LAYOUT & DESIGN
HANDBOOK
Stories
Headlines
Photos
Cutlines
Basic Public Affairs Specialist-Writer
Defense Information School
October 2008
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BPAS-W
LAYOUT & DESIGN HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
DESIGN PRINCIPLES ....................................................................................................5
Chapter 2
DESKTOP PUBLISHING PRINCIPLES..............................................................................13
Pagemaker, Basic How-To Instructions ....................................................................20
Practice Exercise
SPORTS PAGE ..............................................................................................................22
Exercise 1
INSIDE NEWS PAGE .....................................................................................................27
Exercise 2
FRONT PAGE ...............................................................................................................36
Exercise 3
FEATURE PAGE ...........................................................................................................45
Exercise 4
PHOTO PAGE ...............................................................................................................49
Exercise 5
FINAL PRODUCT ..........................................................................................................60
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Chapter 1
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Objective:
• Produce an internal product
Years ago, people had plenty of time to read newspapers. In many cases newspapers
were the primary tools used to communicate information to people. They didn’t have as
many media choices as they do today. Today, people receive news and entertainment from
such media as television, the Internet and satellite radio. These forms of media take little
work. All you have to do is turn them on, sit back and mindlessly absorb the information. On
the other hand, newspapers take work. People have to make a conscious effort to get
information from a newspaper. With this in mind, it is our job to make this effort as easy as
possible for our readers. Modern publication design has to be inviting, easy to grasp and
instantly informative. Design is as important as writing articles or taking photographs. It is
part of the communication process.
A quick history
One of America’s first publications was published during colonial times – more than
300 years ago. Publick Occurrences and publications like it were small – the size of
pamphlets or newsletters. There was little consideration for making these publications
pleasing to the eye. Most ran news in deep columns of text. Few headlines were used and
most were void of any art.
By the 19th century, most newspapers in America took on a different look. A new
trend developed – the use of multiple drop headlines or decks. The text ran in long,
monotonous columns with little or no artwork to break up its gray appearance.
In the 20th century newspapers began to take on an appearance we are more familiar
with today. These publications started running bigger and bolder headlines and art. The
multiple decks started to fade away. However, most publications still used an eight or ninecolumn grid system. Many used fine lines to separate the columns of text.
In the not-so-distant past, many newspaper designers began to convert their pages
into six-column grids. Headline typefaces began to become more sophisticated. Editors
began to understand the importance of art and photos to help convey a message. White space,
instead of lines, was used to separate columns of text.
Compared to those publications throughout our history, most of today’s papers have
clean lines, are easy to navigate, rely heavily on art and graphics, and are colorful. Modern
publications also rely on packaging stories for easy comprehension.
Today’s readers expect editors to edit and guide them through a publication. Readers
also expect editors to communicate through the use of visual communication. Today, strong
publication design is a must in the communication process. But before you can become a
great publication designer, you must understand some basics.
Design basics
At first, designing publications can be a bit intimidating. However, it might help to
think of the pages of a publication as a puzzle. There are a few basic elements that make up
the majority of all publications. Four elements common to most publications include
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headlines, text, art, which includes photos and graphics, and cutlines. Once you practice
using these four elements in different configurations, you will get the hang of design.
Headlines
Headlines are like neon signs. They attract our attention, get us to read stories and
summarize what stories are about. They also help us make a decision to bypass a story as we
scan a page. Headline design in contemporary newspapers has changed considerably
throughout history. A century ago, most publications mixed headline typefaces at random.
They also had a combination of all caps and lower case.
Many headlines were centered horizontally with stacked layers of narrow decks atop
one another with rules between each deck. In modern publications, headlines are generally
written with the normal rules of capitalization, run flush left, and usually wide rather than
narrow. They also use decks optionally. Later in the course we will take a closer look at
headlines.
Text
Text is the most important element of publication design. It communicates the bulk of
information on a page. It can be gray and boring, but there are many ways to manipulate text
so it is pleasing to the eye and easy to read. For example, we can make type bold or italic.
We can use indentations to help readers recognize the beginnings of paragraphs.
We can also change the size of text and align it in several different ways. In this
example, we first have columns of gray text with little to give relief to the readers’ eyes.
Then we add paragraph breaks and indentations. In addition we can change the alignment of
the columns of text. Finally, we can add bullets, make certain passages bold or add a large
capital letter.
Serif vs. Sans Serif
There are two basic type families that make up the bulk of our publications – serif
and sans serif. Serif type has tiny strokes at the tips of each letter. We primarily use serif type
families, such as Times New Roman and Bookman, for the large bodies of text in our stories.
The tiny strokes at the tips of each letter help readers connect each letter in a word. Sans serif
typefaces have no serifs or strokes on the tips of each letter.
In French, “sans” means without. In modern publications, most editors use sans serif
typefaces for headlines, cutlines and other items in a publication where a typeface needs to
contrast with the text of stories. We will talk more about text in upcoming lessons.
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Type terminology
It’s also important to know what the parts of type are. This will become especially
important later in the course when you will be required to establish a set amount of space
between elements on a page. The four parts of type important for you to know include the
baseline, the ascender, the descender and the x-height. The baseline is the invisible grid
line the characters sit on. The ascender is the part of a letter that extends above the body of
type. The descender is the part of the letter that extends below the body of type. Finally, the
x-height is the height of a typical lower-case letter, the “x.”
Above: Ragged right (Aligned left)
Above: Justified text
Most publications set text flush left and flush right. This is called justified alignment.
However, some editors use text aligned only to the left for certain types of stories. This is
also called ragged right. While you are at DINFOS your news stories will be justified in
alignment while features will be ragged right, or aligned to the left.
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Leading
It is the vertical space between lines of text. Some people refer to leading as interline
spacing. It’s the space between one baseline down to the next baseline. This spacing can be
tightened or loosened. The amount of leading can help or hinder the readability of text. The
important thing to note here is that once your publication establishes a standard amount of
leading it should not be tinkered with. In most cases you will use normal leading.
Photos
Today, readers expect dynamic photos. These photos entice them into picking up a
publication and investing their time in it. Not only do they attract the attention of readers,
photos help readers comprehend stories. This also applies to other types of artwork, such as
information graphics, charts and maps. Although it may seem obvious to you, artwork comes
in three primary shapes – horizontal, vertical and square.
When looking through a camera lens, most of us hold our cameras horizontally. This
format probably makes up the majority of photos we use in publication design. It is the most
common shape for news photos. On the other hand, readers find vertical photos interesting.
Readers tend to like vertical photos because they are not accustomed to seeing them as
frequently as horizontal photos. As a publication designer, however, vertical photos can give
you a headache because they run deep and may cause readers to question which stories they
go with. Finally, there is the square format. Square photos generally are considered boring,
but sometimes the content of a photo almost begs for a square shape.
Cutlines
The final basic element in publication design is the cutline. As we know, pictures
themselves tell stories. But cutlines help fill in the “who, what, where and when.”
Cutline typeface
The typeface used for cutlines depends largely on the typeface used in the story text.
Cutlines should contrast with any nearby text. To make sure this difference is clear, most
publications use a typeface opposite that of the text. For example, if a publication uses a serif
font for text, such as Times New Roman, its cutlines may be a sans serif typeface, such as
Arial. Some publications use the same typeface in their cutlines as the story text but make the
cutlines bold to show contrast.
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Cutline placement
Cutlines can rest below the photos and some can rest beside the photos. In some
publications you may find cutlines that rest between photos. However, this should be avoided
because it makes readers work too hard. These are called gang cutlines. In general, each
photo should have its own cutline.
Modular design
By definition, a module is a unit or a part of a whole. As applied to page design, it is
a rectangular unit. The four basic elements that make up a module include headlines, text, art
and cutlines.
Packaging using modular design
By using basic, rectangular
shapes, pages look neat and orderly.
Readers like these neat packages because
they help them organize their thoughts.
In the not-so-distant past, editors gave
little thought to packaging, and text
wrapped irregularly around related or
non-related stories and pictures.
This practice was supported by
the principle that readers can be led from
one story to another by interlocking them
like a puzzle. However, the pages looked
somewhat chaotic and often confused
readers.
Although modular design helps
readers organize their thoughts, it’s
important for every page to have focus.
To do this, each page should have a
dominant element.
Pages with focus give readers a
starting point and show that you’re not
afraid to make decisions. The easiest
way to give focus to a page is to use a
dominant photo or graphic element.
However, you can also use type
effectively to create a dominant element.
The flag
One of the first things readers
notice on a newspaper is the nameplate
of the publication, which is also called the flag. It sets the tone for the publication and gives it
a certain personality. The flag can say to the reader, “This is an old-fashioned newspaper,” or
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“This newspaper is up-to-date.” Like almost anything in design, simplicity is the best
approach. When a flag is unnecessarily cluttered, it can give the publication an amateurish
quality.
Standing and section headlines
Just like travelers need signposts to tell them where to go, readers need signposts to
guide them through a publication. Often times we do this by using section headlines and
standing headlines. A section headline tells readers what department of the paper they’re in.
