Basics of Page Design. Page designers want readers to be able to proceed in an orderly manner as they scan page and move effortlessly from story to.

Basics of Page Design

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)

The basics1. Modular shapes

1) 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.

• Why we don't use L layouts

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

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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Rules

Rules are usually measured by their width and serve three functions: Separate items on a page

Group items

Establish a page’s personality

8. 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