Graphic Design

Murdoch Design is the University's graphic design studio. The studio has a creative team who produce a wide range of publications and materials, ranging in size and complexity from stationery and brochures to prospectus and annual reports.

We aim to make the production of your publications as efficient as possible.

Murdoch Design has a large number of external providers who assist in the production of Printing materials, Bureaux, Photographers, Sign makers, etc.

Please contact one of the team to discuss your design requirements, and for advice on applying the Murdoch University Corporate Identity to your publications.

Services

Murdoch Design is the Graphic Design service located at Murdoch Campus and provides the following services:

• Publications - brochures, reports, posters, promotional material, etc.
• Advice on corporate identity and supply of artwork in electronic or laser copy form
• Stationery - business cards, letterheads, with compliments slips, etc.
• Display and conference posters
• Signage
• Co-ordination of your printing requirements

Software

Murdoch Design is Macintosh-based; the following software programs are used:

• InDesign
• Illustrator
• Photoshop
• Microsoft Word

From Concept to Design

Please contact Murdoch Design to make an appointment to discuss your requirements. Be prepared to brief the staff on:

• What is your budget, do you want a quotation prior to production?
• What is the aim of the publication?
• What market do you wish to attract? For example, what age group do you wish to appeal to?
• Do you have examples of publications from elsewhere which appeal to you?
• What size is the publication (A4, A5, DL, etc)?
• How many colours (1 colour, 2 colour, full colour)?
• How many copies are required?
• What photographs or other graphics are to be included?
• When do you require the final publication?

Preparing Text

• Proofread your files.
• Your manuscript should be as near as possible to its final wording.
• Approval of the text by the relevant authority.
• Supply Murdoch Design with an electronic file. (e.g. Microsoft Word)

Please endeavour to follow these guidelines while preparing text:

• use a minimum of tabs to align columns for tables
• eliminate unnecessary carriage returns
• tabs for paragraph indents are unnecessary
• use upper and lowercase throughout the text (including for headings)
• do not embed graphics into text files; instead, mark the appropriate place either on the hard copy or as ‘INSERT PIC HERE’ in the text, and provide the graphics separately (images downloaded from websites may not be suitable for printing)

Ready to Go

When you are ready to go ahead, please complete a Creative Design Brief , and email this to Adam White, Senior Graphic Designer.

Producing Drafts

• Murdoch Design will produce a first draft for you to check.
• Corrections and alterations can be made at this stage. Further drafts may be required.
• Client is required to sign the final draft before going to print - please check artwork thoroughly.

Printing

Once the final draft has been approved and signed off, the job will be sent for printing. Approximate time-frames for printing are:

• full colour Offset printed publications will take 6 to 10 working days
• full colour Digital printed publications will take 1 to 5 working days (please note that digital printing is recommended for short run publications only)
• 1 colour publications will take 1 to 5 working days.

Priority jobs may incur extra charges.