Newspaper Design

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Newspaper pages come in a variety of sizes, but the two mostcommon formats are broadsheet (13 1/2” x 21”) and tabloid(10 1/4” x 16”).

Front Page News Front Page News

Is formatted into 5 columns per page for a TABLOID size paper.

Graphics on the FRONT PAGEGraphics on the FRONT PAGE

►Broadsheets (Broadsheets (Austin American-Austin American- StatesmanStatesman) and tabloid () and tabloid (The Paw PrintThe Paw Print) ) formats incorporate the same basic formats incorporate the same basic elements:elements:

►headlines, text, photos and captions.headlines, text, photos and captions. The front page will have some The front page will have some additional design elements, such as a additional design elements, such as a nameplate (or flag) and teasers.nameplate (or flag) and teasers.

Steps in Designing a Steps in Designing a 5 Column Front Page 5 Column Front Page Tabloid NewspaperTabloid Newspaper

Step 1 – Placing the Teasers and Step 1 – Placing the Teasers and Nameplate on the SpreadNameplate on the Spread

►Place the standing elements on the Place the standing elements on the page first. The standing elements page first. The standing elements include the nameplate and teasers. include the nameplate and teasers.

►Teasers can go above the nameplate Teasers can go above the nameplate across the page, across the bottom of across the page, across the bottom of the page or down one side of the page. the page or down one side of the page.

►When these are placed on the page, When these are placed on the page, there should be a rectangular space left there should be a rectangular space left for the front page story.for the front page story.

Notice on your handout where Notice on your handout where the skyboxes are placed and the skyboxes are placed and

where the nameplate is where the nameplate is included.included.

Step 2 – Adding DUMMY text Step 2 – Adding DUMMY text and photo boxesand photo boxes

► Determine how many stories will be placed on Page Determine how many stories will be placed on Page One, along with headlines, artwork, photographs, One, along with headlines, artwork, photographs, captions, sidebars, etc. captions, sidebars, etc.

► For a tabloid layout, one or two stories will be For a tabloid layout, one or two stories will be sufficient. sufficient.

► If you have more than that, the stories will have to If you have more than that, the stories will have to jump to ajump to a

► different page, a practice readers and judges do not different page, a practice readers and judges do not like very well.like very well.

► Dummy in the modules that will make up your page Dummy in the modules that will make up your page by using placeholder text. If you have one story, by using placeholder text. If you have one story, you will have one module. If you have two stories, you will have one module. If you have two stories, there will be two modules.there will be two modules.

► Place your stories on the page, dividing them into Place your stories on the page, dividing them into columns of equal length. The first column should columns of equal length. The first column should provide room for the byline at the top of the column. provide room for the byline at the top of the column. The number of columns will depend on the size of The number of columns will depend on the size of your artwork or photograph, and the number of other your artwork or photograph, and the number of other elements you have to go with the story. elements you have to go with the story.

► The top story on the page should have the dominant The top story on the page should have the dominant photograph. If there are two photographs on the photograph. If there are two photographs on the page, the bottom photograph should be on the page, the bottom photograph should be on the opposite side of the page from the top photograph to opposite side of the page from the top photograph to achieve balance. achieve balance.

► Leave room for your headline, which should go either Leave room for your headline, which should go either above the story or to the left of the story.above the story or to the left of the story.

► Make sure that the columns line up at the top and Make sure that the columns line up at the top and bottom.bottom.

This illustration is an example This illustration is an example of a DUMMY module withof a DUMMY module with

placeholder text. placeholder text.

Step 3 – Adding Photos and Step 3 – Adding Photos and CaptionsCaptions

► Carefully place your photographs or artwork on the Carefully place your photographs or artwork on the page.page.

► Photographs require captions which should be Photographs require captions which should be placed below, above, or adjacent to the placed below, above, or adjacent to the photographs. Allow room for a photo credit for photographs. Allow room for a photo credit for each. Artwork requires a credit as well.each. Artwork requires a credit as well.

► Place your captions. Captions should be set no Place your captions. Captions should be set no more than 2 columns in width. A three column more than 2 columns in width. A three column photo’s caption can be divided into two 1 1/2-photo’s caption can be divided into two 1 1/2-column legs. If captions are adjacent to the lower column legs. If captions are adjacent to the lower part of the story, as in the illustration, make sure part of the story, as in the illustration, make sure the captions line up with the stories on the bottom the captions line up with the stories on the bottom edge. edge.

► Finish the page by placing the headlines and the Finish the page by placing the headlines and the bylines for the stories. Double check to make sure bylines for the stories. Double check to make sure the internal margins remain consistent. There the internal margins remain consistent. There should be one pica of space between elements, should be one pica of space between elements, unless your specific newspaper layout style calls for unless your specific newspaper layout style calls for a different measurement. The example to the left is a different measurement. The example to the left is modular. The elements for Story 1 include the modular. The elements for Story 1 include the headline, story with byline, photo and caption. This headline, story with byline, photo and caption. This entire package forms a rectangular module.entire package forms a rectangular module.

► Story 2 consists of a photo with caption, headline, Story 2 consists of a photo with caption, headline, subhead, story with byline and a sidebar. All of the subhead, story with byline and a sidebar. All of the elements in this package form a rectangular elements in this package form a rectangular module.module.

► In addition, the teasers and nameplate form In addition, the teasers and nameplate form another module.another module.

Adding Headlines, Bylines, Subheads, Sidebars and Photo Credit

What your front page might look What your front page might look likelike

Design TipsDesign Tips

► All story packages should be shaped like All story packages should be shaped like rectangles.rectangles.

► Every page should have a dominant photo or Every page should have a dominant photo or artwork.artwork.

► Every story must have a headline.Every story must have a headline.► Every photo must have a caption.Every photo must have a caption.► Use no more than three typefaces per page, Use no more than three typefaces per page,

including the typeface used in the nameplate.including the typeface used in the nameplate.► Headlines should get smaller as you move Headlines should get smaller as you move

down the page.down the page.

Graphics include:Graphics include:

►Rule lines,Rule lines,►Screens and tints,Screens and tints,►Photographs or artwork,Photographs or artwork,►Planned white space andPlanned white space and► Infographics.Infographics.

A .5 rule line around photos is the standard.

Screens can give the effect of color even if using only black and white.

Infographics are

►Graphs (from surveys)►Charts (from polls)►Sidebars (Quick Reads or Stats)

We will recreate this front page together. Note We will recreate this front page together. Note that not all the copy will fit since this paper is that not all the copy will fit since this paper is

a broadsheet and we are using a tabloid a broadsheet and we are using a tabloid template.template.