That same approach led to a second postcard focused specifically on 311. Residents frequently contacted our office first to report potholes, graffiti, trash, drainage, and other service concerns when the first step was actually submitting a request through 311. I designed the postcard to make that process clearer—showing residents the types of issues they could report and providing direct access to download the 311 app.
Visually, I kept both pieces bold, colorful, and easy to scan, using oversized typography, strong color blocking, and prominent QR codes so they could function as quick-reference tools rather than traditional government mailers.
From everyday questions to everyday resources.
Some of the most useful communications projects start by simply paying attention to the questions people ask again and again.
Working in the District 8 Office under then-Councilman Manny Pelaez, I collaborated closely with our Constituent Services team to identify some of the most common questions and concerns they received from residents by phone, email, and in person. I used that feedback to develop a series of postcards that could proactively put helpful City resources directly into residents' hands.
The first brought several frequently requested online resources together in one place. Based on the questions our office regularly received, I created a colorful, easy-to-navigate resource featuring direct QR-code access to information on Public Works projects, homeless encampments, waste collection, short-term rentals, and dangerous-dog reporting. Rather than expecting residents to know where to search across the City's website, the postcard gave them a simple starting point for finding the information they needed.
