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Entry Point
The physical or attentional entry into a design is called the entry point. The initial impression of the design--whether a church facility, a newsletter or mailing, or a worship service--is largely determined by the entry point. In creating entry points, the idea is to get people into and through the design, allowing them to collect the relevant information or experiences without distraction or deterrence. The book Universal Principles of Design suggests four elements of good entry points:
Minimal barriers. Congested parking lots, noisy crowds, unclear documents, poorly marked directionals--these are examples of barriers than hamper entry points. Barriers can be functional (a door is locked) or aesthetic (the landscape is poorly maintained). Anything that impedes a person from getting to and moving through the entry point is a barrier that needs to be removed.
Point of prospect. Entry points should help people orient themselves within the design and survey available options. Layout, signs, internet page navigation--all of these are points of prospect as someone enters a design. Points of prospect should give people sufficient time and space to review options without distraction or interruption For instance, they should not feel hurried or crowded by their surroundings, or have to wade through dozens of long paragraphs of text to find the area of information they are looking for.
Progressive lures. Lures are used to attract and pull people through an entry point. Progressive lures include headlines on a bulletin or newsletter, a display of items or signs pointing to destinations (like restrooms or telephones). Progressive lures help people approach, enter and move through the entry point.
When looking at your church, consider all of your entry points, physical, printed and online. At each of these points, examine the barriers, points of prospect and progressive lures you have in place, with the emphasis on maximizing a person's ability to approach, enter and move through the entry point. Highlighting, headlines, entry greeters, attractive landscaping and design, signs and popular information prominently displayed can create more effective entry points.
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