Layout and design
Terms
Banner—Title, volume, date, edition, place published
Masthead—Title, editors,
publishers, date, mission
statement
Page elements
1. Copy or text—words set in type
2. Graphics, art—photos, artwork, devices such
as lines
3. White space—blank areas on page
type
2. Graphics, art—photos,
artwork, devices such as lines
3. White space—blank areas on
page
Other page elements
1. 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 reader’s 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 format—package 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.