Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Creative Projects
Written content
Who provides the content, or copy, for a project?
Because you know your project best, we rely on you to provide a first draft of your content. The public affairs creative team will help tighten and polish your copy and offer advice about what to cut or add.
What purpose does copyediting serve? Why did you change the copy instead of just fixing errors?
Copyediting ensures consistency and flow, prevents syntactical and grammatical errors, and enhances the concision and clarity of the text. Sometimes we will change or shorten the copy because of space limits, redundant language, or a conflict with another college communication. Avoid copy conflicts by noting mandatory inclusions in your brief or intake.
How should I send and share my copy for the project?
You can create a new text doc in Basecamp or upload a Google or Word doc to the Basecamp project.
What if the project manager needs the copy but we don’t have all of the details confirmed?
We need a complete draft with all details finalized to begin the project.
How do I send my feedback or make suggested edits on a proof?
There are two options:
- Start a new discussion thread in the Basecamp project, call it “Feedback,” and notify the project manager.
- Print a hard copy of the proof, mark your changes, and submit that to the project manager in person or by posting images to Basecamp.
For long changes (replacing a paragraph, for instance), provide either a Word doc or Google doc.
Does Reed have a style guide?
Yes! Reed’s style guide is available on the public affairs website. In general, Reed relies for spelling on Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary and for editorial style on the Chicago Manual of Style.
Design and visuals
Who provides photos?
You may provide high-resolution photos for your project, but the designers will need to ensure they meet with Reed’s graphic standards. If you would like public affairs to select images for your project, please indicate as specifically as possible what types of photos you would like.
Who are the designers?
Lauren Rennan, Creative Director
Tom Humphrey, Art Director
Aaron Percell, Graphic Designer
Raymond Rodriguez, Web Designer
Why didn’t the designer follow my directions?
Reed's designers are experts at crafting visual solutions. They will listen to your ideas and look at the problem you’re trying to solve (fill seats for an event, raise awareness, make communication easier) and come up with a solution that aligns with Reed’s general suite of materials while following the principles of design and communication.
Basecamp project management
What is Basecamp and why does Reed use it?
Basecamp is a web-based project management platform. With Basecamp, we break up our work for admission or the Annual Fund into separate projects. Each project contains everything related to that specific project; all the people involved, every discussion, every document, file, task, important date, etc. For more information about how to use Basecamp, visit their help site.
How do I title my Basecamp project?
When naming a project, use the initials of your office—public affairs is PA; student life is SL; admission is ADM—followed by a colon, followed by the name of the project: SL: HCC red folder
Who has access to my Basecamp project?
Basecamp projects are accessible only to those you invite.
Timelines, deadlines, and workbacks
What is the timeline for a project? Why does it take so long?
Usually, the project manager will take your final deliver-by date and work back from there. Here is the usual schedule:
- Intake form or brief completed (by the project intiator—PI—for your office)
- Basecamp project started and schedule set (PA)
- Content uploaded to Basecamp (you)
- Content edited and provided to designer (PA)
- RND 1 proof delivered (designer)
- RND 1 feedback to PA (you)
- RND 2 delivered (designer)
- Approved (you)
- Final proofread (PA)
- To print or web launch (PA)
- Final files uploaded to Basecamp (print only)
- Project mails or delivers (print only)
There is usually not time for more than two rounds of creative feedback. Feedback must be consolidated and delivered to us all at once.
When should I tell public affairs that I am ready to start a project?
Fill out an intake form as soon as you know your deliver-by date, quantity, and other details.
I need a project rushed. How fast can you finish my project?
Our goal is to be flexible and meet deadlines, but we need to be realistic and reasonable with our expectations. Refer to our project timelines for the appropriate amount of time needed to complete a project.
What happens if I miss a deadline? What happens if public affairs misses a deadline?
If you miss a deadline, the project manager will adjust the schedule. If you anticipate missing a deadline, please let public affairs know as soon as possible. If public affairs anticipates missing a deadline, we will contact you to discuss shortening the turnaround time for proof reviews or changing the final deliver-by deadline.
How do we keep track of deadlines? Who is responsible for meeting deadlines?
All deadlines are assigned as to-dos in the Basecamp project. Each to-do includes a due date and person responsible for completing it. You will get a reminder when your deadlines are near.
Who can change or add to-dos on Basecamp? Is there a certain naming convention for to-dos?
Anyone can change or add to-dos, but we prefer you reach out to public affairs so we can confirm that our team can accommodate the shift.