1. Newspaper Design and Layout
Chapter 16 – Joe Pappalardo

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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