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Newspaper Designer's Handbook with CD-ROM
The Newspaper Designer’s Handbook is a step by step guide to every aspect of newspaper design, from basic page layout to complex infographics. The new edition is now in 4-color and introduces a new chapter on web design. This textbook is for journalism students and professionals alike. It is loaded with examples, advice, design ideas, and exercises that teach students how to manipulate the basic elements of design (photos, headlines, and text); create charts, maps, and diagrams; design attractive photo spreads; add effective, appealing sidebars to complex stories; create lively, engaging feature page designs; work with color; and redesign a newspaper.
272 pages, Spiral-bound
First published October 1, 1991
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July 23, 2014Informational graphics key to a good looking page: "papers don't just report the news--they illustrate it with charts, maps, diagrams, quotes and fast-fact sidebars that make complex issues easier for readers to grasp.
I like what he refers to as the "magazine cover" look on page 7. "These pages use big art and dynamic headlines to highlight a special centerpiece."
Editorial is "unsigned opinion pieces representing the newspaper's stance on topical issues" while an opinion column is generally attributable to an individual or individuals.
These authors recommend writing up a dummy page before sitting at the computer to design a newspaper page. That is, a plan for where the images, text, headlines, cutlines will go. They suggest that this is ultimately easier. What do we do? Could we do it better?
Chapter on Story Design has countless good ideas on design as well as ideas on what to avoid, including dozens of photographs on "Good," "Fair," "Okay" and "Weak" design. Some common rules: Stories should be shaped like a rectangle, the headline should always touch the start of the story, avoid interrupting any leg of text with an art element, and avoid running art below text. Finally, faces in art should be at least the size of a dime.
"Make every page at least one-third art." "Boxing a story gives it visual emphasis.' How many columns are in our basic grid? You can have one story that deviates from that grid, usually your lead story on that page. Always have a dominant image. Avoid butting headlines.
Ideas for what to do if a story is too long/too short for your design. Rules of thumb on page 93.
Find a checklist for newspaper photography on page 124.
Why do we not need section headings? Is that unusual for a school newspaper?
Liftout quotes: "For maximum impact and better balance, dummy quotes symmetrically or create a point/counterpoint effect with two mugs (center). Or combine multiple quotes into an attractive package."
Use a deck with all "clever" headlines.
Do we need a graphics editor? On page 153, several ideas on different types of graphics that one can use: charts, lists, etc., etc.
I like what he refers to as the "magazine cover" look on page 7. "These pages use big art and dynamic headlines to highlight a special centerpiece."
Editorial is "unsigned opinion pieces representing the newspaper's stance on topical issues" while an opinion column is generally attributable to an individual or individuals.
These authors recommend writing up a dummy page before sitting at the computer to design a newspaper page. That is, a plan for where the images, text, headlines, cutlines will go. They suggest that this is ultimately easier. What do we do? Could we do it better?
Chapter on Story Design has countless good ideas on design as well as ideas on what to avoid, including dozens of photographs on "Good," "Fair," "Okay" and "Weak" design. Some common rules: Stories should be shaped like a rectangle, the headline should always touch the start of the story, avoid interrupting any leg of text with an art element, and avoid running art below text. Finally, faces in art should be at least the size of a dime.
"Make every page at least one-third art." "Boxing a story gives it visual emphasis.' How many columns are in our basic grid? You can have one story that deviates from that grid, usually your lead story on that page. Always have a dominant image. Avoid butting headlines.
Ideas for what to do if a story is too long/too short for your design. Rules of thumb on page 93.
Find a checklist for newspaper photography on page 124.
Why do we not need section headings? Is that unusual for a school newspaper?
Liftout quotes: "For maximum impact and better balance, dummy quotes symmetrically or create a point/counterpoint effect with two mugs (center). Or combine multiple quotes into an attractive package."
Use a deck with all "clever" headlines.
Do we need a graphics editor? On page 153, several ideas on different types of graphics that one can use: charts, lists, etc., etc.
July 21, 2020
An excellent resource for late 90's newspaper design (which is why I purchased it). It's definitely a textbook -- which is what it is, so if you're looking for something that isn't focused on education, then I would look elsewhere. Fundamentals galore, with great resources on things like sizing, spacing and layout. Exactly what I was looking for.
March 13, 2008
Fantastic, fun and user friendly, Harrower's book has to be the best guide to newspaper design yet invented. It works well as an intro for beginners or a refesher for the more experienced. Aside from Harrower's lively voice, a big plus to the numerous visual examples, especially templates for good, fair and risky design, all of which help readers/learners visualize. My high school newspaper staff and I would be lost without it.
June 17, 2009
This is a wonderful resource for newspaper design and graphic arts. When our textbook adaption comes around again I will strongly push to have both of Tim Harrower's books as our classroom text. I use this to teach parts of a newspaper page, display heads and photo pages. A very bright, graphic and engaging book. My students really enjoy it.
December 27, 2007
Great resource for learning newspaper design. Eight years after learning the basics of layout, I still return to this book every once in a while for inspiration.
October 25, 2014
This book is helpful for anyone interested in journalism or designing. Lot of pictures and current examples make it engaging and a quick read.
July 28, 2015
A must have book for an editorial designer. It's very helpful, explains a newspaper anatomy from the scratch.
June 26, 2008
Awesome resource
October 29, 2014
Reference material for a newsletter I published in 2010/2011
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews