MSC Graphics Technology Lab Policy

Purpose: To provide guidelines for use of the MSC Graphics Technology Lab facilities, personnel, and materials.

Background, Multimedia Support Center:  The MSC Graphics Technology Lab is an academic service under the Nimitz Library. It is staffed and equipped to provide high-quality multimedia support to midshipmen, faculty and staff.  Its primary focus is to support academics, including all midshipmen work relating to class assignments, faculty and staff work intended for classroom instructions, faculty work relating to research, and staff projects within the Provost's Cost Center.

MSC Graphics:

• Is primarily a self‑help operation.  Midshipmen, faculty and staff are invited to learn graphics skills under the supervision of a graphics artist. The MSC Graphics Technology Lab staff may produce posters, video/audio editing and digitization, and presentations for Superintendent, Architect of the Naval Academy, Academic Dean and faculty or staff if such work is approved.
  
  
• Provides services for USNA Sponsored Conferences that take place on the Naval Academy grounds. Support includes designing and printing a poster announcing the conference, design of the program for the event (note: we do not have the equiptment to produce mass quantities of programs), and badge design. Annual conferences include:
  
  - Naval Academy Science & Engineering Conference
  - Naval History Symposium (McMullen History Conference)
  - Michelson Lecture
  - Bancroft Lecture
  - Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference
  - Naval Academy Leadership Conference.
  
  Limited sign making is also included.

• Will provide priority assistance to Midshipmen in support of the end-of-semester poster sessions. These activities require working with Midshipmen and faculty in the design of poster relating to academic research then printing one copy of these posters (usually 40 inches by 30 inches) so that as many as 500 different posters are ready for display on the Capstone Day and the Independent Research Poster Session. Not to exceed 1,500 posters in a calendar year.
  
  
• Trains and Assists midshipmen, faculty and staff in other graphics operations such as bulletin board creation, sign-making, laminating, binding and other less technology-intense graphics operations.

• Does not support personal use.(Examples of personal use include: office/building decor, department roster/midshipman showcase posters, faculty directories, decorations, retirement cards, gifts, home use materials, etc.)

• Offers self-help consultations and training classes for Midshipmen, Faculty, and Staff on a first‑come, first-served basis or by scheduled appointments.  Personnel from tenant activities, non‑appropriated‑ funded activities, and USNA-related private activities may attend classes on a "space available" basis.

• Will assist midshipmen, faculty, and staff with computer programs and design assistance for computer-based projects and in preparing design work so that it may be submitted elsewhere for production. The MSC Graphics Technology Lab does not support mass-quantity printing.

One of the major expenses of the MSC Graphics Technology Lab operation is cost for materials associated with posters (poster board and printing/mounting operations) and vinyl‑lettering production. These services are reserved for Academic projects, and Superintendent sponsored events (Ship Selection and like events etc.).  Superintendent sponsored events will need approval from the Superintendent's office. Other approved users desiring material support must secure approval in advance and in writing from the MSC Graphics Technology Lab Manager.

Midshipmen seeking materials for "spirit boards", booster posters ("Beat Army”), “Pro Reports", Bancroft bulletin boards and personal/non‑academic activities should obtain new materials sold at the Midstore or elsewhere. The graphics staff will provide guidance and design assistance as their time permits.

Cases for exceptions to this policy must be made in writing to the MSC Graphics Technology Lab Manager.

MSC Graphics Technology Lab Manager
Tim Shattuck,  shattuck@usna.edu, 410-293-5853

Reproduction Policy

The Graphics Technology Lab of the Multimedia Support Center aids midshipmen, faculty and staff in the areas of document design, preparation, and layout for academically related projects such as seminar/symposium posters, Trident Scholar posters, Capstone projects, and class/seminar presentations. 

The MSC Graphics Technology Lab also supports official events hosted or sponsored by the Superintendent and those related to academic classes by providing similar assistance in the design and layout of signage, posters, and handout materials. 

 The Graphics Technology Lab's capabilities are limited to the following:

• Graphics will aid with the layout and design of the poster or presentation.
• A full-size print of the document may be requested after reviewing the poster with the graphic artists in the MSC Graphics Technology Lab.  A request form must be completed with size and finishing specifications.  An 8 ½”x11” proof of the final poster design will be provided by the MSC Graphics Technology Lab for review.
• Because of the cost of paper and ink, posters cannot be reprinted due to typographical errors. All submissions must be proofread by the submitter and signed off on the request form, prior to production.
• The poster will be produced by the MSC Graphics Technology Lab once the layout and design review has been completed and approvals have been secured. 
• The MSC Graphics Technology Lab cannot produce mass quantity prints.
• Upon request, an electronic version of the poster can be provided. 

The MSC Graphics Technology Lab does not have the resources to reproduce mass quantities of presentation related materials. Midshipmen, faculty and staff using government funds and who desire mass quantities of produced materials must contact their funding source (academic department or other USNA office) per USNA Comptroller procedures. Midshipmen, faculty and staff will be informed by the funding source of the details and procedures needed to obtain reproduction services.

MSC Graphics Technology Lab Late Submission Policy

For large classes, posters session and high production projects, the MSC Graphics Technology Lab will work with faculty and staff to establish due dates to ensure that the MSC Graphics Technology Lab has adequate time to produce the required posters.

Posters turned into the MSC Graphics Technology Lab past their assigned due date will be placed in a separate “Late Queue”. This late queue will be processed and printed after all on time submissions have been completed. This is to ensure that all on time poster submissions receive priority.

If you believe you will have problems meeting your scheduled due date, please contact the MSC Graphics Technology Lab at msc@usna.edu. With advanced notice we will do all that we can to work with you to accommodate your needs.

• All poster printing requests must be submitted two business days before the desired pickup date unless otherwise assigned by the MSC Graphics Technology Lab.  
• Standard sizes for mounted posters are 40"x30."  Conference posters may be as large as 56" x 40".
• Posters must be created and submitted at the final size and with high resolution images.
• Posters turned into the MSC Graphics Technology Lab past their assigned due date will be placed in a separate “Late Queue”. This late queue will be processed and printed after all on time submissions have been completed. This is to ensure that all on time poster submissions receive priority.
• If you believe you will have problems meeting your scheduled due date, please contact the MSC Graphics Technology Lab at  msc@usna.edu. With advanced notice we will do all that we can to work with you to accommodate your needs.

For more information, samples and tips on posters, see the MSC GEM or the Poster Design Guide.