Layout and design

Terms

BannerTitle, volume, date, edition, place published

MastheadTitle, editors,
publishers, date, mission
statement

Page elements
1. Copy or textwords set in type
2. Graphics, artphotos, artwork, devices such
as lines
3. White spaceblank areas on page

Page elements
1. Copy or textwords set in type
2. Graphics, artphotos, artwork, devices
such as lines
3. White spaceblank areas on page

1.

Other page
elements
Nameplate-displays
name of

newspaper
2. Folios-page numbers
3. Bylines-credits that identify
writers
4. Jumpline-line of copy that
indicates page where story
continues

Lay out elements

Double-truck or centerspread
spread in center of publication printed
as one sheet of paper
Facing pages--Two inside pages that
face each other but not on same sheet
of paper

Basic Principals of Design

Dominance
1. One dominant element at least 2.5 times as large
as any other element on every single page and
every double page spread.
2. Place where eye enters the page
3. Without it reader will skip to page that attracts
eye.
4. Can be photo, graphic; should be tied to main
headline of story

Unity-consistent margins
Pica-unit of measurement (12 points in a pica/6
picas in one inch)
Internal margins
1 pica between
elements

External margins
3 4 picas at page top
4-5 picas at page side
5-6 picas at page
bottom

Unity
Double page spread--run photo across
gutter; ties two pages together making them
appear one connected page
Use eyeline: one pica of horizontal white
space across spread (should run at least six
picas above or below center of spread)
Use boxes, rules, screens to pull related
page elements together

Contrast-use of opposites in size,

shape, color, tone
In headline design vary primary and
secondary lines
Feature one dominant photo contrasted by
several smaller photos or graphics
Use boxes, rules, screens to serve as
barriers to guide readers eye around a page

Balance
Big bold graphic elements are placed
toward center
White space, story copy, headlines, and
captions are pushed to outside so that pages
do not weigh heavily to one side or another

Consistency
Keep certain elements unchanged
Byline
Folio
Headline design

Tips on design
1. Allow content to drive design: Structure and
format are wonderful, but only as long as they
allow the ability to react to the unexpected.
2. Develop a visual personality: Reflect the
community that is being served.
3. Give the same care and attention to words as
design: Headlines and captions should not be
dull ... boring ... Lifeless. Do not let them
become lost in the production process on the
copy desk. Headlines and captions should say
something, and not be left to the end of the
process.

More tips on design

4. Package information in a lively
manner: Should reflect the "urgency ...
vitality of daily life."
5. Keep it simple: Avoid fads that
interfere with effective communication.
Working with every tool available (color,
graphics, photographs, pull quotes, etc.)
does not mean using all of them at once.

More design tips

6. Treat typography with respect: Remember
the basics ... type is not, and never was,
intended to be elastic.
7. Take care with the details: Remember that
no matter how good the design, poor
production values can destroy it.
8. Surprise the reader and have fun: Every
paper should contain a surprise for the
readers... something that should stop
them and make them take notice.

Laying out pages

PLAN
Create dummie sheets (full size drawings of
pages showing where all page elements will
appear.)
Modular formatpackage story, headline,
accompanying graphic elements in to a
rectangular unit.

Designing inside pages

Identify and place main story
Place dominant element
Fill in with remaining smaller story units;
include sidebars, photos, and pull quotes
Ads placed to the outside of the page or
across the bottom with one pica of white space
between them; tops of ads should be even

Designing editorial page

Masthead should be placed at bottom of
editorial page
Editorial cartoon frequently dominant
element
Ads are inappropriate on editorial page

Designing a double truck

Rule of thirds
Divide the frame into thirds horizontally

And
vertically

Thirds....
This is a photo example of notice that the dot represents
the part of the photo our eye comes to rest on...this part of
the photo shows contrast in color and shape to the rest of
the photo and thus attracts more attention.