It’s like a huge highway sign telling them, “Now you are entering the land of NEWS,” or
“Now you are entering the town of SPORTS.” Standing headlines, on the other hand, are
smaller signs that tell readers, “Exit here for MOVIES,” or “Pull in here for
HOROSCOPES.”
Pulled quotes
Pulled quotes, also known as liftout quotes remain popular. Readers find them
interesting and these quotes attract their attention to a story. A pulled quote is also a great
tool to have in your bag when you need one to help fill space or create an interesting design.
Although they can be designed in a variety of ways, pulled quotes share some basic
guidelines. First, they should be actual quotations found in the story, and they should be
attributed. They should also be bigger and bolder than the text type. Pulled quotes less than 1
inch deep can look trivial. Pulled quotes can also be combined with photos of the people who
said them.
Bylines
The byline is the name of the reporter and what unit he works for. Every story, except
for briefs, should have a byline. A byline has several functions. First, it gives credit to the
author. It also places responsibility on the author. Its design function is to provide a transition
from headline type to text type. The byline style should be harmonious with the rest of the
publication. There are two general guidelines for bylines. Flush left is best because we read
from left to right. Also, bylines are normally larger than the text type. This provides contrast
and eases the transition from headline to text. You can also provide this contrast in other
ways, such as using bold type or using a sans serif.
Credit lines
Credit lines are similar to bylines, but give credit to a person who takes a photograph
or creates a graphic design. Credit lines can appear at the end of cutlines, but they generally
look better parked at the lower right corner of photos. When they appear below the photos,
they should be smaller than the cutlines.
Rules and boxes
You can use rules, or lines, to organize and separate items on a page or to add
contrast and flair. More specifically, rules are used to build logos and bylines. They can also
create boxes and border photos. Sometimes you can use rules to build charts and graphs and
embellish feature and headline designs. Most commonly, rules are used to separate stories
and elements from one another. Most modern newspapers use rules and boxes sparingly.
Usually these publications reserve the use of rules and boxes for story packages that need
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special treatment. Rules and headlines should not be used to fix poor design decisions, such
as butting heads and misplaced photos. Be careful with decorative rules and borders because
they can be overdone and may give your publication an amateurish look.
Subheads
Subheads are small headlines used to break up long blocks of gray text. They can also
be used as headlines for briefs. When used in long stories, subheads can make an
overwhelming story look like a series of shorter stories. Readers who scan newspapers often
start reading a story at a subhead. If they become interested in the story, they go back to the
beginning. Subheads should be larger than the text type and placed at logical transitions in a
story. Just like regular headlines, subheads should be interesting to help pull readers in.
There should be space above a subhead, but below a subhead there should be less
space between the subhead and the accompanying text.
Initial caps
Initial caps can be used to start off a story with a bit of style. And just like subheads,
initial caps can be used to help break up long, gray blocks of text. When using them for this
purpose, be careful the initial caps don’t unintentionally spell out a word. Initial caps come in
two basic varieties – drop caps and raised caps.
White space
White space is any space on a page not occupied by text or graphics. Regardless of
the color – red, blue or green – this empty space is called white space. To some it may seem a
waste of space, but publication designers know how to use this space for a purpose. Just as
subheads, drop caps and any other items in black help provide relief to gray pages, so does
white space.
White space is especially important on feature and editorial pages. This added white
space gives these pages an informal feel. News pages use less white space than feature and
editorial pages, and this gives news pages a more formal feeling. The lack of white space in a
publication becomes tedious to readers. However, don’t overuse white space. White space
should not draw attention to itself.
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Look at these examples from the Hartford Courant. What purpose does the white space serve
on these pages? Are these pages focused? What other design elements are displayed on these
examples?
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Chapter 2
DESKTOP PUBLISHING PRINCIPLES
Objective:
• Produce an internal product
The principles of desktop publishing are designed to make your job of creating a
publication easy. As this course progresses, you will get to practice this skill by designing
several tabloid newspaper pages, such as a sports page, a news page, a feature page and a
front page. You will also practice by creating a newsletter. Just as news writing is a process,
so is desktop publishing. Therefore, it is important for you to understand each step of the
process.
Design pitfalls
Rivers of white space – Avoid unsightly rivers of white space that
travel through your text. This commonly occurs when the text is
justified.You can usually fix this by editing your text or
controlling the hyphenation within the text.
Don’t break headlines from bylines – Don’t separate the headline of a story from the story’s
byline. This could lead readers to become confused. If you want to place a photo above a
story, the preferred arrangement is photo, cutline, headline and story.
Whispering headlines – Don’t let headlines become an afterthought. The size of a headline is
generally determined by the amount of text that accompanies it.
Claustrophobic boxes – If you box a story or a photo, make sure you give it some breathing
room inside the box. Don’t run the text or photo directly to the inside edge of the box.
Instead, allow a bit of space around the inner margin of the box to give it some breathing
room.
Uneven columns – Columns of text within an individual story should be aligned. Uneven
columns make the design look sloppy.
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Too many typefaces – The key to a good design is simplicity. When you plan the style of your
publication, choose a small typeface family for things such as headlines, text, cutlines, etc. A
page that has too many typefaces begins to look like a circus poster.
Inconsistent spacing – Inconsistent spacing between elements on a page gives it an
amateurish appearance. A grid system will help you keep items in order on a page. Consistent
spacing makes your pages look sharp and professional.
Lack of contrast – Be careful what you place behind the text on a page. The best contrast is
black letters on a white page. Often times, novice publication designers try to make a page
look snazzy by placing graphic elements behind text. In most cases, this looks cheesy and
makes the text difficult to read because of the lack of contrast. It is best avoided.
Too much gray – Every time you write a story, you should think about possible photos or
graphics that could accompany the story. Readers are sophisticated, and they expect artwork
to help interest them in a story and help them comprehend it. A page with little artwork is
boring, and readers will often be tempted to skip that page. On the other hand, you should not
make matters worse by placing just any artwork on a gray page.
Unnecessary or cheesy clipart – If you have not planned
photos or artwork with each story, you may find you
don’t have enough graphic elements to interest readers or
fill a page. Many novice designers fix this problem by
filling a page with clip art. To make matters worse, they
often use outdated clip art, or they enlarge the clip art.
Generally, you should use clip art to create information
graphics or logos.
Bumping headlines – Avoid placing headlines next to each other. This may confuse readers
because they don’t know where one story stops and one begins. You may be able to fix this
problem by placing a box around one of the stories and its headline. However, this should not
be your first choice. It is generally better to redesign the page to avoid bumping headlines.
Boxes should be used sparingly.
Photos jutting into columns – You should rely on a grid system to help you decide where to
place photos. Generally, photos should align vertically with the text they accompany.
Lines of text are too wide or narrow – When determining the width you will run text, you
should take into consideration your readers’ comfort. This means you should not run text so
wide or narrow readers have to struggle reading. This design pitfall is frequently seen in
cutlines and special display text. When you are not certain, you can rely on a formula to help
you determine the optimum line length. This formula is based on the point size of the text
you wish to use. In this formula, you multiply the point size of the text by 1.5 and 2. This will
give you a minimum and maximum, or optimum, line length.
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Measuring in design
There are three units of measurement we use in publication design – points, picas and inches.
Measuring in points – The point is the smallest unit of measure used by publication
designers. There are 72 points to an inch.
Points are used to measure the size of text, the spacing between lines of text, and the
thickness of rules and borders. Because there are 72 points to an inch, you will not use a ruler
to measure points. For example, if you want a one-point line, you will set the size of the line
by using your desktop publishing program. This also goes for text size and the space between
lines of text, which is also called leading (pronounced ledding). Leading is actually the space
between one baseline and the baseline below it.
Measuring in picas – Picas are used to measure the width of objects on a page and internal
spacing of elements. The width of photos is always measured in picas and the column width
of text is measured in picas. Finally, the space between headlines, stories, photos, columns of
text and other items on a page is measured in picas. There are six picas to an inch.
Measuring in inches – Inches are used to measure the depth of objects on a page. Photo depth
is always measured in inches, and the depth of headlines and text is measured in inches. We
don’t measure things to a degree below 1/8 of an inch. In other words, you won’t likely have
to measure 1/16 or 1/32 of an inch.
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Desktop publishing
Some people would argue that desktop publishing is strictly the mechanics of placing
text, photos and graphics on a page using a computer program. But the entire process of DTP
involves not only the mechanical aspect but the creative aspect as well. Let’s take a look at a
three-step approach to planning a document. First, we must have a plan. This plan involves
the use of three tools. They include a master copy log, a thumbnail sketch and a dummy
sheet.
Copy log – When you arrive at your first public affairs office, you may immediately find
yourself directly involved in creating your installation’s publication. In most cases, you will
publish a weekly newspaper. At the beginning of your publication week, you will start with a
clean slate. Throughout the week you will write news articles, feature stories, cutlines and
news briefs. You will also take photographs and create other graphics to accompany your
text. In addition to the articles and artwork your office creates, you will receive submissions
from outside sources. To keep order in your publication, you and your fellow workers must
have a way to track of all these documents. The best way to do this is to maintain a master
copy log. Take a look at the example on the next page.
