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Official Ramapo College Print Design Standard: Home

Need for a Standard

In its most basic form, a logo serves as a simple signature for an organization. It is the symbol that identifies the organization to the various publics it serves. As the organization becomes more complex, the logo serves as a link between varying entities presenting a common image for diverse programs.

For an organization as large and diverse as Ramapo College, the challenge of presenting a unified image is crucial. The atmosphere of competition for prospective students and funds demands an immediately recognizable image with which to identify the College. Such an image can only be created through determined and deliberate execution of a well-conceived identity plan.

The cornerstone of a successful identity is a logo. How the logo is used and how it is not used defines the public image of Ramapo College. The publication of this complete design standard guide initiates the careful execution of Ramapo College's overall identity.

In creating these usage guidelines it is our intent to present the logo, and therefore the College, in a strong, clear, and direct fashion. We are attempting to do nothing less than make the Ramapo College logo a symbol - immediately recognizable and unquestionable. Eventually a viewer should not have to "read" the logotype but merely "see" it and think "Ramapo College."

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What You'll Find in This Guide

The Ramapo College Design Standard contains the instruction guide document (which is also available on the Ramapo College Communications Site (http://www.ramapo.edu/communications/). It describes the basics of how to apply the design standards to whatever basic communication media you might be creating and tools you need to begin applying this design standard.

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Using This Guide

In creating these usage guidelines it is our intent to present the logo, and therefore the College, in a strong, clear, and direct fashion.

A design standard is worthless if no one uses it. Therefore it is incumbent upon you, the users, to carry out the intent of this document and maintain the standard of Ramapo College. Accordingly, your experiences in using this document are important to its success. As you encounter problems, concerns, and unaddressed communications challenges please register them with Marketing and Communications at (201) 684-7887
so that your concerns may be addressed in future reviews of this Standard. We have made every effort to make the instructions clear and to create a design system that will ensure flexibility as well as standardization.

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Production Steps for Publications

Copy Jobs

Most routine copy jobs are completed in two days.
For more complex print projects, please consult with the Director of Publications to schedule accordingly.

Build in four full weeks for the Office of Publications to design and print complex jobs. (For example, the 200 page Scholarship Book).

Quick Checklist
Please have these materials ready before you contact Publications for jobs requiring design and layout.

Final and approved copy
Artwork for the piece
Deadlines for mailing delivery
Banner code(s)
Print quantity

Any job that does not require design or layout work should be send directly to the Print Shop via our online Print Shop Pro Software WebDesk. This online system may be accessed at printshop.ramapo.edu. All jobs will be checked by Print Shop staff to ensure proper logo usage. The Print Shop will complete your request in one to two weeks.

The Print Shop can be contacted directly at (201) 684-7840. For a list of Print Shop services, please refer to Appendix C. The Print Shop is not responsible for delivery of completed items.

All Other Internal and External Publications

All internal and external publications requiring any layout or design work must begin production in the Office of Publications and must be signed off by the director. Supervisors are responsible for unit members' compliance.

The first step is to set up an appointment with the director of Publications. For this appointment you will need: final copy and all available graphic images, including photographs. Be prepared to answer questions regarding print quantity, budget code(s), intended audience, size, and deadlines. The director and the graphic designer may have suggestions, but it is suggested that you take everything you have to the appointment. Final copy must be on a disk or sent as an e-mail attachment.

The director will review copy, graphics, and photography and decide on assigning design to the campus designer or an off-campus freelancer/firm. If photography needs to be scheduled, build in extra time for this review. The director will determine whether the job will be printed on- or off-campus. This will be determined by a number of factors specific to your publication, including the intended audience, size of the brochure, technical requirements, etc. If the job is to be printed off-campus, the director of publications must oversee the process to ensure at least three quotations are submitted by external vendors.

Once a first round proof of the job is complete, it will be sent to you for proofing and/or approval. From there, the publication is sent back to the designer so that changes may be made. The job must be proofread each time there are changes. The director will proof the job one final time before it is sent to print.

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