RFP for Bloordale Neighbourhood Publication

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND

Bloordale Village BIA is one of 83 BIAs (Business Improvement Area) in the City of Toronto and is currently accepting proposals to create an inaugural neighbourhood publication. 

This magazine will focus on creating a printed publication with transferable elements to digital platforms that highlights our community, primarily focusing on the member BIA businesses. Each member business must be listed in the publication at least once. 

The purpose of this Request for Proposal is to solicit pitches from design firms and/or individual designers who can deliver a publication concept that meets these explicit audience goals and shares a passion for our community.

Extraordinary proposals will include an understanding of our history, mission, current brand identity, and the potential for a pivotal evolution in our print design that informs all our existing platforms moving forward. Ideal proposals will come from the communities we aim to reach.

Bloordale Village BIA was founded in 1976 and was one of the first BIAs formed in the world. Bloordale is an extremely diverse neighbourhood with a mix of creativity, grittiness, and good food! 

Find out more about Bloordale Village BIA at bloordalevillagebia.com.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

This Request for Proposal represents our requirements for a magazine that is deeply informed by multiple designers or a design team that offers perspectives and concepts from our target audience. Proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. EST on March 11, 2020.

If the designer or design team submitting a proposal will be subcontracting any work in order to complete requirements for this project (such as photographers, graphic designers, etc), each instance must be clearly stated on the proposal. Details on each subcontractor, including name and a link to the subcontractor’s work, must also be included. 

All costs should be itemized and clearly explained. 

Contract terms and conditions will be negotiated upon selection of the accepted proposal. All contractual terms and conditions will be subject to review by the Bloordale Village BIA and will include scope, budget, schedule, and other necessary items as pertaining to the project.

PROJECT PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION

Bloordale Village requires a visual design, layout, editorial team and photography team to showcase the member businesses alongside unique and positive elements of the community. There are so many untold stories and tales that lay within the neighbourhood that need to be captured and shared. 

Design a publication that makes community members  want to learn more about the businesses in the neighbourhood and visit them! 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This design should incorporate the rich history of Bloordale Village. Subtle nods to the BIA’s evolution will be appreciated. The publication should be undeniably page-turning, with an even mix of photography, intentional illustration, and clear, clean use of type. Above all else, the publication should be a product that can never be mistaken for a real estate ad, or another toss-away flyer. 

PROJECT SCOPE

The scope of this project includes design and layout, editing, writing, photography and supporting in the sponsorship efforts to increase the revenue generated through selected ad placements. 

The selected design team will be responsible for working with our BIA Manager and some Board Members to help guide some of the elements of the magazine and to make connections with individual community members or businesses. 

The selected team  will also be responsible for conducting necessary audience feedback and industry analysis. The following must be met to achieve a successful project:

Deliverables:

Deliver complete templates for designing various types of interior pages (plus covers) of a  full-color magazine/publication, which will provide a flexible but distinct structure to work with in designing the actual magazine.

• Include distinct designs for major sections as well as individual pages for table of     , masthead, and contributors’ pages.
• Each section has a unique purpose and requires a specific visual identity within the design system. Sections to be developed with the editorial team members and the Marketing Committee of the Bloordale Village BIA 
• Provide framework for ad pages, as well as ad-page templates: interior, inside covers, back cover
  
  
  

Process Considerations:


Bloordale Village will provide notes, on an ongoing basis,  summarizing work and decisions from the Marketing Committee or Board including:

• List of updated member businesses (may be a working list as this can change month-to-month)
• List of approved types of ads or sponsorships 
• Acceptable placement of where ads can be throughout the publication
• Brand elements that must be included
• List of topics that will NOT be appropriate for the magazine (may be a working list)
• Relevant thumbnail sketches to describe function of specific pages within sections, if helpful
• Brand elements that must be included (logo/masthead, cover elements, etc. partnership logos, etc)
• Target-audience information
• Print specifications (including trim size of magazine)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND PROJECT TIMELINE

• Consider that this magazine could feed into a website iterative design and version, social media, .
• Approach the work with a content-driven approach that highlights work or accomplishments of small businesses, art in the community, and the history of the community 
• Display an open, collaborative approach, welcoming of feedback but with a distinct design point of view. 
• We will rely on your expertise and preferences to develop our more specific schedule for design, including additional discovery and ways to engage our team (design, and editorial stakeholders) at key points in the process.

PROJECT TIMELINE

• Discovery must be completed by August 1st, 2020 (this date is slightly negotiable). 
• Design and Development must be completed by August 30th, 2020 (this date is slightly negotiable). 
• Files must be ready for implementation by September 15th, 2020 (this date is non-negotiable).

PROJECT BUDGET: 

• $20000 - FIRM (HST can be charged separately and is not considered part of the total project budget)
• Does not include hard copy printing costs - final look, size, finish and material will be jointly discussed between the BIA and the vendor
• This project budget includes all sub-contractor fees and any other  fees needed to complete the design, curation, photography, editing, etc. There is no room for any overages in charges and will not be accepted.

Please submit your proposals or questions to bloordaleinfo@gmail.com.