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You can see there is a place for the reporter’s name, the slug of the story, the story
length and the page each article will go on. There is also a place to log information about any
photos or artwork that will go with the article. In the art/photo box, you should use an “H” or
a “V” to indicate whether the art will be horizontal or vertical in format. This block should
also contain any known measurements of the photo or the hole to be filled on the page.
At a minimum, you will maintain a weekly copy log for the issue your office is
currently working on. As writers are assigned stories, their work can be tracked. However,
you may also want to maintain copy logs for future issues of your publication. Creating a
publication is similar to putting together a puzzle. With a copy log, you can keep track of all
of the pieces. Now that you know what pieces are available, the next step is more creative.
You must take those pieces and decide how to best place them on a page.
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Thumbnail sketch –The
first step to creation is
developing a concept. In
publication design, we
call this a thumbnail
sketch. Thumbnail
sketches are rough
drawings, sometimes only
comprehensible to you,
used to explore layout
options. These quick pen
or pencil sketches allow
you to try out several
ideas and zero in on the
most likely layouts before
beginning a project.
Creating thumbnail
sketches is a crucial part
of the brainstorming
aspect of your design
work.
There are no rules
when it comes to the
symbols you use to create
a thumbnail sketch as
long as they make sense
to you. Don’t fret over
details and don’t worry
about making pretty
pictures. Use thumbnails
to establish approximate locations for major elements. Try for an approximately proportional
page size but don't get out the ruler. You’re aiming for a general idea of how the piece might
look.
You may have to make lots of rough sketches. You’ll rule out many design ideas
quickly this way before wasting time in your page layout program. Don’t try doing these
initial rough designs in your software. It is timely, and you’re apt to get caught up in things
like changing the fonts or doing perfectly aligned graphics. Save that step until you’ve
created a more detailed plan, which we call a dummy sheet.
Dummy sheets – A dummy sheet is a scaled-down version of an actual page. In this course,
the dummy sheet is approximately 45 percent of an actual tabloid-sized page, which is 11 by
17 inches. You can also see that a dummy sheet has a few more details than a blank
thumbnail sketch.
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Grid systems – Any professional publication has a grid system. On a dummy sheet this grid
system is represented by vertical lines that represent the width of columns measure in picas
and horizontal lines and hash marks on the side that represent inches and quarter inches.
Many pages you see every day have a grid. You may not see it but it is there, holding up the
design, establishing structure and guiding the page elements.
A grid is an invisible structure used to guide the placement of elements on your page.
Grids don’t appear on the printed piece but their influence may be evident in the widths of
column texts, the uniformity of space around photographs, or the consistent placement of
repeating elements from page to page in a publication. They are a series of guidelines that
determine the margins of the piece, space between page elements, headlines, body text,
photographs, etc., and let you know where to put things on the blank page.
In this course we will use a tabloid-sized page with a standard five-column grid. Each
column width represents 11.5 picas. The printable area of the page is 61.5 picas wide by
15.75 inches deep. Thus, five columns of 11.5 pica-wide columns with one-pica gutters equal
61.5 picas.
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Pagemaker, Basic How-To Instructions
Change measurements to picas
1. Before you set up your document, you must ensure the settings are set to picas. In order to
do this, you must click on FILE, PREFERENCES, GENERAL.
2. Change the “Measurements in:” and “Vertical ruler” settings to PICAS.
3. Hit OK.
Note: When a document is open, you can change the measurements from picas to inches and
inches to picas by right clicking on the vertical or horizontal ruler.
Create a new page
1. From the FILE menu, select PREFERENCES, GENERAL. Change the rulers to picas.
2. Go to FILE and choose NEW. A page setup screen will appear. Select TABLOID page
size, and change margins to the following: Inside: 2p Outside: 2p6 Top: 4p6 Bottom: 4p6
3. At the bottom of the dialog box where it says COMPOSE TO PRINTER box, select the
printer for your classroom. Each time you create a new document or open a new
template, you must adjust this setting!
4. Hit OK.
5. From the LAYOUT menu, select COLUMN GUIDES. Change the number of columns
to five. Space between columns should be 1 pica. Hit OK.
Create a headline
1. Choose the TEXT TOOL from the Toolbox.
2. Go to the TYPE menu and select CHARACTER. Choose ARIAL font and the point size
you want your headline to be. Click OK.
3. Place the cursor beneath the place you want your headline to be. Type your headline.
4. Use the POINTER TOOL to click on the text. Using the Text Block Handles, stretch the
window shades so the copy fits across the correct number of columns.
Place text
1. Go to the FILE menu and select PLACE.
2. Find the file you need by selecting the proper drive and folder and select the file. This will
return you to the Pagemaker document and the text icon will appear.
3. Move the icon where you want your story to begin and use Window Shades to fit your
story in the space allotted on your dummy sheet. To stretch the text across several columns,
click on the red button at the bottom of the text. This will bring up another text icon. Place it
in the next column. Continue to do this for all your columns.
Line up text
You can use the window shades to even the columns. Be sure your story is in body text, that
all paragraphs are indented properly and that your text lines up from column to column. Pull
down a guideline to the baseline of any line in your first column of text. Adjust the columns
so all baselines line up.
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Create a drop cap
1. Using the TEXT TOOL, highlight the first letter of a paragraph. Make sure you do not
indent this paragraph. You may need to remove the indent.
2. Go to the UTILITIES menu and click on PLUG-INS. Click on DROP CAP.
3. Change the size to three lines and click OK.
Create a pulled quote
1. Put your cursor in the column in which you intend to put your pulled quote. Click on
Pulled Quote from your Styles Palette. Type your quote. Use the Text Block Handles to
stretch your quote across the proper number of columns.
2. Add the credit line. Place the TEXT TOOL cursor in the final column of your quote,
about ½ inch below the quote. From the TYPE menu, choose ARIAL, 11-point, leading auto.
3. Type the credit line.
4. Highlight the entire credit information. From the TYPE menu, select ALIGNMENT,
ALIGN RIGHT.
5. Using the LINE DRAW tool, draw a 1-point line above the top line of the pulled quote
and a 1-point line below the bottom credit line.
6. Use the following measurements to space elements in the pulled quote: Top line of a
pulled quote, ½ pica below element; Pulled Quote, ½ pica below top line; Credit line, ½ pica
below pulled quote; Bottom line, ½ pica below credit line.
Setting up a style palette
1. Go to the TYPE menu and select DEFINE STYLES.
2. A DEFINE STYLES dialog box will come up. In the box will be a list of different styles
available. Refer your defined styles for the specifications of the styles you will use the most.
3. Double click on the style, or select NEW. If you must create a new style, name it. To edit
styles, select CHARACTER or PARAGRAPH and make changes as needed.
Fill out a dummy sheet
1. Fill out copy log with the exception of column widths and story depth.
2. Placing the most important stories in descending order on your page, visualize the modules
and complete a thumbnail sketch of your page.
3. Go back to the copy log and fill in the column widths and determine the depth of the
stories using the copy fit divisors.
4. Begin filling out your dummy sheet.
5. To determine headline size, look at the depth of your story and check the determining
headline size chart. After determining headline size, check the headline depth schedule for
the depth of your headline.
6. Complete dummy sheet.
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Practice Exercise
Half-Page Sports Design & Layout
Publication date: Thursday
You must produce a sports half-page, Page 18. Your instructor will lead you, step by step,
through the layout and design of this page. You must complete a copy log, thumbnail sketch
and dummy sheet, and then you must layout the page using desktop publishing software. If
you have any questions, ask your instructor.
Story/photo
• SPORTS.txt – Bill Lincicome wrote a story about a flag football intramural game.
The story, which is 65.5 lines, should be copyfit at 11.5 Justified.
 SPORTS.jpg – Accompanying photo of
DINFOS Sharks quarterback Robert
Attebury, a photojournalism instructor
from the public affairs department. Your
editor would like the photo set across two
columns.
 SPORTSCUT.txt – Accompanying
cutline for the photo. Use your rank and name for the credit line.
Headline
• 5-36AB-1
Deadline
Your final sports page layout is due at 4 p.m. Save
your completed file to your U: drive often throughout the day. You may work from the
desktop, but remember to save to your U: drive and delete the file from the desktop at the end
of the day. Proofread your page thoroughly. Ensure the page is spaced properly and you
have the right typefaces for all your text.
Turn in your:

Final page layout (It should be “camera-ready,” which means it’s free of any
edit marks and/or errors)



22
Copy log
Thumbnail sketch
Dummy sheet
Step-by-step instructions for the Half-Page Sports
Design & Layout
Open the template:
1. Go to FILE and choose OPEN. Go to the Student on Bart drive and click on
DESIGN FILES FOR BPAS-W. Click on your appropriate section and student
folder, and then click on the Sports folder. Open the Sports Template.
2. Go to FILE and choose SAVE AS. Save this file to your desktop. You may work
from the desktop, but you must save this document to your U: drive when it’s
complete, and then you must delete the file from your desktop.
