Home Mimas 3 Digital style guide Photography

Photography

Our photography is the embodiment of our personality. At the broadest level, it reflects the uniqueness of the Curtin brand, which is all about transformation; about being innovative and bold.

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Guidelines

At a communication level images must be expressive, evocative and compelling.

Images should represent Curtin’s excellence and make an impact. When shooting, choosing or approving an image, we must always ask ourselves, “Is it innovative and is it bold?” If it isn’t, it shouldn’t be representing Curtin.

2000x1000

Sizing images for web

Images need to be a specific size and ratio to suit the blocks used on the Curtin websites.

Two students playing frisbee

Framing

It is imperative the subject captures a unique or unusual perspective.

Students studying on a picnic blanket

Talent

Where talent is used, they should depict real people in real situations.

Three students walking around the Curtin campus

Background

Backgrounds should be light and airy where possible, but relevant to the idea.

Lighting

Lighting

Lighting should be bright and natural where possible.

Colour palette

Colour palette

Colours should be kept relatively neutral. Natural tones.

Where to source images

Curtin University image library (Canto)

Canto image library is a self-service portal that provides access to Curtin’s approved photo database. These images are for use in Curtin-related publications, online communications, marketing, advertising and social media.

Canto access
Students playing basketball Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-316-scaled Three students walking and looking at a mobile phone A group of students having a picnic lunch on campus students-linked-2000x1000px Curtin architecture building

Adobe Stock

All Curtin staff have access to Adobe Stock for sourcing stock images. Stock images should only be used sparingly on the Curtin sites when there is not anything suitable from a Curtin photoshoot.

Adobe access
Wheatbelt arial shot DNA Strand Young woman on holiday with her family Person planting a tree Teacher working with four primary school students Kangaroo

FAQs

Useful links

Framing

It is imperative the subject captures a unique or unusual perspective.

Avoid stylised pictures. The tone should be natural and contemporary. The image should spark the viewer’s imagination.

Talent should never be looking directly to camera, with the exception of portraits. The image should capture a ‘slice of life’ moment, depicting the subject naturally.

Images should be framed in a way that allows sufficient room for headlines and body copy. As a general rule, one quarter of an image should be clear space to allow for legible type.

Talent

Where talent is used, they should depict real people in real situations. We’re not limited to age, sex or ethnicity, if it’s relevant to the situation. They should be dressed appropriately for their environment (i.e. business attire for an office; casual attire for a student on campus) and reflect the diversity of the community and the fact we are an international brand. Unbranded clothes should be used where possible.

Background

Backgrounds should be light and airy where possible, but relevant to the idea. There should always be an element of depth-of-field, where the subject matter is in focus, but the foreground or background may be soft focus.

Sizing images for web