Editing
Page Design & Layout
Page Layout
• One of the most important things editors do
Page Layout
• One of the most important things editors do
• You decide what is important
Page Layout
• One of the most important things editors do
• You decide what is important
• You decide on emphasis (what’s more or
less important)
Page Layout
• How do pages work?
• We don’t really know.
Page Layout
• How do pages work?
• We don’t really know.
• A scientific approach:
Page Layout
• How do pages work?
• We don’t really know.
• A scientific approach:
 Eyetrack
 More about Eyetrack
Principles of Design
• Proportion — The ratio between elements on a
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page.
Balance — Establishes the page’s equilibrium
Contrast —Using two dramatically different
elements to draw the reader’s attention
Unity — Makes the page look like a planned and
cohesive unit.
Movement — Leads the reader’s eye direction
Basic Principles
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Top to bottom
Left to right
Modular — everything in rectangles
Avoid bumping heads
Principles
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Top to bottom
Let to right
Entry point
Balance
Contrast
Everything in rectangles
Avoid bumping heads
Modular page design
Putting the puzzle together
Text
Putting the puzzle together
Text
Photos
Putting the puzzle together
Text
Photos
Headlines
Putting the puzzle together
Text
Photos
Headlines
Infographics
Putting the puzzle together
Text
Photos
Headlines
Infographics
First step is to list and measure
Layout trends
• Usually one story, although news-based, is given
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feature play.
Use shorter stories
Break stories into segments
Fewer jumps
More sells or showcases
More color
Creative use of white space
Variety of column widths
So how do you lay out open pages?
• Keep all story shapes rectangular
• Vary your shapes and sizes of stories and
art.
• Emphasize what’s important.
Beware of bad juxtapositions
• Analyze every page
design to determine:
 If a photo sits at the
intersection of two
stories in a way that
confuses readers
 If two stories - or their
headlines - seem
inappropriate together
on the same page
Give each page a dominant image
Balance and scatter art
Beware of butting headlines
Front page design
• Every paper’s news
philosophy is visibly
reflected on Page
One:
 In the play of photos
 In the style of
headlines
 The variety of graphics
 The number of stories
What’s wrong with these story
designs?
What’s wrong with these page
designs?