Create the headline:
1. Use a horizontal blue guide to measure 1 pica of space below your folio line.
2. Place your cursor on the blue guide, and drag it across the five 11.5-pica columns.
3. From the STYLE PALETTE select HEADLINE BOLD.
4. Type in your headline. It should be set at 5-36AB-1.
Sizing your photo:
1. Open Adobe Photoshop and go to FILE and choose OPEN. Go to the Student on
Bart drive and click on DESIGN FILES FOR BPAS-W. Click on your appropriate section
and student folder, and then click on the Sports folder. Open SPORTS. jpg.
2. Go to IMAGE and choose IMAGE SIZE. In the DOCUMENT SIZE pane, change
the width and height measurement to PICAS. (Ensure the CONSTRAIN PROPORTIONS
and RESAMPLE IMAGE options are checked and be sure RESAMPLE IMAGE is set to
BICUBIC.) Enter 24 for the width in the DOCUMENT SIZE pane and then click OK.
3. Go to FILE and choose SAVE AS. Save this file to your desktop. You may work
from the desktop, but you must save this file to your U: drive when it’s complete, and then
you must delete the file from your desktop. You can now close Adobe Photoshop.
Placing your photo:
1. Go to FILE and choose PLACE. Go to the desktop where you saved SPORTS.jpg,
select it and click OPEN. A new window will open – select NO.
2. Move the cursor to the left margin of the second column and click the left mouse
button once to place the photo.
3. Now select the image and click on UTILITIES, PLUG-INS and choose KEYLINE.
Click on ATTRIBUTES. For STROKE it should be set to HAIRLINE, the COLOR
should be BLACK with 100% TINT. Click OK. Ensure the option BRING KEYLINE IN
FRONT OF OBJECT is selected and click OK.
4. Place the photo ½ pica below the lowest descenders in the headline.
23
Place your cutline:
1. From the FILE menu, select PLACE. Go to the Student on Bart drive and click on
DESIGN FILES FOR BPAS-W. Click on your appropriate section and student folder, and
then click on the Sports folder.
2. Locate the SPORTSCUT.txt file in the FILE NAME and select OPEN. Another box
will open up; click on OK.
3. Your story should be placed 1 pica below the photo, matching its width. Once your
cutline is placed, go to the EDIT menu and SELECT ALL. The text will be highlighted,
even the part you can’t see.
4. Go to the STYLE PALETTE, and select CUTLINE. Your text should be:
ARIAL, BOLD, 10-point size, FLUSH LEFT.
Place your photo credit:
1. Type “Photo by [your rank and name].” Go to the STYLE PALETTE, and select
PHOTO CREDIT. Your text should be: ARIAL, NORMAL, 6-point size, FLUSH
RIGHT.
2. Align the photo credit with the right margin of the photo, just underneath, but not
touching, the photo.
Place your story:
1. From the FILE menu, select PLACE. Go to the Student on Bart drive and click on
DESIGN FILES FOR BPAS-W. Click on your appropriate section and student folder, and
then click on the Sports folder.
2. Locate the SPORTS.txt file in the FILE NAME and select OPEN. Another box will
open up; click on OK.
3. Your story should be placed in the first column, ½ pica below the lowest descenders in
the headline. Once your story’s placed, go to the EDIT menu and SELECT ALL. The text
will be highlighted, even the part you can’t see.
4. Go to the STYLE PALETTE, and select BODY TEXT. Your text should be:
BOOKMAN, 10-point size, JUSTIFIED.
5. Adjust the story by pushing the first column up until it lines up with the blue guide
marking your work area. Place the story across the next two columns using the red icon at the
bottom of your text box. Make sure they all begin at the same place on top. Don’t forget to
delete your slug and extra tabs.
6. Highlight the byline. Select BYLINE from the STYLE PALETTE. Your byline
should be: BOOKMAN, BOLD ITALIC. Leave one line of space after your byline. The
byline and story should be in the same text box.
7. The space under your cutline is called “float space.” You can have anywhere from ½
pica to 1 ½ picas of space to work with so that the bottom of all columns of text are aligned
with each other.
24
This page is an example only. Your page may vary slightly.
25
This criteria sheet is a guide for you as you develop your assignment. Check beside each
criterion after you have fulfilled each necessary element required for excellence.
P U B L I C A F F A I RS D E P A R TM E N T
D E F E N S E I N F O RM A T I O N S C H O O L
DESI G N & LAYO UT E XER CI SE( S) CRI TE RI A SH EET
CHECK
_ _ _ _ _ 1 . P a g e f l a t i s c o mp l e t e a n d c a me r a r e a d y .
_ _ _ _ _ 2 . D e s i g n h as a b a l a n c e o f d i s p l ay ty p e , b od y ty p e , ar t w o r k a nd
w h i t e s p a ce a n d o f f er s s mo o t h e y e f l ow .
_ _ _ _ _ 3 . D e s i g n i nc l u d e s f o cu s .
_ _ _ _ _ 4 . C o py i s a li g n e d a n d p r o p e r ly co py - f i t t e d .
_ _ _ _ _ 5 . T h e c o p y i s f r e e o f ty p i n g e r r or s , c o n f orms t o t h e A P
S t y l e b oo k a n d i s a c cu r a t e , b r i e f a n d c l e a r .
_ _ _ _ _ 6 . A r t w o rk i s p r o p e r ly c r o p p e d a n d s i ze d .
_ _ _ _ _ 7 . L a r g e a r e a s o f g r ay a r e e l i mi n a t e d o r b ro k e n u p by a r t or
headlines.
_ _ _ _ _ 8 . C o n s t a n t s ( f l a g s , f ol i o s , e t c . ) a r e i n p l a c e .
_ _ _ _ _ 9 . H e a d l i n e s a r e a p p r op r i a t e . N o t o mb s t o n e s ( b u mp i n g ) .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 0 . B o x l i n e s a r e n o t t o o t h i n , t o o t h i c k o r mi s s i n g .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 1 . D u mm y s h e e t h a s pr o p e r s y mb o l s a n d di me n s i o n s .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 2 . C o p y l og i s c o mp l e t e a n d r e f l e c t s t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h e
flat.
26
Exercise 1
Inside News Page Design & Layout
Publication date: Thursday
You must produce an inside news page, Page 3. Your editor has given you the requirements
for this page, which includes a chimney of news briefs. You must complete a copy log,
thumbnail sketch and dummy sheet, and then you must layout the page using desktop
publishing software. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.
Story
•
•
Your news feature (Feats 1) – You will use your Feats 1, corrected. You may jump
this story to Page 5. You must include a jumpline at the end of your story, but you are
only required to layout Page 3. Copy fit is 11.5RR.
Include a pulled quote of your choice. Run it two columns wide and between 1 ½ to
2 inches deep.
Briefs
•
•
•
•
•
•
Supply – The Army’s best supply units received special awards. The story has 9.5
lines. Copyfit all briefs at 22J.
CFC – A staff writer turned in an advance story about the Combined Federal
Campaign kicking off. It is 15.5 lines long.
Fallfest – The Fallfest committee sent over a schedule of events for this year’s
Fallfest. The story has 10 lines.
Fair – A notice for a military exhibit. The story has five lines.
Cleanup – The post sergeant major called and wants the specifics run about the post
cleanup. It has 12.5 lines.
ADCO – ADCO brought over a story for a UADC workshop. The story has 10.5
lines.
Photo
•
Army birthday stand alone – See Page 30 of this instruction booklet for details.
Headlines
• For the news feature: 3-36AB-2
• For the News Brief column standing headline: 2-18AB-1 with a 1-pt line below it
• For the News Brief headlines: 2-14AB-1
• For the stand alone photo (catchline): 2-16AB-1
27
Pulled quote example
Deadline
Your final inside news page layout is due at 4 p.m. Save your completed file to your U:
drive often throughout the day. You may work from the desktop, but remember to save to
your U: drive and delete the file from the desktop at the end of the day.
Proofread your page thoroughly. Ensure the page is spaced properly and you have the right
typefaces for all your text.
Turn in your:

Final page layout (It should be “camera-ready,” which means it’s free of any
edit marks and/or errors)



28
Copy log
Thumbnail sketch
Dummy sheet
Stand-alone photo
Reproduction size: 34.5p x 6 ¾”
Photo credit: Your rank and full name
Catchline: Celebrating the Army birthday
Cutline: Spc. Amy L. Lacamp, a broadcast student from the Defense Information School
here, dances with entertainer Chris Isaak during his performance at the Army’s 230th
Birthday Ball in Washington, D.C., Saturday.
29
Step-by-step instructions for the Inside News Page
Open the template:
3. Go to FILE and choose OPEN. Go to the Student on Bart drive and click on
DESIGN FILES FOR BPAS-W. Click on your appropriate section and student
folder, and then click on the Inside News folder. Open the Inside News Template.
4. Go to FILE and choose SAVE AS. Save this file to your desktop. You may work
from the desktop, but you must save this document to your U: drive when it’s
complete, and then you must delete the file from your desktop.
