Employee Handbook Design
Background
Dirty Dough, a popular cookie company known for its delicious and creative approach to popular cookie flavors, approached me to revamp their employee handbook. The original document was a basic Word document, functional but dull, lacking the engaging and inviting quality that matched the company's vibrant brand identity. The goal was to create a handbook that not only conveyed essential information but also reflected the fun, warm, and creative spirit of Dirty Dough.
Objectives
- Enhance Visual Appeal: Transform the plain text into an engaging and visually appealing document.
- Reflect Brand Identity: Ensure the design aligns with Dirty Dough’s brand, which is playful, colorful, and inviting.
- Improve Readability: Organize content in a way that is easy to read and navigate.
- Encourage Engagement: Make the handbook something employees would want to look through and refer to.
Process
1. Initial Consultation
- Met with the Dirty Dough team to understand their brand, values, and specific requirements for the handbook.
- Reviewed the existing Word document to understand the structure and content that needed to be included.
2. Concept Development
- Developed several design concepts that incorporated elements of Dirty Dough’s brand, including color schemes, fonts, and imagery.
- Created mood boards to visualize how different elements would come together.
3. Design Execution
- Cover Page: Designed a vibrant cover page featuring Dirty Dough’s logo, playful graphics, and a welcoming message.
- Table of Contents: Created an interactive table of contents with clickable links to each section for easy navigation.
- Section Headers: Designed distinct headers for each section using colorful banners and fun fonts.
- Imagery: Incorporated high-quality images of Dirty Dough’s cookies, employees, and storefronts to break up text and add visual interest.
- Typography: Chose a mix of playful and professional fonts to maintain readability while reflecting the brand’s personality.
- Infographics and Icons: Used infographics and custom icons to represent key information and make complex details easier to understand.
4. Review and Revisions
- Presented the initial design to the Dirty Dough team for feedback.
- Made revisions based on their input, fine-tuning details to ensure the final product met all their expectations.
5. Final Delivery
- Delivered the final handbook as a high-quality PDF, ensuring it was ready for both digital distribution and print.
- Provided Dirty Dough with the source files for future updates and revisions.
Results
- Enhanced Employee Engagement: Employees found the new handbook more engaging and enjoyable to read.
- Brand Consistency: The handbook successfully reflected Dirty Dough’s brand identity, creating a cohesive experience for employees.
- Positive Feedback: The company received positive feedback from employees, appreciating the effort put into creating an inviting and informative document.
- Easy Navigation: The interactive table of contents and clear section headers improved the usability of the handbook.
Conclusion
Transforming Dirty Dough’s employee handbook from a basic Word document into a visually engaging and brand-consistent piece was a rewarding project. By incorporating the company’s playful and inviting identity into the design, I was able to create a handbook that not only provided essential information but also fostered a sense of connection and enthusiasm among employees.
This case study highlights the importance of aligning design with brand values and the positive impact it can have on employee engagement and satisfaction.
