What? There are people who design … news pages? Yes there are – good newspapers, magazines or websites don’t just plop out of the computer looking orderly, inviting, informative … or, bad ones looking dumpy, stale and listless. It’s a unique niche of publishing uniting content, navigation, and the needs of readers and advertisers.
This blog (and the umbrella website, ronreason.com, since 1997) offers a discussion about newspapers, magazines, and news web sites, and their challenges and opportunities in this daunting/exciting period in publishing history. It links to sources of inspiration for doing it all better, views of my travels to newsrooms around the world, and case studies shared by my clients. If considering a newspaper redesign, you may wish to visit one of the more popular posts on my website, “Six Questions on the Redesign Process,” updated for 2011.
My approach from other consultants differs in that it begins with a question of revenue: What can be done via the redesign/reinvention process that can actually boost the bottom line? Other posts on this blog address this topic, such as “Newspaper Redesign 2010: Start at the Bottom Line,” address this issue. In addition, my definition of “news design” has exploded in recent years, to encompass broader themes of information presentation. Mobile phone readers, Twitter updates, blog publishing, consumer products like Yelp and FourSquare: all are designed, organized and branded, just as newspapers have been for years – with the critical addition of interactivity. All are competitors to traditional newspapers, but increasingly and strategically, they are smart partners as well. In addition, the marriage of editorial content and advertising destinations has taken on greater importance, and the need is great for innovation in both areas. Related post: “Advertising Innovation Requires Systematic Approach.”
For sure, it’s an exciting time to be plugged in to news design. Need advice or want to comment? E-mail me at any time: ron@ronreason.com.