Create the chimney:
1. Use a horizontal blue guide to measure 1 pica of space below your folio line.
2. At this point, select the BOX TOOL and draw a 1-point box across the first and
second columns, down the length of the page (approx. 15 ¼ inches)
Note: There must be 1 pica of breathing space inside your chimney. Use the BLUE
GUIDES from the horizontal and vertical rulers to specify the breathing space. Zero your
rulers as many times as needed to accomplish this.
Create News Briefs standing headline:
1. Select the TEXT TOOL and place the cursor on the left vertical ruler guide 1 pica
below the News Briefs box you just created.
2. Draw a text block across both columns, inside the blue guide lines.
3. Select SUBHEAD 1 from the STYLE PALETTE. Type: News Briefs. Your
headline should be ARIAL, 18-point size, BOLD.
4. Go to the TYPE menu and choose ALIGNMENT, CENTER.
5. Move the News Briefs standing headline to the top blue guide line. The highest
ascenders in the standing headline should touch the blue guide line, without crossing over it.
REMEMBER TO ALIGN TO THE CHARACTER, NOT THE BOX.
6. Grab the LINE DRAW tool. From the ELEMENT menu, select STROKE, 1-point
line.
7. Draw the line across both columns ½ pica below the text, allowing 1 pica of breathing
space inside each side of the box (from the left blue guide to the right blue guide).
Create the headline for the first story:
1. Grab the TEXT TOOL and place the cursor on the left vertical ruler guide below the
News Briefs box. Draw a TEXT BLOCK across both columns, inside the blue guide lines.
2. Go to the STYLE PALETTE and select SUBHEAD 2. Type in your first story
headline. (Refer to the example on your exercise assignment sheet for headline ideas.) Your
headline should be ARIAL, 14-point size, BOLD. Align the headline accordingly, ensuring
there’s 1 pica between the headline and the 1-point line above it.
30
Place the first News Brief:
1. Go the FILE menu, and select PLACE.
2. Go to the Inside News Page Design & Layout folder.
3. In the FILE NAME section, highlight your story’s slug by clicking on it. Press OK.
This will take you back to your PageMaker page and the TEXT ICON will appear.
4. Place the icon under the headline by the left blue guide line that represents your left
boundary, press the left mouse button and hold, dragging it across both columns to the right
blue guide line that represents the right boundary of the briefs.
5. Once your story’s placed, go to the EDIT menu and SELECT ALL. The text will be
highlighted, even the parts you can’t see.
6. Go to the STYLE PALETTE, and select BODY TEXT. Your text should be:
BOOKMAN, 10-point size, JUSTIFIED.
7. Using the TEXT TOOL, delete the slug and all line spaces above the first line of
copy.
8. Move the news brief ½ pica below its headline.
9. Continue steps 1-8 to place the other briefs.
REMEMBER TO MEASURE YOUR SPACE BELOW THE LOWEST DESCENDER
OF YOUR TEXT. REFER TO THE SPACING GUIDELINES IN YOUR DESKTOP
PUBLISHING WORKBOOK IF YOU GET CONFUSED.
Create photo box:
1. Return to the top of your page and find the blue guide you placed 1 pica below your
folio line. Zero your rulers once again at the corner of your third column, on the right side of
your News Briefs box.
2. Right click on your left ruler and change it to INCHES, then select the BOX TOOL.
3. From the ELEMENT/STROKE menu, select 1 PT. Draw a box from the third
column to the right margin, 8 inches deep. The box should be 1 pica below the folio line,
lined up with the top of the News Briefs box. Use your blue guides to give measure 1 pica of
space around the inside of the box.
4. From the FILE menu, select PLACE. In the Inside News folder, find your photo and
click on it. Press OPEN. This will take you back to your PageMaker page and the PHOTO
ICON will appear. Place the photo within the 1-pt box and click on the left mouse button.
5. At this point you must crop your photo slightly and adjust the alignment to fit within
the 1-pica frame you created.
6. With your photo highlighted, click on the UTILITIES menu, go to PLUG-INS, then
click on KEYLINE. Type in .25 for the line thickness and click OK.
Note: Once you keyline your photo, you will no longer be able to crop it.
31
Create the photo credit line:
1. Zoom in so you’re viewing your page at 100 percent.
2. Grab the TEXT TOOL.
3. From the STYLE PALETTE, select PHOTO CREDIT LINE.
4. Place the cursor in the third column just below the photo box. Type in Photo by your
rank, first and last name. It should be ARIAL, 6 PT, NORMAL.
5. The photo credit line should be just below the photo box, but not touching it. If yours
is not close enough, adjust it.
Create the catchline and cutline:
1. Using the pointer, place a blue guide 1 pica below your photo box.
2. Using the TEXT TOOL, stretch a text box across approximately two columns, then
type the following:
Celebrating the Army birthday
It should be ARIAL, 16 PT, BOLD.
3. Using the POINTER, measure a ½ pica below the catchline and draw another TEXT
BLOCK across the width of your photo box.
4. Select CUTLINES from the STYLE PALETTE (10 PT Arial Bold), and type the
following:
Spc. Amy L. Lacamp, a broadcast student from the Defense Information School
here, dances with entertainer Chris Isaak during his performance at the Army’s
230th Birthday Ball in Washington, D.C., Saturday.
3. You may have to adjust your box slightly to ensure you have 1 pica of breathing room
between your cutline and the bottom of your box.
Create the headline:
1. Place your cursor 1 pica below the stand alone photo, and drag it across the three 11.5pica columns.
2. From the STYLE PALETTE select HEADLINE BOLD.
2. Type in your headline. It should be set at 3-36AB-2.
32
Place your story:
1. Ensure the corrections are made, remove the slug, mores, -30-, etc., and save your
Features 1 assignment as a plain text file. (.txt)
2. From the FILE menu, select PLACE.
3. Locate your Feats 1 file in the FILE NAME and select OPEN.
4. Your story should fall in the first column. Once your story’s placed, go to the EDIT
menu and SELECT ALL. The text will be highlighted, even the part you can’t see.
6. Go to the STYLE PALETTE, and select BODY TEXT. Your text should be:
BOOKMAN, 10-point size, FLUSH LEFT.
7. Adjust the story by pushing the first column up about a third of the way. Place the
story across the next two columns using the red icon at the bottom of your text box. Make
sure they all begin at the same place on top. Don’t forget to delete your slug and extra tabs.
8. Highlight the byline. Select BYLINE from the STYLE PALETTE. Your byline
should be: BOOKMAN, BOLD ITALIC. Leave one line of space after your byline. The
byline and story should be in the same text box.
9. Place the story ½ pica below the lowest descenders in the headline.
Create pulled quote:
1. Using your POINTER, move your third column down to make space for your pulled
quote.
2. Use the LINE DRAW TOOL to draw a 1-point line across the width of the fourth and
fifth columns, ½ pica below the headline. Then draw a 1-point line approximately 1 1/2
inches below the first line.
3. Grab the TEXT TOOL, and select the PULLED QUOTE style from the STYLE
PALETTE (make sure it is 16 pt. ABI). Type in a quote from your feature that you feel is
worthy to highlight.
4. Move the pulled quote ½ pica below the top line.
5. Using the TEXT TOOL, place the cursor on the left vertical ruler guide, about ½ pica
below the quote. Draw a text block across the length of the column.
6. Select CUTLINE from the STYLE PALETTE, and type in the source’s full name
followed by a comma, press ENTER, and then type in the source’s job title.
7. Use the TEXT TOOL to highlight these two lines.
8. From the TYPE menu, select TYPE STYLE and select NORMAL type face. Then
change the type size to 11 pts.
9. From the TYPE menu, select ALIGNMENT, ALIGN RIGHT.
Move the quote credit line ½ pica above the bottom line of the pulled quote area. Ensure
there is between ½ and 1.5 picas between your pulled quote and the rest of the text in your
story, then align the story so all columns end on the same line.
Create a jumpline:
1. At the bottom of the last column of text, type in a jumpline to indicate the story will
continue on Page 5. Go to the STYLE PALETTE and click on JUMPLINE. It should be
Arial 10 pt Bold Italic, Flush Right.
33
This page is an example only. Your page may vary slightly.
34
This criteria sheet is a guide for you as you develop your assignment. Check beside each
criterion after you have fulfilled each necessary element required for excellence.
P U B L I C A F F A I RS D E P A R TM E N T
D E F E N S E I N F O RM A T I O N S C H O O L
DESI G N & LAYO UT E XER CI SE( S) CRI TE RI A SH EET
CHECK
_ _ _ _ _ 1 . P a g e i s c omp l e t e a n d c a m e r a r e a d y .
_ _ _ _ _ 2 . D e s i g n h as a b a l a n c e o f d i s p l ay ty p e , b od y ty p e , ar t w o r k a nd
w h i t e s p a ce a n d o f f er s s mo o t h e y e f l ow .
_ _ _ _ _ 3 . D e s i g n i nc l u d e s f o cu s .
