Our Services

We will help you develop media that effectively reach your audience and that fall within budget guidelines that you provide or approve. The office’s director, project coordinators/editors, graphic designers, and photographer will

• Assist you in developing media that speak to your audiences
• Advise you on production alternatives that suit your needs and budget
• Develop an “image” consistent with your goals, as well as with those of the University
• Help write or edit your publication text or video script
• Provide still or video photography and special effects
• Design and layout publications, and edit video productions in house
• Monitor your project’s progress for quality assurance from concept to product delivery.

How long does this take?
A brochure or 30-second public service announcement may be completed in about six to eight weeks, that is, from editing and concept development to actual delivery of your pieces. A project such as a catalog or 15-minute video presentation might take from six weeks to eight months to produce. The timetable may partly depend on how many people are involved in the approval process and the number of revisions you make along the way. The most efficient projects are those in which we have continual contact with just one person in your department, preferably the person who can make all final decisions regarding the projects.

How much does this cost?
A print project’s cost depends on many variables, including the quantity produced, the type paper selected, the number and types of colors used, whether black and white or color photographs are chosen, how many photos are taken to achieve the final piece, the number of pages needed, how or whether the project is folded and bound, and how your timeline for printed piece(s) comes together with the production activities of contract vendors at press. Costs of electronic media productions also vary and depend on availability of resources.

Because the University does not run a press of its own, we work closely with local vendors, guiding your project through completion at press. Printing of your project is paid for through a standard, Southern University purchase order that you initiate and have processed. We also work with video production houses for services not available through our office. A professional service contract may be required for some electronic media projects.

Although our staff does not charge for its in-house services, we have developed a cost-recovery system that helps maintain the office's equipment and supplies. After an initial consultation, we will provide vendor estimates. A separate bill for in-house cost-recovery fees is sent to your attention after we have completed photography, editing, and/or desgin.

How do we begin?
Call the office, 771-3322, to arrange a planning meeting or to set up a photo assignment. To take full advantage of our services, it is advisable to consult with us as early as possible, when your project is still in its planning stage.

• Bring sample publications, your ideas, and information about your audience(s) to our initial meeting.
• Discuss your approximate budget, deadline, and what quantity of your planned publication will be needed.
• Submit draft text on a floppy disk during or soon after our meeting.

After the meeting, we will prepare a production schedule and an estimated budget for the job. All provisions for the job are subject to your approval.