University Publications functions as a full-service creative agency for academic and administrative units within the University of South Carolina. Our staff writes, designs, and produces over 500 print publications annually and produces content for the University's main portal web pages. Major projects include the print and Web versions of USC Times and Carolinian magazine, and undergraduate and graduate recruiting materials. These publications and periodicals reach University audiences that include prospective students and their parents, potential donors, alumni, faculty and staff, and the off-campus community.

Under the leadership of the Director of Publications and Printing, our staff has over 175 combined years of experience in communications at the University. Our award-winning work has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally by organizations such as the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the University and College Designers Association (UCDA), and the American Advertising Federation.

As a part of a full-service creative agency, our publications staff offers consultation and planning, editorial, design, photography, and production services to University clients as appropriate. Projects are accepted according to priority status and current workload. These services are provided to faculty and staff at no charge, the client is responsible for all printing costs associated with their project.

Creative Strategy and Planning Services

Proper planning can help any project, and this is especially true of a printed publication. University Publications staff members meet with clients early in the process to ask questions and plan the creative strategy for each project. Before we begin writing, editing, or designing a publication, we ask our clients to consider some basics.

• Purpose (Why do you need a publication, and what do you want it to accomplish?)
• Audience (Who are you trying to reach?)
• Budget (What is your price range?)
• Shelf life (How long can you use this piece and it still be effective?)
• Quantity (How many do you need for current and future uses?)
• Distribution (How will you get this piece to your audience?)
• Schedule (When do you need the piece?)

All of these technical questions will help determine the form of the publication and the types of services we can offer to make your publication a success. We also require that you complete a Printing Request Form and supply it to us before we begin work on your project.

As part of the initial planning session, we also do a lot of listening. We especially want to hear about the background of the project, your ideas, and your concept of the final piece. Since the University is so large and diverse, we rely on our clients to be the experts in their particular discipline and, in most cases, provide the core information for the publication. We hope that our clients will rely on our expertise to help them produce an appealing and effective publication.

Call 803-777-8161 and ask for the director of creative services for more information about the Office of University Publications or to begin planning your next publication.

Return to top

Editorial Services

The University Publications editorial staff works directly with our clients to provide professional editorial service on all projects. Our staff includes an editorial coordinator, two publications editors, and a bulletins editor. The editorial coordinator is also the primary contact for all University newsletters.

The editors consult with clients and develop a plan for the text in each publication. This plan may require editing existing text or creating text from scratch. All text is edited based on the official University Editorial Style Guide. This guide is available online and in a print version for University faculty and staff. We ask that our clients review this informative guide before submitting text to see how we handle common editorial subjects such as punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviations, as well as University-specific style conventions. We also ask that all text be supplied in an electronic format, and preferably be created in a word processing program. Text may be supplied on disk or via e-mail. Helpful information on how to prepare text files for publication is available in the Editorial Style Guide.

Call 803-777-8161 and ask for the editorial coordinator for more information on our editorial services.

Return to top

Design Services

The University Publications design staff includes a design coordinator and four full-time designers. In addition to strong print design and layout skills, this diverse, creative group boasts various talents including concept creation, illustration, photo manipulation, print production, and Web design.

Normally, a designer and editor team is assigned to each project. The designer will work closely with the editor and the client throughout the process to make sure that the final piece meets the stated requirements. The designer and/or editor will meet with the client to present new concepts and initial page proofs. The designer also works with the University Publications production staff to prepare the approved layout for electronic output and oversee the project through the printing process.

Call 803-777-8161 and ask for the design coordinator for more information on our design services.

Photography Services

Two full-time professional photographers shoot images for the publications that we create. The photographers work closely with staff designers who assign and direct the shoots to create and capture the right image for the publication. The photographers also maintain a digital library of faculty and staff portraits. We recommend that all new USC faculty members have their photos made in our studio and all current faculty have their photos updated at least every five years. These digital images are stored on our archives and used in our publications, supplied to news agencies where appropriate, and sent to the individual, if desired, for their personal use.

Call 803-777-8161 and ask for the photographers for more information.