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Browse the full index of recent Listen With Reason columns, including: Should newspapers be fun? ... The curse of special effects ... How readers reacted to recent redesigns ... Do design contests matter? 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. What's on your wish list? A new editor? A pagination system that is flexible and fluid? Better color reproduction? A shiny new pica pole? Click here, share your wishes and I'll use them in a December column. Thanks! Back to home page: www.ronreason.com (more tips on newspaper design, graphics and editing).		What can newspaper designers be thankful for as the holiday season approaches? Sure, we may work with some turkeys, and sometimes we'd like to tell them to stuff it, but there are lots of things on the bright side. I, for one, am giving thanks ... ... that some news organizations are willing to consider new ways of newspapering. On Nov. 18 I was welcomed to the offices of Morgunbladid, Iceland's largest and most distinctive newspaper, where an auditorium of reporters and editors seemed very receptive to a slide presentation and discussion about a variety of "visual" topics: collaborating with designers and photographers, planning and organizing text and visuals in new ways, informational graphics, editing and packaging with the reader in mind. And closer to home, several friends at The Dallas Morning News report this week that there's a renewed emphasis on thinking about "what's best for the reader" when it comes to presentation of the news. This was one of the major themes of a leadership retreat we conducted at the paper a few weeks ago; talking about change is one thing, but actually making it happen is another. Congrats and thanks to all the open-minded and hard-working staff at the Morning News. ... that newspapers like the Boston Herald still exist to put the craziness of current events into context. Sure, there's always a place for The Wall Street Journal. But the Herald front pages from recent days (above) show that our redesign several years ago - while cleaning up, modernizing and organizing the paper considerably - did not erase its personality. You can view the paper's front page layout each day by linking here. (The staff's flair for combining words and images is also quite evident in the paper's feature pages, a number of which warmed the hearts of my audiences last week in Iceland.) ... that newspaper readership hasn't dwindled even more than it has. While some like to think the sky is falling because readership isn't climbing or has dipped a bit, I like to think it's a miracle more readers haven't deserted print to consume the same content for free online. (For one famous scribe's take on why newspapers and others should start charging for content, and strong reaction to the contrary, link here.) ... that the exodus of print designers for the web seems to be slowing somewhat, thanks to the humbled financial realities at most dot.coms. (Some talented artists and designers have actually returned to print recently after realizing the web thing may not have been the creative outlet they expected.) And though some newspapers are tightening their belts with hiring freezes, I'm still hearing about lots of good openings at good newspapers. A quick review of the SND jobs board shows this is so. (Designers, feel free to email me if you want advice on the job market.) * * * When asked what newspaper designers have to be thankful for, some friends offered these tidbits: Knight-Ridder design goddess Deborah Withey replied, "I'm thankful that newspapers are daily, and that forces you to be creative (whether you are feeling inspired or not!) everyday. And I'm thankful for low-rub ink - it's the one improvement that the whole of the world's readership seems to agree was a good one." And Monica Moses of the Poynter Institute said the industry can be grateful for visually aware editors in key positions such as David Yarnold at San Jose, Chris Peck at Spokane and Gilbert Bailon in Dallas. And Janet Michaud of the Boston Globe said she's thankful "for editors and writers who understand the power of design and who don't think it's simply a vehicle used to make things look pretty, for illustrators who are willing to collaborate openly, and for editors who'll go the extra mile to push quality to the next level." (We should all be so thankful!) Finally, from Eric Edwards, page designer (and columnist!) at the Orlando Sentinel, here are a bunch of good reasons for news designers to be thankful: "Almost every day when we get off work we have something tangible to show for it. There are at least 365 products a year so if you mess one up, you have plenty of opportunities to make up for it. With that many products almost every decent idea stands a chance of getting into the paper. We get to act like improvisational artists. Competition from the internet has made our jobs more valuable. The hardest days on the job are the ones that go the most quickly. There's always something new. Would you rather be in sales?" Coming up: What's on your wish list? What special gift would make your newsroom a better place, no matter how outlandish or seemingly unrealistic? Email me and I'll use your thoughts in a December column. Until then, happy holidays and thanks for reading! Proceed to next column: Dealing with common newsroom irritations Back to top of page
Web posted: Nov. 17, 2000. design@ronreason.com