Prisma

PRISMA is a relatively small commercial unit located at the Aurelec premises which specialises in the preparation and production of print, design, publicity and communication material, plus the editing of all forms of literature from leaflets to books. It was set up in 1999 to provide a comprehensive service to Aurovilians needing help in these fields, though it has also done - and continues to do - work for others outside Auroville.

The team

The unit was started by 'old timers' Aurovilians Franz (from Germany) and Tim (from the U.K.), both of whom have professional backgrounds of many years in advertising, public relations and marketing services in Europe. Franz as an Art Director (see also his page in Art & Culture) in a leading agency in Hamburg, and Tim for 8 years in account management in major agencies in London, followed by 5 years as a PR & Marketing Services Executive in multinational BOC Ltd.

Another member of the team is well known local photographer John Mandeen (see also his page in Art & Culture), whose photos have been appearing in Auroville publications and exhibitions for the past 20 years or more. His personal archive of photographic material, both black & white and colour, is almost certainly the most complete of any photographer known to Auroville. The team is assisted in their work by Ganesh from nearby Cuddalore (T.N.) who takes care of the DTP work involved.

Activities

Major jobs PRISMA has carried out for Auroville in the past year or two have included the photo exhibition at the Visitors Centre, the new 40-page Auroville Brochure, a series of 90 x 140 cms colour plotter print-out photo exhibition panels on the International Zone and Savitri Bhavan for this year's AVI meeting in St. Petersburg, a 36-page brochure on SAIIER plus 2 supporting publications, the Auroville Telephone & E-mail Directory, and various other leaflets, brochures, labels and stationery requirements for a variety of clients within Auroville and outside. On an ongoing basis the unit also handles DTP work and printing for the quarterly 'Invocation' journal for Savitri Bhavan and the 4-monthly Matrimandir Journal, and prepares text and design/layout for the quarterly AV Outreach Newsletter. And oh yes, Tim also helps with the editing of this website!

Steady help to Aurovilians

PRISMA's day to day work includes preparation of text (in English, though other European languages and Tamil can also be arranged) and conceptual designs/layouts through to the finished product - including arranging original photography where required - for leaflets, brochures, books, journals, newsletters, posters, calendars, stationery & visiting cards, advertisements, display material, exhibitions and press releases. The unit also makes itself available to Aurovilians and others needing help in the setting up of local web sites, specially as regards the drafting of good English text and the supply of appropriate illustrations, whether photographic or hand drawn.

Contact prisma@auroville.org.in