Newspaper Design and Layout Get it right, design it tight

Elements of Design Text Pictures White space Learn to balance all three

Principles of Good Design Balance Rhythm Unity Scale Proportion Visual hierarchy

Balance The page is visually and evenly weighted This doesn’t mean everything is the same size A large visual at the top of the page needs to be balanced with something visual at the bottom

Balance Example

Balance Example

Rhythm The visual flow of the page Repeated use of color or typography that holds design together

Rhythm Example

Rhythm Example

Unity A sense of repetition in the use of elements that the reader grows familiar with during the reading process. Use a particular style of type and design for the nameplate and for elements that appear consistently throughout the newspaper (standing heads) creates unity.

Unity Examples

Scale Depending on the size of the publication, the designer must start with a series of vertical spaces dividing the page, called columns or grids These guide the reader in placing stories in the design Creates an appropriate and readable width for lines of type and layout of stories

Scale Example Grids!

Proportion Create asymmetrical designs that are far more interesting than symmetrical ones The proportion of the largest visual on the page should be two to three times larger than any other visual Larger, more important stories should take up more space on the page than smaller, less important stories

Proportion Example Asymmetrical 2-3x larger

Visual Hierarchy Help the reader understand importance or significance Stories with greater news values should appear at the top of the page with larger headlines As the reader’s eyes progress from the top of the page to the bottom, headlines get smaller to indicate less important news Maintain this hierarchy on every page

Preparing for Design Sketch a preliminary plan for the page first. This is called a “dummy” Allows the designer to consider the options for placing elements on the page before actually sitting down at the computer to formally arrange the elements

The Dummy Sheet Headlines are represented by a series of X’s with a suggestion of the actual size and typeface Stories are indicated by arrows drawn vertically down columns indicating both width and length of the assigned story Pictures and visuals are represented by large boxes with an X drawn in them. Write a short description of the picture assigned to that spot.

The Dummy Sheet cont. Visuals should never be forced into positions that compromise their potential Stories should never be edited just to fit the space assigned on a dummy The dummy should be a flexible, changeable template

Special Considerations for Design – Front page The “window” to the publication Content should offer information that is interesting and relevant Contrast longer stories with shorter news briefs and teasers to inside content Put something of visual interest high on the page Typography should be clean and functional

Teasers Shorter story Visual Interest Longer story

Special Considerations for Design – Inside pages Employ different grids or column methods in different sections of the paper Using varying column widths offers visual variety and creates distinct content areas for the reader Ad space should be designed so it leaves modules of space for content Ads should not appear on the ed/op pages Design facing pages as single visual units

Different grids Ad space creates modules

Special Considerations for Design – Feature Pages Package feature stories with strong visual/verbal connections through illustrations or photographs combined with strong, detail-oriented headlines Surround the feature package with white space (white space isn’t always white) Use interesting typefaces Design should reflect the tone of the package

Interesting photos Spread out font reinforces use of white space Strong use of white space

Special Considerations for Design – Op/Ed Pages Clearly label editorials Headline should clearly state the staff’s ed position Use a different column grid to help differentiate the ed content Use standing heads Visuals are primarily ed cartoons, photo polls Masthead goes here

Special Considerations for Design – Sports Pages Designs will often utilize larger, action-packed pictures of teams in competitive situations on the field or court Utilize briefs columns to summarize the teams’ seasons as they progress Features focusing on sports personalities, issues or controversies can enliven the sports pages

Special Considerations for Design -- Photos They should not be an afterthought Seek design from the strength of good photos Use them in significant sizes and in interesting positions Well-written, detailed captions will add to the appeal of good pictures

Using Color Spot color is one color added to a b/w page Spot color can create unity through a publication Choose warm colors, like red, for spot color Avoid overusing color

Incorrect use of spot color

Using color, cont. Four-color (CMYK) is expensive and can only be used on certain pages without incurring additional costs News content and value should always be appropriate when designing with color

Pacing the Publication Vary the content and create flexible and varied story-telling forms Find ways to make past events fresh and interesting Infographics can “tell” a story in a less traditional form

Assignment Find a newspaper front page online http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/default.asp or look at a hard copy in the journalism lab Create a dummy sheet on a plain piece of paper depicting the front page You may have to work a bit to size it properly if your front page is longer than 11 inches (as many newspapers are) Please mark what everything is and the dimensions of each element