_ _ _ _ _ 4 . C o py i s a li g n e d a n d p r o p e r ly co py - f i t t e d .
_ _ _ _ _ 5 . T h e c o p y i s f r e e o f ty p i n g e r r or s , c o n f orms t o t h e A P
S t y l e b oo k a n d i s a c cu r a t e , b r i e f a n d c l e a r .
_ _ _ _ _ 6 . A r t w o rk i s p r o p e r ly c r o p p e d a n d s i ze d .
_ _ _ _ _ 7 . L a r g e a r e a s o f g r ay a r e e l i mi n a t e d o r b ro k e n u p by a r t or
headlines.
_ _ _ _ _ 8 . C o n s t a n t s ( f l a g s , f ol i o s , e t c . ) a r e i n p l a c e .
_ _ _ _ _ 9 . H e a d l i n e s a r e a p p r op r i a t e . N o t o mb s t o n e s ( b u mp i n g ) .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 0 . B o x l i n e s a r e n o t t o o t h i n , t o o t h i c k o r mi s s i n g .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 1 . D u mm y s h e e t h a s pr o p e r s y mb o l s a n d di me n s i o n s .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 2 . C o p y l og i s c o mp l e t e a n d r e f l e c t s t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h e
flat.
35
Exercise 2
Front Page Design & Layout
Publication date: Thursday
You must produce a front page. Your editor has given you the requirements for Page 1,
which includes your corrected News 6 story. You must complete a copy log, thumbnail
sketch and dummy sheet, and then you must layout the page using desktop publishing
software. You must get your dummy sheet approved before you begin the pagination.
You must use:
•
Your Localize and Rewrite story (News 6) – You will use your News 6, corrected.
Copy fit the news story at 11.5J.
You may use any of the following:
•
A news story about an Air Force medic from Fort Meade with at least one photo.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik wrote the story, which is 37 lines long. Copy
fit the news story at 11.5J.
 MEDIC.jpg – Accompanying photo of Air Force medic Senior Airman
Jessica Henry from Fort Meade’s 70th Medical Group.
-OR-
 MEDEVAC.jpg – Accompanying photo of Air Force medic Senior Airman
Jessica Henry from Fort Meade’s 70th Medical Group.
-OR
•
HELO.jpg – Accompanying photo of Air Force medic Senior Airman Jessica
Henry from Fort Meade’s 70th Medical Group.
A stand-alone photo.

HUMANITARIAN.jpg – The photo should run across at least three columns.

MARINE.jpg – The photo should run across at least two columns.
-OR-
•
A news feature about reservists returning from Iraq. Rona Hirsch wrote the story,
which is 82 lines long. Copy fit at 11.5RR.
Stories
•
•
36
Remove slug, -more- and -30-.
You may jump any of the stories, but you must place at least three column inches of
copy for each jumped story on Page 1.
Headlines
• Should vary in posture and weight
• Sizes should range from 24 to 60 pts
• Consider using a drop headline (Should be opposite weight and ½ size of main
headline)
Other important information
Save your completed file to your U: drive often throughout the day. You may work from the
desktop, but remember to save to U: drive and delete the file from the desktop at the end of
the day.
Proofread your page thoroughly. Ensure the page is spaced properly and you have the right
typefaces for all your text.
Final deadline: 1600
In your assignment folder, you must include:



Final Front Page layout (It should be “camera-ready,” which means it’s
free of any edit marks and/or errors)
Copy log
Dummy sheet
Flag requirements
Flag
Font: Times New Roman
Point size: 100
Leading: Auto
Alignment: Centered
Type Style: Normal
Flag folio line
Font: Arial
Point size: 12
Leading Auto
Alignment: Volume and issue numbers align left, address centered, date aligned right
Type style: Bold
The flag measures 5 columns by 1.5 inches. For Instructional Purposes Only floats above the
pink line at the top of the page. The flag goes 1 pica below the pink line. The folio line is ½
pica below the flag, and the line (4 pt) is ½ pica below the folio. Below is an example. Make
sure you include all the folio information. The volume and issue numbers are your class and
badge numbers.
37
38
Medic.jpg
Reproduction size: Must run across at least one column.
Photo credit: Your rank and full name
Cutline: Air Force Senior Airman Jessica Henry, a 70th Medical Group medic from Fort
Meade, monitors the speed of intravenous fluids administered to a military policeman from
the 423rd Military Police Company during a medical evacuation exercise at the Las Flores
work site in the San Vicente region of El Salvador March 29.
39
Medevac.jpg
Reproduction size: Must run across at least two columns.
Photo credit: Your rank and full name
Cutline: Army Sgt. Nichole Mueller, a flight medic with the 24th Medical Company Air
Ambulance, Detachment 1, deployed from Lincoln, Neb., shouts orders to keep the litter
crew in proper alignment with a UH-60 Blackhawk during a medical evacuation exercise at
the Las Flores work site in the San Vicente region of El Salvador this.
40
Helo.jpg
Reproduction size: Must run across at least two columns.
Photo credit: Your rank and full name
Cutline: A military policeman deployed to Joint Task Force Para Los Niños, directs
members of a litter crew to safety after delivering a patient to a waiting aeromedical
evacuation helicopter crew. The patient will be transported to a local hospital for treatment as
part of a medical evacuation exercise at the Las Flores work site in the San Vicente region of
El Salvador this month.
41
Stand-alone photo option #1
Reproduction size: Must run across at least two columns.
Photo credit: Your rank and full name
Cutline: An Iraqi child tries on Spc. Taryn Emery’s sunglasses during a humanitarian
assistance mission this month in Qaryat Al Majarrah, Iraq, to provide security and medical
care to local families. Emery is an administrative clerk with the 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry
Regiment here.
42
Stand-alone photo option #2
Reproduction size: Must run across at least two columns.
Photo credit: Your rank and full name
Cutline: Wounded Iraqi veteran, Marine Corps Cpl. Justin Kenney, and Marine Gen. Peter
Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walk to the National Museum of the Marine
Corps after its dedication ceremony in Quantico, Va. Kenney, an intelligence analyst
assigned to the National Security Agency here, was one of 400 Marines honored at the
ceremony Saturday.
43
This criteria sheet is a guide for you as you develop your assignment. Check beside each
criterion after you have fulfilled each necessary element required for excellence.
P U B L I C A F F A I RS D E P A R TM E N T
D E F E N S E I N F O RM A T I O N S C H O O L
DESI G N & LAYO UT E XER CI SE( S) CRI TE RI A SH EET
CHECK
_ _ _ _ _ 1 . P a g e f l a t i s c o mp l e t e a n d c a me r a r e a d y .
_ _ _ _ _ 2 . D e s i g n h as a b a l a n c e o f d i s p l ay ty p e , b od y ty p e , ar t w o r k a nd
w h i t e s p a ce a n d o f f er s s mo o t h e y e f l ow .
_ _ _ _ _ 3 . D e s i g n i nc l u d e s f o cu s .
_ _ _ _ _ 4 . C o py i s a li g n e d a n d p r o p e r ly co py - f i t t e d .
_ _ _ _ _ 5 . T h e c o p y i s f r e e o f ty p i n g e r r or s , c o n f orms t o t h e A P
S t y l e b oo k a n d i s a c cu r a t e , b r i e f a n d c l e a r . A l l n e w s c o py w i l l
b e g r a d ed i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e P A D g r a d i n g gu i d e
_ _ _ _ _ 6 . A r t w o rk i s p r o p e r ly c r o p p e d a n d s i ze d .
_ _ _ _ _ 7 . L a r g e a r e a s o f g r ay a r e e l i mi n a t e d o r b ro k e n u p by a r t or
headlines.
_ _ _ _ _ 8 . C o n s t a n t s ( f l a g s , f ol i o s , e t c . ) a r e i n p l a c e .
_ _ _ _ _ 9 . H e a d l i n e s a r e a p p r op r i a t e . N o t o mb s t o n e s ( b u mp i n g ) .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 0 . B o x l i n e s a r e n o t t o o t h i n , t o o t h i c k o r mi s s i n g .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 1 . D u mm y s h e e t h a s pr o p e r s y mb o l s a n d di me n s i o n s .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 2 . C o p y l og i s c o mp l e t e a n d r e f l e c t s t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h e
flat.
44
Exercise 3
Inside Feature Page Design & Layout
Publication date: Thursday
You must produce an inside feature page. Your editor has given you the requirements for
Page 10, which includes a personality feature, photo and caption. You must complete a
thumbnail sketch, and then you must layout the page using desktop publishing software. You
must get your thumbnail sketch approved before you begin the pagination.
You must use:
• A personality feature of your choice – You may NOT jump this story, but you may
cut it to fit. You may set the story at 11.5RR or any non-standard width. (two-, threeor four-column layout)
• Corresponding personality feature photo. Scale the photo electronically to fit the
layout. Do not stretch the photo.
