Prospectus Design

Where your story takes shape

A strong prospectus does more than present information. It expresses your ethos, your ambition and your culture with clarity and confidence. For many families, it’s the first time your story feels real.

We design prospectuses that feel unmistakably you, structured around your strengths, shaped by your audience and built to perform in the real world.

For over 20 years, we’ve partnered with admissions and marketing teams across schools, colleges and universities to turn detailed information into clear, visually compelling publications. From full prospectuses to sixth form guides and specialist course brochures, we create documents that are confident, practical and carefully considered.

A mock-up showing a man holding the London Park School Prospectus, showing off the cover.

How we approach prospectus design

The Strategy before the design

We don’t start with layouts. We start with context.

Who are you trying to reach?
What differentiates you?
Where are decisions won or lost?
How will this document actually be used?

By understanding your positioning and pressures upfront, we ensure the design supports your objectives, whether that’s recruitment growth, brand repositioning, stakeholder reassurance or all three.

We design the journey, not just the pages

A prospectus isn’t a sequence of spreads. It’s a guided experience.

We structure content to answer questions intuitively and in the right order. Clear hierarchy, intelligent navigation and disciplined layout systems make complex information easy to access, whether readers are scanning quickly or reading in depth.

The result is a publication that feels confident and reassuring, never cluttered or overwhelming.

Clarity first. Character always.

Beautiful design means nothing if it compromises usability.

We balance strong visual identity with practical clarity, using typography, photography direction, colour and layout systems to express your personality while ensuring readability remains paramount.

Academic rigour. Innovation. Heritage. Pastoral care. Whatever defines you, we translate it into a cohesive visual language that carries through every page.

Built around your team

Prospectus projects are rarely simple. Multiple contributors. Tight deadlines. Evolving course information.

Our online proofing system keeps feedback centralised, versions controlled and stakeholders on the same page. We operate as an extension of your in-house team; calm, organised and accountable.

The result? A prospectus that reflects your institution at its best, and a process that feels collaborative, considered and controlled.

Shall we talk?

A mock-up showing the internal spread of the Broomwood prospectus 'about broomwood' page.

“It’s always a pleasure working with everyone at The Graphic Design House. The team is incredibly professional, supportive and collaborative, and we’re genuinely delighted with the finished work. It’s been a joy seeing it all come together.”

Rhian Mason
Head of Marketing & Communication
The Henley College

Designed for print. Built for everywhere.

Your prospectus doesn’t sit in one place.

It might be handed out at open days.
Posted to prospective families.
Downloaded as a PDF.
Shared across web and social.
Revisited during follow-up conversations weeks later.

We design with that full journey in mind.

Because we’re part of a wider print and mailing group, production isn’t an afterthought, it’s built into the thinking from day one. Paper stocks, pagination, mailing formats, weight limits, budget efficiencies – they’re all considered at concept stage, not when the artwork is signed off.

The result is more than a strong design. It’s fewer compromises, fewer surprises and better cost control, with a smoother, more predictable journey from initial concept through to inbox, letterbox or download.

Get in touch

A photo showing the Henley prospectus being opened with the die cut word 'SEEK' so you can see through the front cover.

FAQs

How much does prospectus design typically cost?

The cost of prospectus design depends on the size, complexity, and format of the publication. A full school, college, or university prospectus with multiple sections, bespoke layouts, and both print and digital outputs will cost more than a shorter sixth form or course guide. We’re always upfront about pricing and will talk through options to make sure the scope fits your budget and recruitment goals.

How long does it take to design a prospectus?

Timelines vary depending on content readiness and the number of stakeholders involved, but most prospectus projects take between 6–12 weeks from initial briefing to final artwork. If you’re working to a fixed admissions or open day deadline, we’ll help plan the process and flag key decision points early to keep things on track.

Do we need a printed prospectus, or is digital enough?

For many institutions, it’s no longer a case of print or digital, it’s about how the two work together. Printed prospectuses are still valuable for open days, events, and direct mail, while digital versions support downloads, email follow-ups, and web use. We design prospectuses with both in mind, so your content works consistently across every touchpoint.

Can you work with our existing brand and templates?

Yes. We often design prospectuses within existing brand guidelines, especially where consistency across multiple publications is important. If your brand or templates need a light refresh to improve clarity or readability, we’ll advise on that too, without pushing for unnecessary change.

What if our content isn’t final yet?

That’s very common. We’re used to working alongside marketing and admissions teams while content is still evolving. We can help structure sections, design layouts in parallel, and accommodate changes as copy is refined, all while keeping the project moving forward.

How do you handle feedback from multiple stakeholders?

We work with education teams who need to gather feedback from senior leadership, admissions, academic staff, and governors. Our online proofing tool makes it easy to review, comment, and approve designs in one place, reducing version confusion and helping decisions happen faster.

Can our prospectus be reused for other recruitment materials?

Absolutely. We design prospectuses so they can be repurposed across open day materials, course brochures, digital ads, and web content. Thinking about reuse from the start helps your team get more value from the project and keeps your recruitment messaging consistent.

Is prospectus design something you handle often for education clients?

Yes, prospectuses are a core part of the work we do for schools, colleges, and universities. We understand the admissions cycle, the pressure around deadlines, and the importance of getting this right first time, which is why education teams often come back to us year after year.

Ask us a question

Our prospectus design work

The Henley College

Evolving Henley College’s prospectus year on year, refining a recognisable brand system through layout, print craft and consistent storytelling.

London Park School

A confident prospectus for Broomwood School, bringing its rebrand to life in print with clear storytelling, warmth and distinctive design.

Broomwood