1. Newspaper Design and Layout
Get it right, design it tight

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

3. Principles of Good Design
Balance
Rhythm
Unity
Scale
Proportion
Visual hierarchy

4. 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

5. Balance Example

6. Balance Example

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

8. Rhythm Example

9. Rhythm Example

10. 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.

11. Unity Examples

12. 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

13. Scale Example
Grids!

14. 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

15. Proportion Example
Asymmetrical
2-3x larger

16. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

22. 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

23. Teasers
Shorter story
Visual Interest
Longer story

24. 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

25. Different grids
Ad space creates modules

26. 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

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

28. 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

29. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. Incorrect use of spot color

34. 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

35. 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

36. Assignment
Find a newspaper front page online 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