Design Guidelines
Using the Grid System- Simplified
Should you find yourself designing covers or posters, pay attention to this section. |
For basic administrative users, the grid system is important primarily for cover designs and posters. The reason for this system is to establish and maintain a unified look for all Ramapo College printed communications.
Regardless of specific content or message of printed communications, materials should:
- Clearly display the Ramapo College logo in either the top left or bottom right corner of the cover.
- Present a consistent visual identity for the College that is both academic and sophisticated.
- Reinforce that identity with organized, clear, clean, and dynamic layouts.
The "Two-Fifths, Three-Fifths" Rule
...two-fifths of the page is white space, three-fifths is image space. |
Refer to the illustrations below. The play space is indicated in gray. The white space houses the logo and minimal amounts of type. The play space contains anything from photos to illustrations to type and collage that illustrates the content of the particular piece. Remember the "Two-Fifths, Three-Fifths Rule"; two-fifths of the page is white space, three-fifths is image space.
Ramapo College Logo Placement
The Ramapo logo should always be placed in the top left corner or lower right corner. These are the preferred positions.
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The Ramapo College logo should always appear in the top left corner or bottom right corner. |
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Use of Color
The more colors used, the more expensive the job will be. Know your budget before designing or requesting color in a job. There are standard color choices for Ramapo College work.
One-Color Printing
For one-color printing, the only acceptable colors are PMS 202 or black.
Two-Color Printing
For two-color printing, you must always use black plus a PMS color. We recommend the PMS be PMS 202C.
Should you design something that uses a color other than the burgundy PMS 202C, the Ramapo College logo must appear in black.
Four-Color Printing
The Ramapo College color is burgundy PMS 202C. |
The next level above two-color printing is four-color. While a document can be printed in three colors, it is not economical to do so. Four-color printing can be done in two ways:
- using a color copy machine or printer.
- sending the job to a traditional press for printing.
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Paper Stock
Paper stock, finish, weight, and brightness will vary a great deal based upon your physical form, budget, and printer availability. In general, paper stock should be a bright white in the weight and finish appropriate to your printed piece.
Some types of communications require specific types of paper stock.
Please contact Publications and Advertising or the Print Shop if you have any questions about paper or color printing.
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Content Requirements
Slogan Usage
The slogan "New Jersey's Public Liberal Arts College" should appear on the cover of any printed communication for student recruitment or from the Admissions Office.
Contact Information
Contact information including phone number, Web address, e-mail (if applicable) and the name of the school, department, or unit should appear on the back of all communications. If it is impossible to put on the back of a piece (e.g. direct mail) then contact information should appear on the inside.
Phone Numbers
Phone numbers should be written using periods after the exchange - i.e. 201.684.7500 is correct;
201-684-7500 or (201) 684-7500 are incorrect.
Disability/Publications/Anti-Discrimination/Fax Statements
Text for each of these statements can also be found on the website.
The Disability Statement
The Disability Statement must be placed on the back of events related materials. If placement on the back is impossible, the inside is the second preference.
To request disability-related accommodations please call at least 48 hours in advance. 201.684.
(insert four digit extension of the appropriate sponsoring unit).
The Publications Statement
The Publications Statement regarding disability must be placed on the back of publications. If placement on the back is impossible, the inside is the second preference. This statement should also be posted on the Ramapo College Web site.
Portions of this publication can be made available through alternative methods, upon request, through the Office of (sponsoring unit) at 201.684. (insert four-digit extension of the appropriate sponsoring unit). Please allow 48 hours notice.
The Anti-Discrimination Statement
The Anti-Discrimination Statement must be placed on the back of personnel related materials or job ads. If placement on the back is impossible, the inside is the second preference. This statement should also be posted on the Ramapo College Web site.
Ramapo College of New Jersey provides equal opportunities in all areas of employment regardless of race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, veteran status, or affectional or sexual orientation. All actions regarding its employees, students, College-related activities, or personnel contracts will be governed by an Affirmative Action Plan in compliance with College policy and applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Affirmative Action and Compliance, room D-105, (201) 684 - 7656.
The Fax Statement
The Fax Statement must be on communications sent from the College via facsimile. It is built into the template on the website.
