Frequently Asked Questions

General

Do you charge for services?

No.

Logos, etc.

Using the Purdue Signature Logo

Purdue does not permit the use of its name or graphics in any announcement, advertisement, publication, or report if such use in any way implies University endorsement of any product or service.

The use of the signature logo, seal, mascot logo, or other University marks for commercial purposes requires permission or licensure from Purdue University. Requests for such commercial use should be directed to the Assistant Director for Trademark Licensing at 494-1077.

Purdue Marketing Communications is responsible for ensuring the correct use and integrity of the seal and mascot logo on all University publications, supplies, materials, and equipment, whether produced by the University or an outside agency. Any questions about appropriate use of the seal and mascot logo should be directed to the office at (765) 494-2034.

Graphic Design

Why shouldn't my brochures look different? Doesn't having things look the same look boring?

You'd think, but no. The fact is, you only get just so many trips into people's brains. It's like walking through a forest — it's easier to walk on the path where others have already walked, right? Same sort of thing here. A consistent, similar look is like using that same pathway, because you're playing off of a recognizeable brand (i.e. that already used pathway). A different look is completely new and is like chartering a brand new path in the forest each time.

Why are you advising me to cut text and photos from my document?

Have you ever played "Where's Waldo?"? You have this full page and you know exactly what you're looking for. But you have to find it. And you're not interested in finding that blonde with the sunglasses; you're looking for Waldo. Now, if you're in the mood to play "Where's Waldo?", that's great. But if you're not, suddenly you have to find Waldo (maybe he has your car keys?) and you don't want to. You either give up and decide it's not that important, or you get irritated.
Your audiences are each looking for something. They all have interests and they're different. In a targeted marketing piece, you put forth the information that is of interest to your audience, i.e. you show them Waldo. By putting lots of content for different audiences, you're asking people to look for what interests them. You're asking them to look for Waldo.
Don't ask people to play "Where's Waldo?" with your marketing piece.

Web sites

I don't know html but I may need to update a site. Do I have to learn it?

Thankfully, no. There are some fairly simple programs now that allow you to update in "design" mode, which doesn't require you to learn html. Purdue Marketing Communications uses Macromedia's Contribute but there are also other programs. Contact the communications team and we will find out what works best for your needs.

What is "user-centric" design?

User-centric design is a method of developing a site in which the user's needs drive the site's organization and content. Using data from existing sites and other usability studies, the items most clicked on become top-tier items. Items not clicked on are organized using the most logical pathways. It's important to note that not being a top-tier item doesn't mean an item isn't important; it just means that people do not look for it on the home page. Perhaps they expect to find it after going to another specific page. In this case, user-centric design puts the item on the other page because that is what is most user-friendly.