RFP Template System
I created a robust template system for assembling RFPs and RFQs quickly and efficiently. My goal was to make the final documents visually attractive while still complying with formal requests and a strict structure. The main template is built from multiple sub-templates, allowing plenty of flexibility and variations. I designed it so that anyone with basic InDesign skills can put it together — or at least, that’s the plan!
Covers
Since the company sometimes issued multiple proposals in a week, I designed a variety of covers to help differentiate them at a glance. I created multiple color schemes that could complement both the cover photo and the overall document. For proposals that didn’t have a strong cover image available, I built a flexible template that used a Google Earth view instead — making sure the front still looked visually pleasing and interesting.
Core Information Pages
I designed multiple options for the standard company info pages, including the table of contents, firm overview, company statements, and more. These options could be easily adapted depending on the specific requirements of each RFP or RFQ.
Chapter Breaks
Formal documents can get pretty dense, so to make things a little easier (and more pleasant) to navigate, I added full-page chapter breaks. These pages help organize the flow and act as visual pauses, giving readers a clearer structure and a little breathing room.
Internal Pages
Internal pages that were heavy on text were balanced out with plenty of images. Photos of completed projects not only showcased the company’s experience, but also helped tell a stronger story. The copy was broken into smaller blocks to keep the layout visually interesting and easy to read. Cut sheets for individual projects were created as separate files, making it easy to mix and match for quick assembly.
Conclusion
What used to be a process that caused me a lot of perspiration has now become efficient, streamlined, and quick. Unfortunately, despite the faster assembly, the habit of hitting the send button mere seconds before the deadline hasn’t changed...
