LAYOUT, 2014LAYOUT, 2014

““Design without Design without thinking is like a story thinking is like a story with no plotwith no plot””

Pat Hansen Pat Hansen Design, 401 design

meditations

TerminologyTerminology Body copy (type) Body copy (type) Caption (onderskrif)Caption (onderskrif) Caption storieCaption storie Colophon (redaksielys)Colophon (redaksielys) Columns (kolomme)Columns (kolomme) Credits (byline/krediete)Credits (byline/krediete) Cross-headCross-head Deck (dek of reel)Deck (dek of reel) Drop capDrop cap Ear (oortjies)Ear (oortjies) FontFont GutterGutter HeadlineHeadline Intro, blurb, lead, standfirstIntro, blurb, lead, standfirst KickerKicker

LandscapeLandscape PortraitPortrait Lead story, page leadLead story, page lead LeadingLeading MugshotMugshot OverlineOverline Page furniturePage furniture Panel, boxPanel, box Placards, newsbillsPlacards, newsbills Points of entryPoints of entry Pull-quotePull-quote SideheadSidehead SlugSlug Stand-aloneStand-alone Standfirst (kassie)Standfirst (kassie)

The big 4The big 4 HeadlinesHeadlines BodytypeBodytype PicturesPictures Cutlines (onderskrifte)Cutlines (onderskrifte)

Basic typographyBasic typography ThereThere are thousands of lettertypes, are thousands of lettertypes,

also called fontsalso called fonts The Helvetica font family has The Helvetica font family has

different members: light, medium, different members: light, medium, bold, extended…bold, extended…

Helvetica blackHelvetica black Helvetica CondensedHelvetica Condensed Helvetica compressedHelvetica compressed

Sans what?Sans what?

This is a serif lettertypeThis is a serif lettertypeThis is This is ‘‘n sans serif lettertypen sans serif lettertype (sans means without in French)(sans means without in French)

This is a heading set as italicThis is a heading set as italic

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATIONLOCATION

The stand = the page The stand = the page The building line = the outline of the The building line = the outline of the

grid or print area grid or print area The foundation = the gridThe foundation = the grid Front door = main element on pageFront door = main element on page Windows = pictures, graphicsWindows = pictures, graphics Decorations = window frames, bell, Decorations = window frames, bell,

outside lights, drop caps, captions, outside lights, drop caps, captions, colour backgroundscolour backgrounds

The standThe stand The pageThe page Print areaPrint area Grid – Grid –

horizontal and horizontal and vertical vertical

ColumnsColumns GutterGutter Editorial and Editorial and

advertorial gridadvertorial grid

Size Size mattersmatters

BroadsheetBroadsheet TabloidTabloid Square tabSquare tab Berliner (not a set Berliner (not a set

size, depends on size, depends on printing press)printing press)

What is what?What is what? Broadsheets, tabloid, square tabloidBroadsheets, tabloid, square tabloid Ems and picas and centimeters tooEms and picas and centimeters too Gutters (die aflooppype)Gutters (die aflooppype) ColumnsColumns Bastard measurementsBastard measurements TextText PicturesPictures AdvertisementsAdvertisements Full colour, black and white, spot colourFull colour, black and white, spot colour

Grids and moreGrids and more

The top line is a 7 column The top line is a 7 column editorial grid structure for a editorial grid structure for a broadsheet like Die Burger or broadsheet like Die Burger or Beeld.Beeld.

The bottom line is a 10 The bottom line is a 10 column advertisement grid column advertisement grid structure for a broadsheet. structure for a broadsheet.

Put this on the pagePut this on the page The pageThe page Tabloid, broadsheet, Tabloid, broadsheet,

Berliner, short tabloidBerliner, short tabloid DimensionsDimensions Ems, picas and cmEms, picas and cm GridGrid GutterGutter ColumnsColumns Bastard Bastard

measurementsmeasurements

TextText PicturesPictures GraphicsGraphics AdvertisementsAdvertisements ColourColour Black and whiteBlack and white

Find a…Find a… OverheadOverhead MainheadMainhead SubheadSubhead Caption/cutlineCaption/cutline BoxBox Pull out quote (none)Pull out quote (none) Dropcap (none)Dropcap (none) Justified headline Justified headline Bastard measurementBastard measurement

The building blocksThe building blocks Text are the building Text are the building

blocks: remember blocks: remember that text isnthat text isn’’t one t one dimensionaldimensional

Headings are the roofHeadings are the roof Graphics, pictures are Graphics, pictures are

the windowsthe windows But where is the front But where is the front

door?door?

• Display headline• Intro• Drop cap (Initial cap)

• Jump line (a line telling the reader what page this story is jumping to), or also a refer if it tells the reader where in the paper you can read more about this story

• Info graphic

• Cutoff rule

Where is the front Where is the front door?door?

