Visual Identity

1. The department’s budget coordinator must complete a purchase requisition form for the publication if the publication will be printed off-campus.
2. Freelance and student designers must sign and date a contract verifying their understanding that, upon completion, all work will become the intellectual property of the university and that no further royalties will ensue. The university is thereby protected from any misunderstandings concerning royalties or accessibility to artwork the designer has created. Ultimately this supports the university’s effort to maintain a certain caliber of work and empowers the designer to consider university requirements in establishing contract terms.
3. Copy for the publication should be written and submitted to University Communications and Marketing for review. Copy is edited in accordance with the university AP style guide. In the case of minor copy updates, only updated copy needs to be submitted.
4. The designer should determine photography needs. Existing photographs taken by the university are available digitally in University Communications and Marketing. The designer can contact the Director of Printing and Creative Services for more information.
5. The designer should lay out the publication to determine specifics such as size, number of pages and folds.
6. If the publication will be printed off-campus, the designer must complete South Carolina Printing Specifications sheets and submit it to Purchasing electronically. The printing specifications sheets tell the printer all about the job: the type of paper and number of pages, the number and color of inks, the size of the finished job, the type of folds and bindery, and, most importantly, the copy-ready date. An accurate copy-ready date helps the printer schedule your job for time on press. The specs sheet should also include important contact information in case the printer has any questions once they receive the job. The printer will also use the contact information to send printer proofs to the designer.
7. Many projects are updated from the previous year. In this case, the printing specs sheets can be very similar to the previous year’s, but the specs sheets should be reviewed and copy-ready date must be updated before sending them to Purchasing.
8. Typically, when a freelance or student designer is handling a job, they complete the specs sheets on their own. University Communications and Marketing can review specs sheets if needed.
9. The specs sheets must be submitted to Purchasing at least two weeks before the copy-ready date.
10. The designer designs the publication. The finished design must correspond with the specifications listed on the specs sheets. University Communications and Marketing is available at any time during the design process for consultation or review of design. Especially with new publications, it is helpful to obtain early design approval instead of waiting until the end of the production process.
11. The freelance or student designer submits the design and copy to University Communications and Marketing for final review to ensure consistency with the Visual Identity Manual and AP style guide. Please allow time for the review of materials, as well as time for the designer to make any changes needed.
12. The designer makes any necessary changes and sends the file to the printer. If Printing Services will be printing the piece, a printing request form must be completed and submitted along with the file.
13. The printer’s proofs will come to the attention of the designer. The proofs should be reviewed immediately and any necessary changes noted. Return proofs to the printer the same day, if possible.

Therefore, two digital copies of the final art should be provided upon completion of the project — one copy for departmental reference and one copy to be forwarded to the Senior Designer in University Communications and Marketing. The latter should include compilation art, all fonts, and all high-resolution photos and graphics required for final printing.