• Created by Unknown User (marvel@mit.edu), last modified by Unknown User (nsniu@mit.edu) on Apr 19, 2020 01:18

Introduction

The role of the publicity designer is to put make all of the graphics related for the show as required (teaser posters, show posters, postcard designs, newspaper ads, etc.) in a way that's appealing, related to the show, and attention grabbing. 

- Salvador Esparza (April 2013)

Rough Timeline

Deadlines go vaguely in the following order:
1. Semifinal Teaser
2. Final Teaser, Semifinal Poster
3. Final Poster, Postcards
4. T-shirts
5. Ads, program

Designing Software

Recommended programs for the publicity designer are:

  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator

Although you are perfectly entitled to use whatever software you're comfortable with, I've found that these three programs work in conjunction really well. InDesign is the perfect place to put together all of the elements on your poster and lay them out while being able to pay very subtle attention to the spacing. Photoshop is good for any image enhancements if you're including some kind of graphic. Illustrator is also very good for creating vector graphics if you're trying to get fancy. The most useful aspects of these programs take no more than an hour to pick up and with practice become second nature.

Ensemble Brand

The Ensemble has an official font. It is called “The Real Font.” This should ONLY be used for the words “The MIT Shakespeare Ensemble Presents”. Avoid using it for any other text in your designs. This is the signature brand of our show. You should own this font file, and you should use it when using our group name on any and all publicity.

The font can be downloaded here:

http://www.1001freefonts.com/TheRealFont.php

(COMING SOON - EXAMPLE)

I've found that it's a lot easier when having to make multiple designs of the same theme to have a logo designed for the production ahead of time as a vector image on a transparent background. Having designed this first (optimally at a high resolution), you can easily place the logo into your designs so that all publicity materials look obviously related and your life is that much easier for it.

(COMING SOON - EXAMPLE)

Publicity Materials

All posters should include a UA logo. They give us money. Shrink it and put it in a corner.

Audition Posters

Dimension - 8.5" x 11". Play with vertical or horizontal layout.

DEADLINE FOR DESIGN: Design should be final no less than two weeks before auditions for the show begin.

Notes - I recommend having a logo in place for this design as well. It doesn't have to be final, but something that you won't change too much as it makes it's way on to the final designs. Be conscious that your design at this point may have nothing to do with how the show might actually turn out because there is no cast or rehearsals yet. Play with it. Do something general. Use cheap provocative design tricks. Make it flashy. Confirm with Pub Manager if the designs will be in Black and White or Color (more often than not these posters will be in B&W because all color printing should be reserved for actual performance publicity) and make sure to be aware of this in your design. Don't forget the following:

  • Ensemble Brand
  • Show Name
  • Director Name
  • Audition Dates
  • Audition Times
  • Link to Audition Sign-Ups
  • "Questions? E-Mail er@mit.edu"
  • UA Logo
Teasers

Dimension - 8.5" x 11". Play with vertical or horizontal layout. Design should be finalized no less than 2 weeks before the actual show performances begin.

Notes - At this point the logo should be in its final stage. The posters should contain the following necessary information:

  • Ensemble Brand
  • Show Name
  • Director Name
  • Show Dates
  • Show Location
  • Link to Ensemble Page
  • UA Logo

The design should be a little more specific than the audition poster, but should still have a provocative angle to it where the theme of the show doesn't become obvious until the final show poster comes out. Images are cool at this point. Also be aware again by confirming with the publicity manager whether or not these are going to be in B&W or Color.

Show Posters

Dimension - 11"x17". Play with vertical or horizontal layout. These should most definitely be in color. Include:

  • Ensemble Brand
  • Show Name
  • Director Name
  • Show Dates
  • Show Location
  • Prices
  • Reservation Link
  • UA Logo
T-shirt

Design should be finalized two weeks prior to Put In so that they can get ordered and received within an appropriate time interval.

This one is more flexible. I personally think making the logo the front of the shirt and then the actors' favorite quote on the back is a pretty nice standard. Check any requirements on NEDesign, which is the reliable shirt ordering site of preference.

Postcards

Design should be finalized two weeks before put in so that they get printed and shipped on time without costing the Ensemble mucho dinero.

Vistaprint, the website we've used in the past that has successfully produced some pretty sexy looking postcards, prints postcards at the awkward dimensions of 5.47"x4.21". If your pub manager says you're using Vistaprint, use those dimensions. Otherwise, work with the pub manager to determine that company you're using and getting an exact dimension for the postcards before you start the design. I think it's a good idea to either emphasize any graphics you have in your poster design and use the logo. You should put all the show information on the back side:

  • Ensemble Brand
  • Show Name
  • Director Name
  • Show Dates
  • Show Location
  • Prices
  • Reservation Link
  • UA Logo
Drop Poster

Dimension - (4 feet x max 12 feet OR 3 feet x max 12 feet). Have it done before Put-In!
The Drop Poster can go one of two ways.
1) You get a long sheet of butcher paper (max dimensions are 4 feet x 12 feet) and just write the show information on it in HUGE letters.
2) You can make a smaller digital design and have the Pub Manager contact Rinaldi (MIT Theater Arts) about possibly using their Plotter to print your drop poster (at $1 per square foot). Be aware that the max height the Plotter prints is 3 feet. The 12 feet wide rule still applies.

Tech Ads

Student groups get 80 free column-inches of Ad space in The Tech each year. After you or the publicity manager confirms with the Tech what dimensions are appropriate and keep in mind this ratio: 1 column inch = 2 inches in the width. The dimensions for your ads will be dependent on whether or not you're putting in two ads and how the pub manager wants to distribute the free ad inches. I think it's best to just remake the final show poster in the Tech Ad dimensions because it should be familiar and at this point the show will be very near so the ad should just emphasize that people should reserve their tickets. Again, you can make more designs if you're so inclined.

Program

Design should be finalized by Tuesday of Tech Week at the latest so that printing can happen on Wednesday or Thursday.

Important Things to Include in the Program:
Program Cover
All the ads you’ve arranged for ad swaps: Copytech and upcoming theatre @ MIT

List of Cast and their Roles

BE SURE TO CREDIT THE FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER IF THERE WAS FIGHT CHOREO

Cast & Crew bio’s
Director’s note (Optional)
Dramaturg's note (Optional)
Synopsis (Optional)
List of Scenes (Optional)
About the Shakespeare Ensemble (Optional)
Special thanks / acknowledgments

It's important that the program takes up an full number of printer pages, which means that they should be in multiples of 4. This can make formatting quite difficult. Play around, and stick in some pictures if you need some filler. These can either be printed through copytech, or discreetly using Athena Printing.

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