Headline
• Use a display headline (See Harrower’s handout)
• Consider using a drop headline (Should be opposite weight and ½ size of main
headline)
Graphic elements
• You may use a pulled quote
• You may use a drop cap at the beginning of your feature
• You may use an information graphic
Other important information
Save your completed file to your U: drive often throughout the day. You may work from the
desktop, but remember to save to U: drive and delete the file from the desktop at the end of
the day.
Proofread your page thoroughly. Ensure the page is spaced properly and you have the right
typefaces for all your text.
Final deadline: 1600
In your assignment folder, you must include:

Final Inside Feature page layout (It should be “camera-ready,” which means
it’s free of any edit marks and/or errors)
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Photo options of Terrina M. Weatherspoon, a journalism instructor at the Defense
Information School here. These are photos of her writing music in her cubicle in Room 2150
and singing in the school’s studio.
001
002
004
003
005
Photo options of Air Force Master Sgt. Dawn M. Harris, a public affairs instructor at the
Defense Information School here. These are photos of her teaching a community relations
class and displaying her classroom props while in her cubicle in Room 2150.
001
004
46
002
005
003
This criteria sheet is a guide for you as you develop your assignment. Check beside each
criterion after you have fulfilled each necessary element required for excellence.
P U B L I C A F F A I RS D E P A R TM E N T
D E F E N S E I N F O RM A T I O N S C H O O L
DESI G N & LAYO UT E XER CI SE( S) CRI TE RI A SH EET
CHECK
_ _ _ _ _ 1 . P a g e f l a t i s c o mp l e t e a n d c a me r a r e a d y .
_ _ _ _ _ 2 . D e s i g n h as a b a l a n c e o f d i s p l ay ty p e , b od y ty p e , ar t w o r k a nd
w h i t e s p a ce a n d o f f er s s mo o t h e y e f l ow .
_ _ _ _ _ 3 . D e s i g n i nc l u d e s f o cu s .
_ _ _ _ _ 4 . C o py i s a li g n e d a n d p r o p e r ly co py - f i t t e d .
_ _ _ _ _ 5 . T h e c o p y i s f r e e o f ty p i n g e r r or s , c o n f orms t o t h e A P
S t y l e b oo k a n d i s a c cu r a t e , b r i e f a n d c l e a r . A l l f e a t u r e c o py w i l l
b e g r a d ed i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e P A D g r a d i n g gu i d e
_ _ _ _ _ 6 . A r t w o rk i s p r o p e r ly c r o p p e d a n d s i ze d .
_ _ _ _ _ 7 . L a r g e a r e a s o f g r ay a r e e l i mi n a t e d o r b ro k e n u p by a r t or
headlines.
_ _ _ _ _ 8 . C o n s t a n t s ( f l a g s , f ol i o s , e t c . ) a r e i n p l a c e .
_ _ _ _ _ 9 . H e a d l i n e s a r e a p p r op r i a t e . N o t o mb s t o n e s ( b u mp i n g ) .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 0 . B o x l i n e s a r e n o t t o o t h i n , t o o t h i c k o r mi s s i n g .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 1 . D u mm y s h e e t h a s pr o p e r s y mb o l s a n d di me n s i o n s .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 2 . C o p y l og i s c o mp l e t e a n d r e f l e c t s t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h e
flat.
47
Exercise 4
Photo Page Design & Layout
Publication date: Thursday
You must produce a photo page for the double truck of a newsletter-sized publication. Your
assignment will occupy Pages 2 and 3 of the publication. You must complete a planning
worksheet, and then you must shoot and select your photos. Finally, you will create a
thumbnail sketch and layout the page using desktop publishing software. If you have any
questions, ask your instructor.
Day 1
7:55 to 10:30 a.m. – Photo Page Layout & Design presentation
10:30 to 11:25 a.m. – Complete planning worksheets & seek instructor approval
12:30 to 4 p.m. – Plan photo page/shoot photos
Day 2
7:55 to 9:30 a.m. – Shoot photos
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Design and layout page
2 p.m. – First draft of page due for coaching
Deadline
Your final photo page layout is due at 4 p.m. on Day 2. Save your completed file to your
U: drive often throughout the day. You may work from the desktop, but remember to save to
your U: drive and delete the file from the desktop at the end of the day.
Proofread your page thoroughly. Ensure the page is spaced properly and you have the right
typefaces for all your text.
Turn in your:

Final page layout (it should be “camera-ready,” which means it’s free of any
edit marks and/or errors)



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Thumbnail sketch
Approved photo page planning worksheet
Completed photo page checklist
Photo page planning sheet
Instructor
approval
A photo page is a type of feature. Just like a feature, a photo page must have a theme or
focus. A photo page is not a random collection of photos.
What is your story about?
Initial one of the following two statements and answer the associated question.
1. I will produce a photo story because …
my photos will address a single event that has a chronological order.______
Write a single summary sentence about your story that includes at least the four W’s.
2. I will produce a photo essay because …
I will take a collection of photos based on a theme.______
Write a single sentence best describing the theme or focus of your story.
Who is the primary point of contact for this story? (Full ID and telephone number)
What other students will cover this story with you? (No more than four students can work on
a specific story. Each student must be from a different section.)
Remember to …
•
•
•
•
Begin the theme by developing a visual story line. Think about the actions taking place and how they
can be put together on the page to emphasize the theme.
Establish a shooting time. Talk to your subject to find out which time of day is usually the most busy.
Don’t set up an appointment that will be split by lunch. Give yourself at least an hour.
Watch your subjects perform their jobs. Are they constantly looking down? Do they move rapidly?
(Think about how you will compensate.) Do they perform enough differing actions? (Remember that
every photo on the page needs to be of a different action)
Check the lighting conditions in the subject’s area. Pay specific attention to windows, garage doors,
reflective surfaces and work uniforms. If your subject wears a white apron/smock or works in front of
large windows, you will have to plan how to compensate.
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Photo page checklist
To produce a strong photo page, research and planning are important. You may not always
have a great deal of time for this step, but you can always use a checklist to help make sure
you get the photos you need. For this assignment, use this checklist to ensure you take
several types of photos. Remember, your photos should primarily focus on people.
____Long shot
The long shot shows the subject and his environment. It shows the scope of the event
and where it took place.
____Medium shot
The medium shot is used to identify the subject and action that is taking place. It
usually shows the subject from the waist up.
____Close-up
The close-up gets your readers into a more intimate relationship with the subject. It
shows great detail in the face.
____Extreme close-up
This photo does not require identification. It focuses on the hands or another
interesting detail.
____High angle
The high angle photo gives interest to the photo page.
____Low angle
The low angle also provides interest to the photo page.
____Horizontal
If the action is wider than it is taller, then a horizontal photo is necessary. Strive for
variety. If all of your photos are horizontal, you will have a difficult time creating a
photo page.
____Vertical
If the action is taller than it is wider, then a vertical photo is a must. Strong vertical
photos lend interest to a picture page and give you greater flexibility in laying out the
page. Again, make sure you have a mix of horizontal and vertical photos.
____Mobility
Always be willing to move your position to find the right place to take your photos.
You can not stay in one spot to get creative photos. When you first arrive at the
location of your photo shoot, scope out some of the best places to stand. Ask your
subject what is permissible and what isn’t.
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Photo page instructions
Creating a photo page is a systematic process. The next two days will be busy for you.
However, they can be fun days that allow you to display your creativity. Here are some
guidelines for creating your picture page:
Text
•You must write a caption for each photo included on the final page. Do not use gang
captions.
•You can use dummy text for the pagination of the story. You can find the dummy text in the
“Photo Page Design & Layout” folder in the “Design Files for BPAS-W (2008)” folder on
the “Student on Bart” drive.
•Use Bookman OS, 10-point, bold, italic text for your byline. This is an example of how your
byline should appear:
Story and photos by
Sgt. Steven A. Duke
•You are not required to put a photo credit under each photo because you have already stated
in your byline that you also took the photos.
•Your headline should play off the theme of the page. Avoid using a banner headline that is
too small. You may use a label headline for your main headline and a drop headline to
support the label headline.
Photos
•You must have three to four photos on your photo page.
•You must have a dominant photo that sets the theme of the page. The dominant photo
should be either a person or situation containing strong action and full identification.
•You must have at least three of the following photo formats on your page: Long shot,
medium shot, close-up and extreme close-up.
•You must also have a variety of horizontal and vertical photos.
Design
•Follow the design guidelines discussed during the lecture.
•Use the template “Newsletter Template.p65” found in the “Photo Page Design & Layout”
folder in the “Design Files for BPAS-W (2008)” folder on the “Student on Bart” drive.
51
•Although you are not required to use a standard column width, your story text should not be
too wide or too narrow. Keep your readers’ comfort in mind.
•Don’t run too much text and keep text blocks modular.
•Give every photo a caption.
•Keep interior margins consistent and push the white space to the outside.
•Use the “Defined Styles” chart for text format. Exception: You may use an alternative
typeface for your headline, but seek coaching from your instructor to ensure it works with
your page design.
