UOT201715737 - Redesign & Art Direction of the Printed UofT Magazine and Magazine Website

Address:
University of Toronto
Procurement Services
215 Huron St, 2nd floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5S 1A2
 
Description:

1. The University is seeking Proposals for the redesign of U of T Magazine in print and on the web, and the ongoing art direction, design and production of four (4)  issues. Work on the print redesign should occur between December 2017 and June 2018 and work on the first redesigned issue should begin in July 2018.

1. The University will accept Proposals from studios that can offer both print and web redesign, but also from studios that team up to offer these services together in a collaborative Proposal.

1. For those submitting a collaborative Proposal, the University will contract with only one (1) studio (Proponent) and the other studio will be referred to as the Proponent’s subcontractor.   The Proponent will be the University’s main point of contact during the RFP process and during the term of the Contract.

1. The two studios would have to show that they could work closely together to ensure a smooth workflow and final product that is cohesive across both print and web.

1. Work on the web redesign should occur simultaneously, between December 2017 and May 2018.

1. The Proponent (main point of contact) will be responsible for collaborating with the magazine editorial team on a site strategy, and then creating a site architecture and design. The Proponent will then hand over the detailed design files to an internal development team.

1. Story planning is generally not required, as all editorial content is planned and executed by
   U of T Magazine staff and freelancers. U of T Magazine will request consultation on stories that are primarily visual in nature (such as photo essays and infographics).

1. Cost does NOT include cost of freelance photography and illustration, or stock photo or other fees related to purchased artwork. But the art director is expected to commission all the photography and illustration.

1. The primary goals are to update the magazine with a more contemporary look and to introduce more visual and graphic editorial content – all in keeping with U of T’s position as the #1-ranked university in Canada, known for its superlative research and teaching. Our own research has indicated that readers respond best to content that exhibits qualities such as:
   1. Documentary in style; lacking in dramatization
   2. Bold
   3. Intelligent; makes the reader reflect or think
   4. Unexpected
   5. Distinctly U of T

1. The University seeks art direction of at least four issues of between 48 and 64 editorial pages each, including sourcing illustrations and photography, and liaising with the printer to produce the magazine.

1. The primary goal is to update the website to make it responsive, to give it a contemporary feel, and to give the print and web editions of the magazine a more cohesive look. (The current website was designed over eight years ago.) Content will be updated, but the technology will be too, to reflect current best practices in user-experience design, and to provide greater integration with the magazine’s social Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels and other sources of U of T content.
2. The new website must use the Wordpress platform and follow U of T guidelines on accessibility, security and privacy. It must also provide an API.
3. We’re looking for a team that can set the U of T Magazine apart from its peers in Canada and place it among the best university magazines in the world for user experience.