Principles of Successful News Design
News design is the strategic planning of designing content on a paper page, in accordance with graphic and editorial guidelines. Main editorial objectives include the arranging of news events by category, with special emphasis on the newsworthiness of the subject matter, and the organization of news segments by time and relevance. The layout may be predicated on layout ideas from the news department or the press, or based on the judgment of the designer. Designing the layout for the newsroom can be a challenge, since many current events are of interest to a wide audience, and it is not always easy to anticipate what news will be covered in the future. News design has therefore become an art form and there is a great deal of thought that must go into making the final product.
The history of news design dates back to the days when newspapers printed word-of-mouth announcements and editorials, rather than paid advertisements. This made newsworthy material more digestible and appealing to a wider audience. In the wake of the First World War, new technology and printing techniques were introduced that were designed to simplify the production of news print. Modern methods of news presentation and graphic design have since improved the quality of news and increased its appeal to the general public. Newspaper design and graphic design have therefore entered a new era in the history of publishing news and information.
Today, most newspapers adhere to a uniform design and formatting policy, which makes the production of news much easier. This continuity is also necessary to create a professional look. Most newspapers employ the services of a news designer who is responsible for the coordination and planning of newspaper layouts. News designers generally belong to the advertising department, but some also work as part of the editorial staff. They take care of choosing the right fonts, the right colors, and create the layout according to the specific requirements of each particular newspaper.
Another principle of successful newspaper design is that the layout should be easy to navigate and understand. A common mistake is for a designer to end up making the newspaper look cluttered and chaotic, when in fact it is actually the organization of the text and graphics that makes it appealing to readers. It is important to remember that newspapers are read by people who are not formally trained in the art of layout and web design. Therefore, newspapers, unlike web sites, require less interaction and navigation assistance from the user.
Newspapers today are also realizing the benefits of hiring freelance designers to produce their news design on a part-time basis. For small publications, it is not always feasible to hire professional designers on a full-time basis. Freelance designers have the benefit of being affordable, and they are usually available to do freelance work at any time. Many talented designers have successfully established successful businesses as freelance designers for newspapers and magazines.
Arnold and Co.’s website design has garnered many accolades, including being one of the best websites of the year. With hundreds of articles and many graphics, Arnold and Co. delivers impeccable web design. The company’s news design was recognized by Apple as one of the best designs for the site. Not only does Arnold and Co. keep its subscribers up-to-date with regular content, but the website designers are responsible for the site’s functionality and navigation.