Download - Newspaper Design and Layout
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