Messages to major university audiences and stakeholders are carried primarily through university — and college level communications. To maintain and enhance Wesleyan’s image, it is important that communications vehicles reflect visual and style standards that reinforce Wesleyan’s brand identity and enhance the image of the university. The Office of Communications produces most of the printed communications distributed to these audiences and stakeholders in order to provide a consistent, clear approach to visual and editorial communications.

Examples of publications projects are:

1. Wesleyan magazine
2. Wesleyan University Press
3. Wesleyan Graduate Review
4. The Wesleyan Flame
5. Recruitment materials
6. Schedules of events
7. Grant-funded program brochures
8. University event collateral
9. Invitations
10. Postcards
11. Posters
12. Mailers
13. Viewbooks
14. Advertisements
15. Booklets

A due date for projects is assessed after examining the scope of current projects in the department, annual projects expected to begin, and the amount of creative time needed to execute your project. Assignments are made to publications personnel based on current workload, project status, nature and timing of the project, and established priorities. When requests cannot be met, we will provide editorial, visual design, production consultation, and will recommend another solution or try to refer the client to other appropriate service sources. If we determine that the services of an outside vendor are required, the office requesting the job will pay for that work.

To initiate your project, fill out the Intake Interview Form (PDF), then contact Director of Communications, Laura Hanna, at 817-531-5810 or via e-mail: lhanna@txwes.edu. The intake form is an essential point of reference throughout the creative process. Designers, editors, and other communications staff members refer daily to points outlined in the document to craft the product that most closely meets client needs.

1. General project information (background: how did this come to fruition?)
2. Goals
3. Type of project:
1. Brochure
2. Event program
3. Advertisement
4. Flyer
5. Information card
6. Postcard
7. The Wesleyan Flame news item
8. Press release
9. Other

1. Has a budget been approved?
2. What is the budget?
   (Don’t want to create something you can’t afford to print or mail.)
3. What is the requested due date? When must the message get to the audience for greatest impact
   (e.g. admissions deadline, conference, special event)?

Provide enough detail to enhance everyone’s understanding of who the audience is.
Include some demographic information if possible.

1. Who are your primary target audiences?

1. What is your audience’s perception about you before you start communicating with them?
2. If you could have any image featured, what would it be?
3. Specific visual goals?

1. If you could get one message across, what would that be?
2. What is the call to action? (Apply; call for more information; visit our website?)
3. Other major points?

1. How does your website complement this piece?
2. In the case of academic programs, most likely people have already viewed
   your website before making an inquiry. How is this piece different/more useful to
   your audience than the information on your site?

1. Who is the point person?
2. What is the internal review and who approves the project?
   Everyone who receives a proof to approve expected to sign off on every phase of the project
   (i.e. Creative brief, manuscript, proof, and final sign off for printing.
   Without everyone’s sign off, there is a greater chance for error.).
3. Who needs to sign off on final execution?

1. Distribution: how will you get this to your audience?
2. How else are you communicating with your audience?
3. Do you plan to update this piece annually?