52
Design examples
Here you will find seven layout examples for a newsletter-sized double truck layout. These
examples give you some basic ideas to begin your own layout. However, these are not the
only possibilities. Your layout is only limited by your own creativity. Look at other
publications for inspiration. The first step in designing almost anything is to draw a simple
sketch of your idea. From there you can begin the layout process. Let your sketch serve as a
flexible guide. Of all the pages in a publication, photo pages allow you the greatest degree of
creativity.
Example 1
53
Example 2
Example 3
54
Example 4
Example 5
55
Example 6
Example 7
56
Creating a thumbnail sketch
Lay out your photos or contact sheet in front of you. Select about five to 10 of your best
quality photos. Use the boxes below to sketch several layout possibilities. This is your chance
to experiment, so don’t get stuck on one idea. Your layout possibilities are endless. Be
creative.
57
This criteria sheet is a guide for you as you develop your assignment. Check beside each
criterion after you have fulfilled each necessary element required for excellence.
P U B L I C A F F A I RS D E P A R TM E N T
D E F E N S E I N F O RM A T I O N S C H O O L
PH O TO PAG E C RI TERI A SH EET
CHECK
_ _ _ _ _ 1 . P a g e f l a t i s c o mp l e t e , c a me r a r e a d y an d p u b l i s h a b l e .
_ _ _ _ _ 2 . D e s i g n h as a b a l a n ce o f d i s p l ay ty p e , b od y ty p e , ar t w o r k a nd
w h i t e s p a ce , a n d o f fe r s s mo o t h e y e f l o w . D e s i g n in c l u d e s f oc u s .
_ _ _ _ _ 3 . P a g e r e f l ec t s t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f d e s i g n .
_ _ _ _ _ 4 . C o py i s a li g n e d a n d s e t i n a m o d u l a r b l oc k .
_ _ _ _ _ 5 . P h o t o s a r e p r o p e r ly c r o p p e d an d s i ze d .
_ _ _ _ _ 6 . E a c h ph o t o h a s i t s o w n c a p t i o n wi t h p r o p e r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d
r e l e v a n t i n f o r m a t i on . T h e d om i n a n t p h o t o c ap t i o n i n c l u d es t h e
f o u r W ’s .
_ _ _ _ _ 7 . T h e d o mi n a n t p h o t o c o m mu n i c a t e s t h e t h e m e o f t h e p a g e a n d
s h o w s a c ti o n .
_ _ _ _ _ 8 . T h e s u b j ec t mu s t b e f u l l y i d en t i f i e d i n a t l e a s t o n e p h o t o .
_ _ _ _ _ 9 . T h e m a i n h e a d l i n e is a p p ro p ri a t e a n d re f l e c t s t h e c o n t e n t o f t h e
d o mi n a n t p h o t o .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 0 . A t l e as t t h r e e o ut o f f o u r p h o t o f o rma t s a r e us e d .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 1 . P h o t os a r e t e c h n i c a l l y c o r re c t i n c o m p o s i t i o n , e xp o s u r e , f o c u s a nd
f l a s h t e c h n i q u e . P ag e i n c l u d e s t h r e e t o f i v e p h o t o s .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 2 . I n t e r i or m a r g i n s a r e c o n s is t e n t .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 3 . C on s ta n t s (f l a g s , f o l i o s , e t c . ) a r e i n p l a c e .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 4 . B o x l i n e s a r e n ot t o o t h i n , t o o t h i c k o r mi s s i n g .
58
Exercise 5
Final Product
Publication date: Thursday
You must design and lay out a newsletter’s front and back pages. The Defense Information
School staff, faculty and students are your readers. Follow this checklist carefully to ensure
you complete each part of the assignment correctly. Although the final product is due at 1125
tomorrow, your news story and corresponding photo are due at 1600 today.
□ Write a news story and shoot a corresponding photo for use on the front
page. (Early Deadline)
Your primary instructor must approve your topic. No more than one student from each
section can cover the same topic.
News peg: _________________________ Source: _____________________
Instructor Approval (initials): _______
Turn in:
 Completed/edited story, formatted in 12 pt, Times New Roman, Expanded
(1.2), Double-spaced
 Corresponding photo, cropped and enhanced, 8” on the longest side, 150dpi
(Place in photojournalism assignment folder)
□ Prepare stories/photos for the DTP process.
You will use your news story and corresponding photo for the front page, but you will also
edit your human-interest feature (Feats 2) and/or your auxiliary feature (Feats 4) for use on
the back cover of the newsletter. In addition, you may choose to use your feature photo or
sports photo as a stand-alone on the back cover with a corresponding catchline and cutline.
□ Write headlines.
Follow the headline writing guidelines presented throughout the course. Set downstyle, flush
left and sans-serif, 18-point minimum, 48 maximum, vary postures and weights. Headlines
must cover at least one half of the last column of copy.
59
□ Create an appropriate flag for your newsletter.
Design and lay out your flag using 4 x 1.5” of space at the top of Page 1. It must include a
folio line with the following information:
Vol. (Class #), No. (Badge #)
Fort George G. Meade, Md. 20755
Publication date
Include “For instructional purposes only” statement above the flag.
□ Use at least one piece of art.
The art must be tasteful, professional and relate to a story or the flag. Should be small enough
to not overpower the page, but not so small that it is lost. Go to http://office.microsoft.com
and click on “Clip Art.”
□ Use consistent design styles.
You may use the Defined Styles in the DTP Workbook, or you may develop your own style.
Consistency is key. You may lay your stories out using two, three or four columns. Justify
the news story and used ragged right alignment for features.
□ Use jumps sparingly.
If there is space left on Page 1 after laying out your news story and photo, then you may start
one of your features on the front page. You must place at least three inches of copy before
jumping the story.
□ Use additional graphic elements if possible.
You may use pulled quotes, dropped caps, and/or information boxes or graphics, as
appropriate.
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General News Story
ORGANIZATION WORKSHEET
LEAD ELEMENTS
WHO______________________________________________________________________
WHY/HOW________________________________________________________________
WHAT_____________________________________________________________________
WHEN_____________________________________________________________________
WHERE___________________________________________________________________
BRIDGE ELEMENTS – Briefly highlight at least one important “W”.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
BODY – Expand on the lead and bridge; include ALL the information from the data sheet, to
include times/places of important events, background details and quotes.
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________________________
7. ________________________________________________________________________
8. ________________________________________________________________________
9. ________________________________________________________________________
10. ________________________________________________________________________
11. ________________________________________________________________________
12. ________________________________________________________________________
13. ________________________________________________________________________
14. ________________________________________________________________________
Have you answered ALL the readers’ questions?
61
This criteria sheet is a guide for you as you develop your assignment. Check beside each
criterion after you have fulfilled each necessary element required for excellence.
P U B L I C A F F A I RS D E P A R TM E N T
D E F E N S E I N F O RM A T I O N S C H O O L
DESI G N & LAYO UT E XER CI SE( S) CRI TE RI A SH EET
CHECK
_ _ _ _ _ 1 . P a g e f l a t i s c o mp l e t e , c a me r a r e a d y an d p u b l i s h a b l e .
_ _ _ _ _ 2 . D e s i g n h as a b a l a n ce o f d i s p l ay ty p e , b od y ty p e , ar t w o r k a nd
w h i t e s p a ce , a n d o f fe r s s mo o t h e y e f l o w . D e s i g n in c l u d e s f oc u s .
_ _ _ _ _ 3 . P a g e r e f l ec t s t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f d e s i g n .
_ _ _ _ _ 4 . C o py i s a li g n e d a n d s e t i n a m o d u l a r b l oc k .
_ _ _ _ _ 5 . P h o t o s a r e p r o p e r ly c r o p p e d an d s i ze d .
_ _ _ _ _ 6 . E a c h p ho t o s h ow s a c t i o n a n d h a s i t s ow n c a p t i o n wi t h p r o p e r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d ot h e r r e l e v a n t i n f o rm a t i o n .
_ _ _ _ _ 7 . P h o t os a r e t e c h n i c a l l y c o r re c t i n c o m p o s i t i o n , e xp o s u r e , f o c u s a nd
flash technique.
_ _ _ _ _ 8 . I n t e r i or m a r g i n s a r e c o n s is t e n t .
_ _ _ _ _ 9 . C on s t an t s ( f l a gs , f o l i o s , e t c . ) a r e i n p l a c e .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 0 . B o x l i n e s a r e n ot t o o t h i n , t o o t h i c k o r mi s s i n g .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 1 . T h e c op y i s f r e e o f t y p i n g e r r o r s , c on f o r ms t o t h e A P
S t y l e b oo k a n d i s a c cu r a t e , b r i e f a n d c l e a r . A l l n e w s a n d f e a tu r e
c o p y w i l l b e g r a d e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e P A D g ra d i n g g u i de .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 2 . A r tw or k i s p r o pe r l y c r op p e d a n d s i ze d .
_ _ _ _ _ 1 3 . L a r g e a r e a s o f gr a y a r e e l i mi n a t e d o r b r o k e n up by a r t o r
headlines.
_ _ _ _ _ 1 4 . H e a d li n e s a r e ap p r o p r i a t e . N o t o mb s t o n e s ( b ump i n g ) .
62