Design Process

Here’s how FAD works:

  1. You submit a job (with all the necessary details and materials, see below). An email confirmation from Fine Arts Design is sent to the client (you!).
  2. The job gets assigned to one of our awesome designers.
  3. That designer contacts you to get a better idea of what you want, maybe set up a meeting to go over the details (instructions, quantities, deadlines and to review submitted files).
  4. After consultation with the client the Fine Arts Design designer will develop an initial layout of the design. At this stage of the project, the layout may be a sketch, tight comprehensive marker layout, or digital proof. Prior to contacting the client to review the initial design layout, the Fine Arts Design designer will obtain internal approval for the design working in consultation with the Fine Arts Design Art Director and/or faculty advisor
  5. Upon internal approval of the layout comp, the FAD designer will contact you via email or meet with the client personally to review the design and to present any requested printing quotes (the timeline varies on the job).
  6. The client will either approve the design or not. Suggestions and alterations can be made at this time. You then get 2 more drafts/revision rounds (total of 3 drafts, 3rd is final).
  7. Upon internal approval of the revised/modified design, the Fine Arts Design designer will contact via email or meet with the client personally to review the design modifications and to seek client approval. NOTE: This process can, if allowed, repeat multiple times until a client is satisfied with a design, but Fine Arts Design designers work very limited hours per week and as a result, Fine Arts Design limits the client to only two proofs.
  8. Upon client approval of the design, the Fine Arts Design designer will produce and provide the client a .pdf set-up for the appropriate output method (offset Litho, Inkjet or Laser printing)

NOTE: the Fine Arts Design designer will implement an internal content proofing process if the design request originates within the ART, MUSIC and THEATRE departments. Fine Arts Design is not responsible for content proofing from any other departments, programs or student groups across the university


To decrease potential problems when working on a design with a Fine Arts Design designer, please follow the rules below.

They’re more like guidelines than a code… Captain Barbossa

  • All information needed for a design should be organized and any desired design ideas and thoughts should be included in the submission
  • Submit only final “approved” copy. All copy should be proof read and free of typos prior to submission. Fine Arts Design designers will not copy edit provided copy. Copy must be submitted as a .txt or .rft file without formatting or inserted/placed graphics
  • Any pixel-based, raster graphics or photographs that you have created or desire for use in the design should be submitted as .jpg or .tif file. Raster graphics and photographs should be at a minimum of 300 ppi at the estimated size that you want to use the image in the design
  • Any vector graphics (charts or logos) that you have created should be submitted as an .eps file
  • FAC or SAB approval and logo usage is the responsibility of the submitter.
  • All desired copy, images and graphics are requested to be submitted only once at the time of initiating the online design request

If the design project requires multiple files, please zip or create a disk image of the files to submit as one .zip or .dmg file.

FAD does not accept Microsoft Word, Works, Excel or Powerpoint files. Please submit copy, photography and graphics in the formats specified in the guidelines. 

FAD does not accept or use any copyright protected images or graphics without written permission of the originator of the image or graphic.