Call For Poster Artist

CALL FOR POSTER ARTIST – REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Scope of Work & Technical Requirements

Contact: WSCC Poster Project Manager Carolyn Shelton by email: 50thAnniversary@theconservationcenter.org          Please note “POSTER RFP” in subject line. 

WSCC office phone: 970-527-5307     [Note: Project Mgr. unavailable by phone from Nov. 5-Dec. 2] 

1. Scope of Work

Work includes graphic design, including all artwork, and creating and delivering production-ready art for a poster and final delivery of 50 (fifty) posters. 

2. Background

Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC) will celebrate their 50^th anniversary in 2027; this poster will commemorate this milestone and provide a fundraising and celebratory item.

3. Description of Poster

A. Poster shall be designed in full color with original artwork produced by the Contractor. All use costs and copyrights must be part of this contract. 

B. Poster shall incorporate original artwork and text; layout to be determined during design process.  Estimated size: 18” wide x 24” tall. Theme and text options to be developed during a design charette with client team, coordinated by Contractor with WSCC team. 

C. The design of the poster, including graphic images, layouts, and color scheme shall be engaging and encourage people to stop and read it, and enjoy and learn from the integrated art and text. 

D. A design proof is required, to assure final colors on the poster. 

4. Schedule

A. Contractor shall contact the Project Manager to coordinate a Pre-Work Call and schedule a design charette within one week of receipt of awarded contract. The design charette is preferably conducted in person but may be conducted by phone conferencing (such as Zoom). 

B. Contractor shall submit all text and layout(s) during each review in a manner that the Client can clearly understand and review. Submittals shall be delivered in digital form plus three hard copies. 

C. Delivery Schedule: 

5. Design Standards

A. The quality of graphics, illustrations, art, and layout of the poster shall be outstanding. The following requirements apply: 

1. Illustrations and art shall enhance the message of the poster and provide a “sense of place” of the North Fork Valley and include water in some way. 

2. Design layouts shall incorporate creative use of color, line, shape, texture, text type, and other visual elements to clearly portray and communicate the theme of the poster.

3. Provide digitally registered and production-ready materials that effectively and accurately depict final poster layout.

4. Panels shall integrate ADA “best practices” for font and image sizes, colors, and layouts. Provide an option with Spanish included. 

B. Submittals for Client review shall be digitally provided via email. Hard copies for Submittals 2 & 3 shall be provided at full-size. 

6. Submittals

Each Submittal shall be approved by WSCC Project Manager in order for the Contractor to proceed to the next stage. Email confirmation shall be sent to Contractor.

A. Submittal 1: Preliminary 3 Options – The Contractor shall render draft art and graphic designs for three poster options. Layouts shall include text, logos, art, diagrams, or other recommendations. The Submittal shall be prepared in full color as PDF. 

B. Submittal 2: Develop 1 Draft Poster Design – Using comments and recommendations from the Client Review, the Contractor shall deliver a single proposed poster option. The Submittal shall be prepared in full color as a PDF and hard copies. 

C. Submittal 3: Final Poster – Using comments and recommendations from the Client Review, the Contractor shall deliver the final design of the poster. The Contractor shall subsequently prepare digital files for production. The final copy of the files shall be delivered to the Client in a format to be able to easily print more posters in the future. Also detail with whom the posters have been printed, and for what cost, as it is anticipated to print more in 2027.

D. Submittal 4: Printing & Delivery of Posters – Using the approved final design, the Contractor shall have 50 (fifty) posters printed and delivered to the WSCC office in Paonia, CO. 

7. Period of Contract

A. Work shall begin within 7 days of Notice to Proceed. Delivery of Submittal 4 shall be completed within 11 weeks after issuance of Notice to Proceed. 

B. A telephone conference or in-person meeting shall serve as the Pre-Work meeting, where there will be clarification regarding contract terms, work performance requirements, and the Contractor’s plan for conducting the work. 

C. The Client’s Project Manager shall maintain contact with the Contractor during duration of the contract and will be the primary contact. 

8. Client Rights to Designs

Upon completion of contract work, the Client, WSCC shall retain copyright to the artwork, illustrations, and poster design. Any other usage is negotiable by the artist. 

9. Payments

Payments will be made following the schedule below: 

The Contractor is required to submit invoices to WSCC for payment. 

10. Inspection and Acceptance

The Contractor shall follow the schedule within this contract regarding submission of materials. The Client will review designs for content, layout, and technical accuracy. One set of review comments shall be returned to the Contractor via email following client review. Each submittal must be approved by the Project Manager prior to payment and further work. 

11. Final Delivery

Fifty (50) final hard copies of the poster plus digital production materials. 

Invoices and final delivery of all products shall be sent to: 

Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC)

204 Poplar Ave

P.O. Box 1612, 

Paonia, CO 81428

970-527-5307

12. Minimum Qualifications

The Design Contractor shall meet the following minimum qualification requirements: 

1. Five years’ experience interacting with clients in writing, designing, and producing artwork to create interpretive/thematic items like posters, signs, or exhibits. 

2. Specialized experience and technical competence in the development of interpretive or poster displays, which includes: 

a. Proven ability in past work experience to produce accurate illustrations while making those illustrations artistic and poetic in nature, including skill in the production of aesthetically pleasing illustrations that show a “sense of place.” 

b. Thorough knowledge through education and experience of preparing text, graphics, and art in order to produce a deliverable, printable poster. 

3. Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time. 

13. Application

Submit your proposal, including portfolio images and descriptions of your work that is applicable, along with a fee. Separate design work from printing cost. 

1. Proposal is due by Nov. 30, 2026 COB (Close of Business). 

2. Proposal shall be submitted via email to:   50thAnniversary@theconservationcenter.org          

3. Please note “POSTER RFP” in subject line.