Community Ties is a directory of local businesses that offer discounts to members of Brooklyn’s Park Slope Food Coop. The twice-a-year publication has grown with each new edition, and now includes more than 300 listings over 36 pages. With that many businesses all vying for attention and often using lengthy descriptions, the newsletter has the potential to be a chore or a bore to read and revisit.

I gave the publication a light makeover when I took over design chores several years ago. I used fonts more consistently and opened up more space to improve readability. Perhaps just as important, I make sure to incorporate lighthearted and eye-catching illustrations throughout each issue.

With these design improvements, Community Ties has been getting more applicants interested in showcasing their businesses to members.