What to do first?

[Memphis]

Hi all!

Congratulations on the growth of D.O.

I held a logo contest in December and now would like to hold a couple more contests. This is my idea...I would like to have an illustration of a dog, or maybe dog and cat, to use as part of my identity. I would use the dog on my website, posters & flyers. I would also like to have a poster designed.

What should I do first? If I have an illustration done first, would there be reluctance to use another designers work in a poster design? If I held the poster contest first, I might get more designs and I could pay more to have the illustration developed. Any suggestions or ideas? I want to be fair, but I also want to get a design that I want.

Lastly, I would also like to have an ad designed. I would like to be able to use the ad in different publications since I have limited funds. Would I just need to ask that I be able to tweak the file? I hope this makes sense. I admit when I get into all of the file types and print stuff it makes my brain hurt.

Thanks very much for any input or suggestions.

Kristyn
Memphis

[ElKootcho]

My suggestion would be to have the illustration contest done first. Just be sure to specify in our opening brief that the winning illustration will need to be provide to the other designers when you start the poster contest.

Once you choose a winner to the illustration you certainly may provide the design to other designers to use.

The other advantage is that some of us print designers are not illustrators. You will likely get more entries into the poster and ad designs then if they were all lumped together.

My final recommendation is to let the designers know what programs you have available before beginning the ad contest. That will help us know what program we need to design in.

[Memphis]

Thanks Mike. That cleared things up on the illustration/poster part.

As for the ad design, would I just say that I have access to Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. or do I need to specify a file type? I have limited ability in convert files. I will want to use the ad for newspaper ad, downtown magazine and community newsletters.

[Michael]

When you say tweak how much of a tweak do you want I.e. just be able to change the text?

The best thing to do would be to choose a Print house and find out what formats and spec they require, the might go ahead and design an advert in photoshop because that is what you have but the print house may not except any formats that can be exported from Photoshop. So it's always a good idea to pick your print house first :)

[Memphis]

OK, this is where I get lost. :help:
By tweaking I mean, adjust the size or the file type for different publications (newsletters, magazines, newspapers). Is this possible or am I just dreaming? I don't think I need a print shop for an ad?? Wouldn't I just submit a file to the publication?

[ElKootcho]

Most pubs will probably take a TIF which means you'd need Photoshop (preferred) or Illustrator (Can export as a TIF).

Normally I layout all print materials in Quark but most "civilians" don't have that.

[Michael]

Sorry don't know why I brought up print houses..you were talking about adverts..I'm not with it today :rolleyes:


As Mike mentioned a TIF file is exceptable, many of the publications over here in the Uk accept pdf file and in some cases jpgs (jpgs mainly if the advert is to be print in blk & wht or grey scale). Both can be produced in Photoshop or Illustrator.

[Memphis]

Thanks ya'll. I think I have enough info to muddle through this. I'll also call around tomorrow and ask several publications how they need submitted.