Entry pointsEntry points Look at the page in front of you, Look at the page in front of you,

what is the first thing you see?what is the first thing you see? The pictures, graphics, main The pictures, graphics, main

headline?headline? Pull out quotesPull out quotes

Type canType canbe sexy!be sexy!

HeadlinesHeadlines Good headlines have three elements Good headlines have three elements

according to Tim Sutton, a top according to Tim Sutton, a top newspaper designer and consultant:newspaper designer and consultant:

Space at the end of each deck (it creates Space at the end of each deck (it creates white space, a place for the reader to take a white space, a place for the reader to take a breath between all the copy on the page)breath between all the copy on the page)

Leading: (the space between the decks) If Leading: (the space between the decks) If the leading is done correctly, a heading that the leading is done correctly, a heading that consists out of more than one deck, will be consists out of more than one deck, will be read as one visual elementread as one visual element

Spacing of letters (tracking/kerning)Spacing of letters (tracking/kerning)

A heavy affairA heavy affair This is a 10 pt headline in Boomer Condensed BoldThis is a 10 pt headline in Boomer Condensed Bold

This is a 20 pt headline in Boomer Condensed BoldThis is a 20 pt headline in Boomer Condensed Bold

This is a 30 pt headline This is a 30 pt headline This is a 40 pt headlineThis is a 40 pt headline

This is a 50 pt This is a 50 pt And a 60 ptAnd a 60 pt

And 96 ptAnd 96 pt

HeadlinesHeadlines Serif of san serif?Serif of san serif? AscenderAscender DescenderDescender BaselineBaseline Tracking (decreases or Tracking (decreases or

increase spacing increase spacing between all the letters between all the letters in a word)in a word)

Kerning (decreases Kerning (decreases spacing between two spacing between two letters)letters)

ScalingScaling See Harrower p25See Harrower p25

More about headlinesMore about headlines Look at the pageLook at the page What draws your What draws your

attention?attention? And then…And then… Headlines are the Headlines are the

strongest weapon strongest weapon in you layout in you layout toolkittoolkit

Your story can be a prize winning Your story can be a prize winning story, the picture to, but can you see story, the picture to, but can you see it from 2 meters away?it from 2 meters away?

Layouters seldom write headlines, Layouters seldom write headlines, but if you want to create good layout, but if you want to create good layout, you need to know the ins and outs of you need to know the ins and outs of headlines, where it needs to be headlines, where it needs to be placed, and what the different fonts placed, and what the different fonts are and the sizes that are availableare and the sizes that are available

Source: Tim Harrower, The Newspaper Designer’s Notebook

How many decks?How many decks?1 col1 col 2col2col 3col3col 4col4col 5col5col 6col6col

3-3-44decks decks or linesor lines

2-32-3decks or decks or

lineslines

1-21-2decks or decks or

lineslines

1-21-2decks or decks or

lineslines

11deck or deck or

lineline

11

deck deck or or

lineline

Harrower page 29

Well written Well written headlinesheadlines

Write as people speak Write as people speak Use the present tense; ex. Mbeki Use the present tense; ex. Mbeki

vetos arms sales, not Arm sales are vetos arms sales, not Arm sales are vetoed by Mbekivetoed by Mbeki

Never break up wordsNever break up words If youIf you’’ve got an excellent heading, ve got an excellent heading,

talk to the layouter to enlarge or talk to the layouter to enlarge or decrease the sizedecrease the size

Remember Harrowers four functions:Remember Harrowers four functions: Headings sums up the storyHeadings sums up the story Headings prioritises stories, because Headings prioritises stories, because

more important stories get bigger more important stories get bigger headlinesheadlines

It entices readers to read the storyIt entices readers to read the story It anchors the layout of the story and It anchors the layout of the story and

creates hierarchy on the pagecreates hierarchy on the page

A 100 years ago many fonts were A 100 years ago many fonts were used in publicationsused in publications

Upper and lower case was usedUpper and lower case was used All headings were centeredAll headings were centered Today uppercase headings arenToday uppercase headings aren’’t t

used, except in tabloids used, except in tabloids Flush left is the normFlush left is the norm Can be used in many waysCan be used in many ways

CaptionsCaptions Check your factsCheck your facts DonDon’’t repeat the same word in the t repeat the same word in the

photo heading and the captionphoto heading and the caption If you use a historical picture, use the If you use a historical picture, use the

exact date, September 6, 1997 (the exact date, September 6, 1997 (the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales)funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales)

Source: Poynter

CaptionsCaptions

Identify the people from left to rightIdentify the people from left to right Include the ages, especially when Include the ages, especially when

there are children in the picturethere are children in the picture Bonus: include a quoteBonus: include a quote DonDon’’t attribute emotions to animals t attribute emotions to animals

Source: Naomi Halperin; Picture editor at THE MORNING CALL, Allentown, PA

PicturesPictures There are three basic There are three basic

forms: horizontal, vertical forms: horizontal, vertical & square& square

Horizontal: this is the most Horizontal: this is the most common shape for news common shape for news pics. We view the world pics. We view the world horizontally through our horizontally through our own eyes, and when u pick own eyes, and when u pick up a camera, this is the up a camera, this is the shape you instantly see – shape you instantly see – though some subjects (like though some subjects (like basketball players and basketball players and space shuttle launches) space shuttle launches) may demand a vertical may demand a vertical composition.composition.

