Concept:
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit the northeastern part of Japan on March 11, 2011. More than ten
thousand people were killed and approximately fifteen thousand people are still missing from
this disaster and the following tsunami as of April 9. Japan was not the only country hit by a
major earthquake; New Zealand and Chile also suffered very recently. Some geologists actually
predict a major earthquake in North America is imminent (O’Sullivan, 2011) and some of those
who live along the Pacific Ocean (such as in Los Angeles and Vancouver) are taking the threat
very seriously. Being prepared helps people in the aftermath of these emergencies and perhaps it
is for this reason that the Japanese have managed so well recently. Based on my own experience
in an earthquake in 1995 and seeing how people reacted, I have designed a tri-fold earthquake
preparedness brochure to raise awareness of an imminent disaster, to inform people about the
effects of earthquakes and tsunamis and how best to prepare.
Target audience:
The target audience is disaster-conscious young adults of the West Coast of British Columbia,
including Vancouver Island. I particularly focused on students at Simon Fraser University, since
the brochures will be handed out there.
Objective:

To inform people of the terrible effects of earthquakes and tsunamis.

To show what to prepare for an emergency.

To provide information that people will want to read
I chose a pamphlet as the medium rather than posters so people can take it home. I intentionally
put cheerful-looking images on this brochure rather than using images of disasters because some
reports advised that watching too much television footage of destruction can cause symptoms
related to post traumatic stress disorder (Garrett, 2011). In addition, I personally have been
given a brochure having many painful images before and did not feel like reading or keeping it.
As I wanted the brochure to be something that people will want to read, positive images will
help achieve that goal, while leaving the contents practical and to the point.
Method:
Using information design techniques, I used the information and data collected to make the
brochure visually appealing and the information easy to understand. I used signs to help the
target audience understand the information faster and easier. For instance, an exclamation mark
signifies especially important information to remark and the image of tsunami is a sign of
hazard zone to urge people to go to higher ground or inland in case of emergency.
Design Process:
In Adobe InDesign, I designed a tri-fold, two-sided brochure using a template with a total of six
panels. The cover page shows an image of destruction caused by an earthquake as background
because this is the main theme of the brochure. On top of this background image, are the words
“EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI.” They are capitalized to make them stand out. The SFU
Communication logo is at the bottom right hand corner since this brochure is made by a student
in SFU Communications.
Page one, the first inside panel, contains a story of the terrible damage an earthquake and
tsunami can cause in B.C. There is an image that indicates tsunami run-up potential areas to
show the target audience how the disaster could affect us. This image was made based on the
fact that a destructive tsunami struck Vancouver Island in March 1964 after the huge Alaska
earthquake. The image was taken from Natural Resources Canada’s website.
The middle hand panel, or page two, has an emergency preparedness check list. This includes
things to include in an emergency supply kit such, as prescription medicines, a first aid kit, a
portable radio, and so forth. Beside each item is a small box to check off that the item is in the
supply kit. The third panel, or page three, focuses on what to do during and after an earthquake
and shows a child taking shelter under a table.
The fourth panel, the flap, explains what to do during and after tsunami warning is explained. It
includes a dramatic picture of a well-known Japanese ukiyo-e because it symbolizes how
powerful and frightening tsunamis are. Information on the second, third, and fourth panel was
taken from Earthquake and Tsunami Smart Manual created by the Ministry of Public Safety and
Solicitor General in British Columbia.
On the back cover, the panel right beside the cover page, I added some information about SFU’s
emergency plan, including how and where to evacuate. The phone number for SFU Burnaby
Campus Security is displayed at the bottom.
References
Garrett, L. (2011, March 20). Don’t panic the people. Retrieved from
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/17/garrett.japan.panic.amygdala/?hpt=C2
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. (n.d.). Earthquake and tsunami smart manual.
Retrieved from
http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/Earthquake_and_Tsunami_Smart_Manual.
pdf
Natural Resources Canada. (2008, January 2). Geoscape Canada. Retrieved from
http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/nanaimo/tsunami_e.php
O’Sullivan, J. (2011, March 22). Higher earthquake risk now imminent say two leading experts.
Retrieved from
http://www.suite101.com/content/high-earthquake-risk-now-imminent-say-two-leadi
ng-experts-a360905
Simon Fraser University. (n.d.). SFU Burnaby evacuation. Retrieved from
http://www.ehs.sfu.ca:8666/index.php/general/details/sfu_burnaby/