SR-2 Lucy Threlfo

CURTIN UNIVERSITY STYLE GUIDE

Curtin University has an extremely comprehensive style guide for use by their staff members. In fact the university has an online source dedicated to covering the many areas of the Curtin University brand.

http://brand.curtin.edu.au/

The site provides details on every aspect of the university's visual identity and publication design including specifications on colour palette, typography, grid systems and even the style of photography to be used. This style guide goes further than just a system for a consistent publication design, incorporating its elements into the designs for signage around the university as well as its merchandising products.

A separate PDF document entitled 'Publications Style Guide' is also found on the website and in their own words the guide, "Is designed to promote clarity and consistency in the writing of Curtain text...a reference for staff to solve common issues, such as when to capitalise, how to punctuate and how to refer to courses and subjects." (page 3)

http://brand.curtin.edu.au/assets/Uploads/PubsStyleGuideDec2011.pdf

In my opinion this guide is a bit extreme. Its detailing of the basics of writing such as the difference between active and passive voices, of which a university staff member should already be familiar with, is unnecessary. 

In conclusion Curtin University has created a consistent style but the dedicated brand site would have been enough in my opinion.