19. Funny, we did get a golden retriever, Sly, 4 years later. On numerous occasions when Becca and her brother whined about their responsibilities, we would pull out the “contract” to remind them of her promise.
Imagine a paperless world in which this “promise” would have been emailed to my inbox. Do you think I could locate it again 3 years later, 5 years later…or even now, after the dog has since passed, which is 13 years after it was originally written? How about a first Communion program, a wedding invitation, your first business card? These are keepsakes that when you pick them up bring back a wave of emotions. And these feelings are communicated not only with words but through your sense of touch. Think about your favorite celebrity or sports weekly magazine. Do you read your iPad version cover-to-cover. Probably not. It isn’t the same as flopping the magazine over your lap in front of the TV and leafing through the glossy pages with their bright photos.
Communication is a sensory experience. Remember this when you are trying to get and keep someone interested in you, your product and/or ideas. They need to feel connected. You want them to feel a connection. So, seriously consider the medium you will choose to spread your word. Consider the paper you will use…the color, the weight and even the texture. The more senses you can engage, the more likely they will retain your message. And, if the combination of your message and design is exceptional, they may even remember it 3, 5 or 13 years later.
The Dog Contract
Sweet moments captured on paper
