1. Page Design Basics How do page designers move from a blank page, like the one on the left, to a well- developed layout?

2. Page Design Basics First of all, imagine you have four major stories to place on the page.

3. Page Design Basics A beginner might make this mistake … … of putting one into each of the four quadrants.

4. Page Design Basics Imagine how bland this layout would be — not to mention confusing and distracting. Principal begins year Homecoming next week Backpacks disallowed ASB officers plan activities Flag

5. Page Design Basics A major problem with this layout is that nothing jumps out, grabs your attention.

6. Page Design Basics So, for starters, a page designer sets up a grid, beginning with quadrants.

7. Page Design Basics It gets a bit more complex, like graph paper. Six columns is common with one row for each inch.

8. Page Design Basics Using the grids as guidelines, the shapes can be altered, as long as they remain rectangles. Flag

9. Page Design Basics Each story fills a rectangle. Each rectangle is called a module. This is what is known as modular design. Flag

10. Page Design Basics Within each story’s module you can place more modules, which can hold pictures or other attention- grabbing items. Flag

11. Page Design Basics Now, with a good picture, the backpack story clearly jumps out to the reader. No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming Flag

12. Compare the two … Flag No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming Principal begins year Homecoming next week Backpacks disallowed ASB officers plan activities Flag

13. So what makes this work? Flag No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming

14. So what makes this work? Flag No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming It follows the principles of modular design.

15. So what makes this work? Flag No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming It has a dominant image.

16. So what makes this work? Flag No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming Story modules are varied in size and shape; they are balanced.

17. So what makes this work? Flag No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming Art elements are balanced — in size as well as placement.

18. So what makes this work? Flag No backpacks Big plans for year ASB stays busy Homecoming week upcoming Headlines are varied in size, width, and depth. (But note: They are all the same font.)