Design With Reason: The "Listen With Reason" Column 01.04.01
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Why a column like this? Because too many web sites seem devoid of personality. Because the world of newspaper design can always use a little more dialogue. And because, hey, it's my web site. So I thought, why not create the first regular online column about newspaper design, on the first web site devoted to newspaper design? The goal is to discuss current issues fairly regularly; feedback and ideas for future topics are encouraged. Why "Listen With Reason?" Because "Listen to ..." sounded a little too preachy.

The "Listen With Reason" Poll
Your opinion: Does the SND contest matter in your life?

Yes, whether I win or lose, I find it a fair valuation of my worth as a designer.
No, I find consolation elsewhere.


Results

Back to home page:
www.ronreason.com
(more tips on newspaper design, graphics and editing).


 Uhoh. Looks like SND contest deadline is near, judging by the mailbox here at Newspaper Design headquarters.
One correspondent writes: "What can I do if my boss won't enter my pages in SND? I could enter them on my own but he might think I'm going around his back. And the judges might not like entries that aren't sent in by the whole paper. I've done really great work that the paper refuses to recognize."
Just a few days later, I get this, from a supervisor: "How do I tell someone their work is NOT going to be entered for the SND contest? I am struggling with this because people are obviously proud of their work, and they have worked hard. But I have to be brutal and consider the page's chances of winning."
I hear comments like this a lot, especially at contest time. Staffers and bosses alike struggle to know which pages are worth sending in.
To the staffer wondering why her stuff doesn't make the cut, I ask this: Have you been told why the work doesn't measure up? Not just at contest time, but throughout the year? Managing design (and designers) is tough stuff, it takes time and talent. Do your bosses have that? It's especially difficult to articulate why one page or one designer's work measures up, and another doesn't, but if your bosses are willing to play the SND game, you deserve at least that. Unfortunately, it often does come down to aesthetics, and you may have to accept that. (And double standards suck too - it hurts when you get praised in July for a food section cover only to see it rejected for the contest in January.)
To the boss who's struggling to make the tough cuts, I ask this: Are design standards clear throughout the year, not only from a stylebook standpoint (nuts and bolts) but in terms of creative flair? Is your staff submitting lots of pages that don't adhere to the paper's style (one kiss of death in contests) or follow all the basics of good type, color and grid use? And are you seeing pages that look good but, let's be honest, really don't tell the story? And finally, are you tormented in looking for ways to tell your staff they are valued but worried you won't get the SND seal of approval?
Here are some ideas everyone might consider for a happier, friendlier contest time in-house:
  • It might require an early December deadline, but why not have an in-house group review all submissions? Include an editor, reporter, artist, copy editor and maybe the publisher on your review team. (Heck, this is how SND does it.) Group approval eliminates accusations of favoritism, a common contest bugaboo.
  • Find some outside experts to judge your paper's best pages, or to name the best designers. The Virginian-Pilot several years ago asked me to judge an in-house contest to name a designer of the year and two runners-up. (A tough chore considering the depth of talent at that paper!) This was part of an overall newsroom effort to recognize in-house excellence, in writing, photography, etc. Cash prizes were awarded!
  • Have a large group meeting or discussion before the staff submits contest entries to clarify the paper's standards. Hold up some pages that probably will make the cut and talk about why. If you're brave, hold up some that won't. Or look at another paper with weak pages and talk about what has fallen apart and why those wouldn't do well at SND. Use the opportunity to check up on the health of your paper's design, and to talk openly about weaknesses. (And face it, some shortcomings aren't anyone's fault. If your paper uses Times Bold as a headline face in a way that seems dated, even the most fundamentally sound pages might be sniffed at by the SND judges. Aesthetics and trends do seem to count.)

    • * * *
    Super SND commentary bonus!: For earlier thoughts about the SND competition, specifically, whether it's "fair," visit this link: http://www.ronreason.com/listen/listen091200.html. For an inside look at the judging, and the musings of one judge in particular, visit here: http://www.skwish.com/snd/sndfront.html. And good luck to everyone who has the time, inclination, energy and money to enter contests!


    * * *

    Proceed to next column: Getting reporters and editors to fill out the budget

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    Web posted: Jan. 4, 2001.
    design@ronreason.com