Important Confidentiality Notice
The documents and materials contained within this facsimile transmission from Ramapo College of New Jersey may include information, which is privileged or confidential. Both the documents and the information contained therein are intended only for the use of the individual or entity named on this cover sheet. If you or your entity are not the intended recipient and have received this transmission in error, you are hereby notified that reading, copying, disclosing, distributing or disseminating these papers, or the information contained therein, in any way whatsoever, is strictly prohibited, and that the documents and papers so received must be returned to Ramapo College of New Jersey immediately. If you have received this facsimile transmission in error, please contact the phone number at the upper right of this page at once so that we might arrange to recover the transmitted documents at no cost to you. Thank you.
Directions to the College
Directions to the College should be included in communications that request or imply the recipient visit the College (e.g. invitations, brochures, admissions materials, Web site, etc.)
Directions are not required on stationery, individual items within a package already containing directions, or communications distributed at the College (e.g. business cards, items within a folder, programs).
For updated text and directions, visit the Ramapo College Web site at: http://www.ramapo.edu/about/visitors/drivingdirections.html
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Posters
Remember, all posters must be approved BEFORE they are printed by Marketing and Communications. Allow one week for that review.
Should you need a poster designed, contact Marketing and Communications to set up an appointment.
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Event Programs
Remember, all event programs must be approved BEFORE they are printed by Marketing and Communications. Allow one week for that review.
Should you need an event program designed, contact Marketing and Communications to set up an appointment at least four weeks prior to the event.
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Flyer Templates
The Flyer Templates are built in Microsoft Word®. They are formatted so that you can create and laser print a flyer for posting within the College. Add copy, graphics, or change the layout as needed.
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Download Microsoft Word Template (DOT)
(Right-click link and select "Save Link As")
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Certificates and Plaques
Certificates
To create certificates use the templates supplied on the website. Here are two examples:
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Plaques, Crystals, or Other Gift Items
Occasionally, Ramapo College presents awards and acknowledgements to members of the College or the greater community. Plaques, trophies, gifts of crystal, or other acknowledgements must follow all rules for the Ramapo College logo.
Prior to implementation, the Office of Marketing and Communications must approve all plaque, trophy or gift designs.
Please be sure to allow extra time in your schedule for any changes that may be required for you to make.
Please be aware that an electronic file of the Ramapo College logo may be required. The Office of Marketing and Communications will be happy to supply one directly to your vendor.
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Advertisements
Requests for Advertisements
Quick Checklist for Program Ads Please have these materials ready before you contact Publications and Advertising.
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All advertisements must be reviewed by the Office of Marketing and Communications in advance (this review does not include position announcements).
To request a program or event advertisement to be designed and placed, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at least two weeks prior to the publication's drop deadline for the ads.
Should you want to develop a specific advertising series over a period of time, please contact the department at least six months in advance so that a program can be developed.
Institutional Advertising
The Office of Marketing and Communications oversees the development and implementation of College image advertising. Contact that office with any questions regarding image advertising.
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Signage
As of this publication, a Signage Master Plan is under development. However, to be clear, signage at the College can be broken down into two categories, "Directional" and "Promotional."
- Directional signage is signage that provides directions, room numbers, building identification, or some other specific information or direction.
- Promotional signage promotes the College or its programs, e.g., a banner with the school logo or a sign promoting an event. Promotional signage tends to be impermanent or situational.
Signage also will vary greatly in the materials and limitations presented by those materials, depending on its use, location, lifespan, and cost. It is our intention to provide functional guidelines for creating a cohesive look for signage.
Before beginning any signage project check with the Office of Facilities Management, (201) 684 - 7666, for specific vendors, materials, and placements.
Temporary Event Signage
A simple temporary event signage template can be found in the templates section of this guide and are built into Microsoft Word®. It can be used to quickly make simple signs for guiding visitors around the campus.
Use them when you need to make directional signs quickly for an on-campus event
Should you have any other signage requests or questions, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Signage Templates
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Horizontal Arrows - Download Microsoft Word Template (DOT)
(Right-click link and select "Save Link As")
Vertical Arrow - Download Microsoft Word Template (DOT)
(Right-click link and select "Save Link As")
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Report Cover
The Report Cover template is built in Microsoft Word®. The first page of the template is the cover itself. The second page of the template is a blank page with a report title header and footer. The second page is blank to allow you to begin writing your report within the same file as the cover page for the report.
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Download Microsoft Word Template (DOT)
(Right-click link and select "Save Link As")
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Proposals
When creating proposals for grants, fellowships, or other uses, please use the cover templates provided on the website (if the granting authority has its own specific guidelines, please adhere to them). Internal pages should be printed in the Stone Sans and Stone Serif campus font. The Ramapo College logo should appear in the footer of every page.
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