Design thread

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

I almost shed a tear, but I caught it just in time.

Anyway, the Olympics thread has shed some light on what's really wrong with page designers.

They are the epitome of the "let everyone win; don't criticize anyone" mentality. We can't criticize any pages; everything has to be good in its own little way, even when it sucks large testicles, as this page does.

Every designer has to get a sugar cookie, a meaningless award and a small pat on the head. That's a good designer; now go back to pretending to read copy and let the real journalists do the work.

Problem is, the fan base is starting to shrink. Every time a designer gets the sugar cookie and the meaningless award, the newspaper is dumbed down, and readers go elsewhere. As a result, designers will never have the clout they think they will, and they are the only ones who fail to realize it.

But they'll still have their sugar cookie and their meaningless award.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

Once again, say something or STFU. You said nothing about design there. You just pushed along your sad little agenda.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

Much like a couple of previous posts, but OK:

Why have the bottom of the photo right on top of the headline?

Why cut the decks below so short, or even have two of them going all the way across? And if you have that much space to say something, better say something, not just "It's important to ..."

And sticking those refers where they are makes little sense.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

I'm going to totally agree on these two points.

1. That photo smack down on head is NOT a good design idea, serves no good purpose at all. It's a designer trying to be too cute.

2. Filling decks has always been a pet peeve of mine. I know a lot of people who just write three-line read-ins as one line, let it break where it may, and if it fills half the third line, fine. That's nonsensical. If you have a 1-14-3 read-in, you treat it just like a headline, with each line reasonably close to a 20-count.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

Does anybody's section out there have a rail that is on the front page every day? What are some tips to better use the space to our advantage?

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

On our rail, we typically run a local scoreboard the night of games, schedule, sometimes a tease to an inside story and a couple local briefs - nothing new to anyone on this board I'm sure.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

If you have a big enough section, you should use your rail to teast what's inside. Of course, we don't have a rail and we end up referring to almost everything inside on some days.

If you're smaller, use it as a quick glance where readers can get what they need and go. Make it a rail for casual readers. Give local scores (with refers to related stories maybe), maybe even national scores. Throw on a couple or three good little briefs. Try to make one quirky if you can, something that readers will talk about that might not normally get in. Maybe have a schedule of local games that are being played that day. Heck, even throw in a little quick-hit from a columnist maybe. the Day's Take or whatever. Whatever you put there, make it something readers will want to look for, not just a rail to have a rail.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

Our rail is a sealed thing... It is the same every day. We have a local playmaker, a quoteable, a look at what is coming the next day, a listing of TV that night and AP Sportlight. It is something I have to deal with, it's not going to change, it's part of the style guide.

Along the lines of a style guide, does everyone have one? My paper now does, but my last stop didn't. Is it a staple of larger papers? I understand the size difference of the paper I was with and the paper I am at now, but the freedom issue is a bit suffocating at times.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

Bigger papers will have style guides, but as long as you stay within certain bounds, I've found you can get away with fudging things some. Especially if what you turn out is good. Sure, there are purists at every paper, people who say, "This is our style, and never shall we diverge from it." I drive those people crazy sometimes. But 9 times out of 10, what I do looks good, so the people higher up like it.

What are the issues that you find so suffocating about your paper's style guide?

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

The biggest thing is that we can't do anything with pictures, headlines etc unless it's a feature. And by the rules laid down, things like signing stories are not features. In my opinion, if it's not a gamer, it's likely a feature.
I got in some real hot water with my Super Bowl stuff because it was flashy (looking back it was quite overdone).
I also hate the fact that I can't do any treatment on a headline. The best feedback from the community came from two covers, one that had grass in the headline and another with fire. That has since been nixed along with color and drop shadowed headlines.
I'm also not allowed to put any kind of screen behind the text. No reverse type, no nothing.
I guess I just have to deal with it and make the best of the situation.

Have to kick in about the World though, they are the best-looking paper in the state, hands down. They are never afraid to try something new.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

Your paper sounds like it has its shit together.

 

Re: Design thread *Updated 2/6*

A lot of papers are pretty tight on their rules unless they know the designers can pull stuff off. I get away with a lot at the World because I can do it well. And sometimes I screw up and they tell me to never, ever do it again. Some stuff I try is downright magaziney. I personally think color's making a comeback in design, in headlines, screens, etc. I've been using it some myself. Not too much. Just when I want to emphasize something or it looks really good. (Did it the other day on a Cowboy Bill Watts story and it turned out awesome.)

And a lot of papers are nutzo about reverse-type and screens because it makes the presses cry. If you don't do it right, it can be a disaster. It's worked both ways for me.

A lot of these rules are made for a reason, though. The paper wants a certain look. Thus, you have to learn to live within those parameters and see how far you can stretch them. We use just a few fonts for headlines here (Minion Display, Semibold and Compact, and Franklin Gothic Condensed and Extra Condensed). You just learn to use them in different ways. I've earned the ability to stretch things here because I've done some good stuff, and every now and then I could probably get away with breaking the rules. Of course, it helps that the people above me like good design.

And thanks for the compliment. I think the World's got a good look to it, too. That's one of the reasons I came here.