Basics of Page Design

1. Basics of Page Design

2. Page designers want readers to be able to proceed in an orderly manner as they scan page and move effortlessly from story to story • Need to arrange knowing (likely) will see picture, then headline. So arrange so can glide from picture to headline. (So why we don’t separate headline and start of story with photo)

3. The basics1. Modular shapes • One format dominates American journalism – modular format • Every story, along with pictures, graphics, etc., arranged in shape of square or rectangle. No odd (P or L) shapes.

4. 2. Contrast • Use an assortment of vertical and horizontal story shapes. • A page shouldn’t be three stories; 6 columns across on top of each other

5. 3. Dominant Art • Always start with the art. Find your dominant photo. Put that in. Then add that text. Move on to next photo (or graphic element). • Dominant photo (or graphic, etc.) placed on upper half of page, usually top right or left. Now, a lot of publications put it in the middle. Can take up a fifth of page. • Not too overly dominant please

6. 4. Page balance How will you make sure art is spread out? How will you make sure one side of page is not text heavy? Let’s look at this front page

7. 5. Gray space • You want to make sure the page isn’t mostly gray space.

8. 6. Headlines • Remember to vary. Usually 54 to 66 is biggest you will go. Again, let’s look at this page • Rule: Don’t let your headlines butt • Use decks, etc., to provide other ways for scanners to get information.

9. 7. Other images/elements • Make sure it’s clear with your design what photos/graphics go with what stories. • Use varied elements to draw readers to story/share information

10. 8. Rules • Rules are usually measured by their width and serve three functions: • Separate items on a page • Group items • Establish a page’s personality

11. 9. Type Serif (flourishes on end): body typeSans serif: Display type, accent type Most papers provide copy editors with a guide that spells out what is to be used for what 9 to 10 point body type