Digital and Print Design

Digital and Print Design guidelines

The Office of Marketing and Communications provides professional design services that advance SUNY Fredonia’s recruitment, fundraising, brand and strategic communication goals. Because the number of requests often exceeds the design team’s capacity, projects are evaluated and scheduled according to institutional priority, audience, impact and available resources.
 

Project priorities

NOTE: Placement within a category does not guarantee that a project will be accepted. Projects may be rescheduled or declined based on strategic alignment, team capacity, the completeness of submitted materials, and competing institutional priorities.

Design requests are prioritized in the following order:

1. Student recruitment and enrollment
   Projects that directly support undergraduate and graduate recruitment, admissions, enrollment and yield.
2. Fundraising and advancement
   Campaigns, donor communications, stewardship materials and other projects that support University Advancement and the Fredonia College Foundation.
3. University-wide strategic initiatives
   Presidential priorities, major institutional campaigns, brand and reputation initiatives, and communications serving broad external audiences.
4. Major public-facing programs and events
   Projects that promote high-profile university programs, performances, celebrations and events to audiences beyond the campus community.
5. Internal and departmental projects
   Materials intended primarily for current students, faculty or staff, including departmental events, programs, flyers, invitations, presentations and similar requests. Internal and department-specific projects receive the lowest priority for custom design services. These projects may be declined, particularly during periods of high recruitment, fundraising or institutional demand.

When the design team cannot accommodate a request, campus partners may be directed to:

• Create the material using approved self-service tools (such as our digital storefront via Marq)
• Adapt an existing design
• Work with an external vendor using departmental funds
• Consider a simpler communication method that does not require custom design

Required lead time
 

All design requests must be submitted at least six weeks before the final materials are needed.

The six-week period begins only after the design team has received:

• Complete and approved copy
• Final project specifications and dimensions
• Required photographs, logos and supporting materials
• A clearly identified project owner and final decision-maker
• Budget information for printing, mailing, advertising or outside production

Submitting a request six weeks in advance does not guarantee acceptance or completion. Larger or more complex projects, including campaigns, publications, event identities and materials requiring printing or mailing, may require additional time.

Requests submitted with fewer than six weeks of lead time may be declined.
 

Before submitting a request

Please confirm that:

• The project supports a clear university goal.
• The intended audience and desired action have been identified.
• The content has been reviewed and approved by the requesting department.
• One person has been designated to gather feedback and provide final approval.
• Funding is available for printing, mailing, advertising or external production, when applicable.
• The requested deadline accounts for review, revisions, approvals and production.

How requests are reviewed

After a request is submitted, Marketing and Communications will determine:

• Whether the project falls within the design team’s scope
• How it aligns with university priorities
• Whether the proposed format is appropriate for the audience and goal
• Whether staff capacity and production time are available
• Whether a template, existing resource or outside vendor would be more appropriate

Design Request Form