Source: Tim Harrower, The Newsdesigner’s Handbook, Fifth Edition

PicturesPictures Square: Square:

Squares are sometimes Squares are sometimes considered the dullest of considered the dullest of the three shapes. the three shapes. Remember, though, that Remember, though, that the content of a photo is the content of a photo is more important than its more important than its shape. Accept each photo shape. Accept each photo on its own terms, and on its own terms, and design it onto the page so design it onto the page so itit’’s as strong as possible – s as strong as possible – whatever its shapewhatever its shape

PicturesPictures Vertical: Vertical Vertical: Vertical

shapes are often shapes are often considered more considered more dynamic than either dynamic than either squares or horizontals. squares or horizontals. Because verticals are Because verticals are often so deep, they often so deep, they often seem related to often seem related to any story parked any story parked alongside – even if alongside – even if they are not.they are not.

Source: Tim Harrower, The Newspaper Designers Handbook

Pictures and Pictures and cutlinescutlines

Who, where, when, Who, where, when, what and what and

Good cutlines Good cutlines expand on the expand on the content and doncontent and don’’t t repeat the obvious repeat the obvious in the photographin the photograph

A crop gone wrong

Pictures: the windowsPictures: the windows

Original picture Don’t drop type on the pic: unreadable, interferes with the action

WRITING

EDITING DESIGN

What is What is WED?WED? WED is writing, editing and designWED is writing, editing and design

ItIt’’s a philosophy: become a spesialist in one, but s a philosophy: become a spesialist in one, but have understanding for the other two cornershave understanding for the other two corners

Each corner is important, if one is more Each corner is important, if one is more important than the other, there is no important than the other, there is no integration between the different departments integration between the different departments of the newspapers (writers, photographers, of the newspapers (writers, photographers, subeditors, layouters)subeditors, layouters)

Break down the walls and work together for a Break down the walls and work together for a better productbetter product

WED was developed by Mario Garcia and Roy WED was developed by Mario Garcia and Roy Peter Clarke while they were at the Poynter Peter Clarke while they were at the Poynter InstituteInstitute

REMEMBERREMEMBER: the reader is the most : the reader is the most important personimportant person

Always ask the question: Always ask the question: HOW CAN I HOW CAN I HELP THE READER? HELP THE READER? (put on the hat (put on the hat of writer, editor and designer) Key of writer, editor and designer) Key elements:elements:

Plan your storiesPlan your stories Teamwork Teamwork Work togetherWork together Respect your audienceRespect your audience

Source: Ron Reason en Poynter

WritingWriting Think about the graphical potential of Think about the graphical potential of

your story: pictures, graphics, pie your story: pictures, graphics, pie chart, fever chart, info-boxchart, fever chart, info-box

Give all you background info to the Give all you background info to the graphic designer or designergraphic designer or designer

Write visuallyWrite visually Talk, talk and talk some moreTalk, talk and talk some more ResearchResearch

EditingEditing Break down the walls between the Break down the walls between the

word and the visual artistsword and the visual artists Talk about the strategy behind a Talk about the strategy behind a

story (the writer, graphic artist, story (the writer, graphic artist, layouter, photographers, content layouter, photographers, content manager)manager)

If you have a multi media desk: If you have a multi media desk: include them in discussionsinclude them in discussions

DesignDesign There is no WED without design, so there There is no WED without design, so there

can be no WED without writing andcan be no WED without writing and Visual artist ask: what is the story? What is Visual artist ask: what is the story? What is

the point of the story? What is the mood of the point of the story? What is the mood of the story?the story?

Look for graphical elements Look for graphical elements Swop hats with the writer and editorSwop hats with the writer and editor Remember: simplicity works bestRemember: simplicity works best Pictures, graphics, colour, typographyPictures, graphics, colour, typography

The reader and The reader and WEDWED

Readers donReaders don’’t give a tick for WED: they t give a tick for WED: they just except that the layout must draw just except that the layout must draw them into the page and let them read them into the page and let them read what is on the page.what is on the page.

