NEWSPAPER DESIGN AND LAYOUTChapter 16 – Joe Pappalardo

The Basics Size

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 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

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

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