At the Language Centre’s Unit for Document Design, we create professional communication. Not only do we write to inspire, inform or instruct but also to persuade and to motivate. And we always take our cue from the readers.
We deliver our services to a wide variety of corporate clients but our focus is to add value within the University community. We recently, for example, embarked on a project with the Centre for Student Communities (CSC).
The CSC plays a crucial role in helping students to adjust to their new surroundings and to start their journey well prepared for the academic and social demands that will be placed on them. It does this by organising the much-anticipated Welcoming Programme every year.
Before students even arrive on campus, they should already have a clear idea of what to expect from the Welcoming Period. The CSC approached the Unit for Document Design at the Language Centre for assistance. Its brief was clear: create a document that conveys the excitement that the University feels when welcoming new students to campus. The document should also encourage the students to take responsibility for their own preparation by making the most of the Welcoming Period.
In-depth interviews and information provided by the client brought insights into what works and what does not. We also put ourselves in the shoes of the students to imagine the kinds of questions that they might have. We tried different styles and layouts and finally created a product that we feel answers the readers’ questions about the Welcoming Period and conveys to them the responsibility that they have in taking charge of their own journey. You can read the letter here.
If you would like to talk to us about the quality of your existing documents or if you need help in creating new documents, please contact Liezl van Zyl at 021 808 2182.
This post is also available in: English
