Newspaper Design and Layout Chapter 16 – Joe Pappalardo

The Basics Size Layout designer fills in the space Newsmagazines – 8.5 x 11 inches Tabloid – 11 x 17* Broadsheets 14 x 21 Layout designer fills in the space Keeps reader interested

Elements of Design Larger Text Heads – mini headlines within story Text – don’t “gray out” Larger Text Heads – mini headlines within story Transition between paragraphs Add pictures/graphics Use white space BALANCE

Principles of Good Design Balance – visually and evenly weighted Spread elements Decrease distractions Rhythm – visual flow Get people’s eyes moving Use varying sizes, coordinate typography Text spacing – “kerning”, etc. Unity – repeated elements throughout pages Use same text for most stories Exception: special features, in-depth stories

Good Design (cont.) Scale – consistent spacing Column alignment, grid – InDesign Proportion – Size = Importance Headliner size > sidebar One picture may be 2, 3 times bigger than others Visual Hierarchy – significance of information Top of the page is most important Reader’s eyes will move down to less important info Visual inverted pyramid

Information Packaging Example: single story, no visuals Designer can create secondary story using info given Designer can use photos and text elements to present Reader sees shorter presentation, reads main article Packages attract attention Prey on reader’s attention spans Higher visual hierarchy, surrounded with white space

Formatting Grids and columns Margins and space Number of columns depends on page size Wider columns = easier readability Tight grids can be used for captions, drop cap letters Margins and space White borders balance and align text Internal margins should be consistent Big white spaces will lose reader

Modular Design Placing information in 4-sided shapes Line up elements Allows for good flow

Lorem ipsum Preparing for Design Page dummy – sketching a plan Drawn in smaller size Consider placement options before using computer Inches are scaled on sides – scale model Done before stories are written Easily changeable Lorem ipsum

Special Considerations for Design Front page – first impression, different each issue Interesting, relevant Long stories and news briefs for wider audience Typography Not too fancy, but simple and functional Inside pages Headings (Fall Issue, News section, page 6, etc.) Varying column widths creates variety Balance facing pages

Considerations (cont.) Feature pages – strong visual/verbal connections Illustrations, photos, detail-oriented headlines Surround packages with extra white space Color can be used appropriately Experiment with typeface Editorial pages – “voice” of the staff Position should be clearly stated – Headline Face shots of writers – Moepinions Cartoons, polls, letters to editor Staff listing goes here

Considerations (cont.) Double Trucks / Center Spreads Middle 2 pages – big visual display Balance color with white space on edges Sports pages Action photos Brief columns, features Picture use Reader entry points Vertical/horizontal shapes are better Need good captions

Special Considerations for Color Spot Color – using a single color Cheaper, requires only one press, not 4 We use grey boxes Four-Color Expensive to produce High-saturation, not as vivid

Pacing the Publication Teamwork Find most effective way of telling stories Form teams of different kinds of people Writers, editors, illustrators, photographers Check your work at arm’s length Make sure it looks good from a reader’s point of view