‘‘Grab me through my eyes. Pull me Grab me through my eyes. Pull me by my neck, by my neck, and lead me to the text, even if I and lead me to the text, even if I am not so interested in the story to am not so interested in the story to begin withbegin with’’

But where to But where to start?start?

Look at the page in front of youLook at the page in front of you Is it a left hand or a right hand page?Is it a left hand or a right hand page? How does the advertisements look?How does the advertisements look? Is the style of your newspaper modular?Is the style of your newspaper modular? Read the copy! Can you include a Read the copy! Can you include a

mugshot? Can a graphic be included?mugshot? Can a graphic be included? Rather keep the graphics and pictures Rather keep the graphics and pictures

away from the adsaway from the ads

Does everything Does everything fit?fit?

To much copy for the page?To much copy for the page? Call the content manager and Call the content manager and

discuss the stories and pagediscuss the stories and page Remember: a page has boundariesRemember: a page has boundaries Remember the front door: what on Remember the front door: what on

the page must catch the attention of the page must catch the attention of the reader FIRSTthe reader FIRST

So much So much copy, copy, pictures, pictures, and then and then therethere’’s s adsadstoo!too!

It does’nt fit!It does’nt fit! Cut the text (10% is the rule of Cut the text (10% is the rule of

thumb)thumb) Crop the pic (a little at the top, or Crop the pic (a little at the top, or

bottom, otherwise resize)bottom, otherwise resize) Trim the story at the bottom, next or Trim the story at the bottom, next or

under the story under the story Can the heading be reduced in size?Can the heading be reduced in size? Can the ad be moved?????Can the ad be moved?????

Too short, what now? Too short, what now? Check comments – can what has Check comments – can what has

been cut out, be put back?been cut out, be put back? Enlarge the picEnlarge the pic Pull out quote? Mug shot?Pull out quote? Mug shot? Enlarge the headlineEnlarge the headline DonDon’’t copyfit, only in extreme t copyfit, only in extreme

circumstancescircumstances House adsHouse ads

Jumping JackJumping Jack When you wrap copy around a pic, When you wrap copy around a pic,

leave at least 5-6 lines beneath the leave at least 5-6 lines beneath the pic/graphicpic/graphic

Watch out for narrow copy (6 ems for Watch out for narrow copy (6 ems for pic captions, 8 ems for a story)pic captions, 8 ems for a story)

Not to wide = max is 20 ems, and Not to wide = max is 20 ems, and then ragged right the copythen ragged right the copy

What draws What draws attention?attention?

www.poynter.org Readers like colour on a page, but itReaders like colour on a page, but it’’s not s not

a guarantee that they will read the pagea guarantee that they will read the page A big, dominant picture or other visual A big, dominant picture or other visual

element, in FC or BW, will draw the element, in FC or BW, will draw the attention of the reader FIRSTattention of the reader FIRST

Readers look first at the right hand page Readers look first at the right hand page and then at the left hand pageand then at the left hand page

What draws What draws atttention?atttention?

Colour washes (screens), in FC or Colour washes (screens), in FC or BW, also draws the readers BW, also draws the readers attentionattention

The size and where you place the The size and where you place the visual element, is more important visual element, is more important than if the visual element is in colour than if the visual element is in colour or BWor BW

Rock the boat: A strong main Rock the boat: A strong main headline can also be the first headline can also be the first element that readers look atelement that readers look at

LookLook What is the What is the

focus point?focus point? Picture bylinePicture byline HeadlineHeadline SubheadSubhead Colour screenColour screen

ColourColour What are the colours that your newspaper uses?What are the colours that your newspaper uses?

According to Mario Garcia the three elements of According to Mario Garcia the three elements of colour is: 1. movement 2. temperature 3. colour is: 1. movement 2. temperature 3. symbolismsymbolism

Some colours are wall flowers, others are in Some colours are wall flowers, others are in your faceyour face

Blue and grey are wall flowers, not as bold as Blue and grey are wall flowers, not as bold as red and yellow that scream red and yellow that scream ‘‘READ MEREAD ME’’

Blue and grey also donBlue and grey also don’’t have as much t have as much movement as redmovement as red

In the subediting In the subediting officeoffice

When in doubt, ask or put in When in doubt, ask or put in commentcomment

DonDon’’t talk on deadlinet talk on deadline Leave cellphone chats for laterLeave cellphone chats for later Get a notebookGet a notebook Use your spell checkUse your spell check Use your dictionaryUse your dictionary

The wise men….The wise men…. Tim STim Suttouttonn Kenny IrbyKenny Irby Mario GarciaMario Garcia Ron ReasonRon Reason www.poynter.org Tim HarrowerTim Harrower Charles AppleCharles Apple Yacek Utko Yacek Utko For pdfs - NewseumFor pdfs - Newseum

Short tabloidsShort tabloids