Module Code and Title:         JRN302 Layout and Design for Journalism

Programme:                          BA in Mass Communication

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       New #3

General objective: The module will familiarize students with concepts and best practices in layout and design for journalism. This module will build on the skills learned in Basic Journalism and Digital Graphics Lab to assist students in understanding how their writing and visuals should come together to make aesthetically pleasing pieces that would be prevalent in the physical and digital print world.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Identify and differentiate typography, design principles and placement for different audiences and mediums.
2. Differentiate effective and ineffective practices in publications.
3. Discuss the importance of making and following basic design rules within newspaper and magazine design.
4. Plan and design layouts for publication.
5. Select and strategically place types of articles and/or stories that would be of interest to a particular audience.
6. Appraise a planned layout against visual and word count standards.
7. Explain considerations for balancing placement of paid content vs. publication content.
8. Design a standard layout for a magazine by using desktop publishing software.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. Individual News Article Written Assessment: Portion of final marks: 10%

Students will compose two news articles pertaining to relevant issues on campus that would appear on a front page layout. Each article of 500-600 words worth 5% of their grade should be current and relevant to the RTC community audience. Students will be graded according to the news writing rubric.

B. Individual Front Page Layout for Newspaper: Portion of final marks: 15%

Using the articles from assessment A, students will gather (at least) 2 visuals for a front page spread to practice their layout and design skills (A3 size). While there are no word limits or visual size parameters to their work, students must demonstrate their composition and layout skills appropriate for their peers on campus and in accordance to journalistic rules. Students will be graded on the appropriateness of components of design and ability to edit down stories, place visuals and use the standard components to a front page design. The 500-600 word articles are not re-assessed, however, ability to edit the stories to fit the space and end with an appropriate conclusion will be.

4%       Relevance and quality of visual pieces

3%       Appropriateness of article edits

8%       Inclusion of Nameplate, cut, deck, by-line, lead, headline, photo credit, cutline and placement of articles, visuals and paid content

C. Group Layout Project: Portion of Final Marks: 35%

In groups of 4, students will compile a Magazine for a particular audience which consists of 8 (4 double sided, 8 single sided) A3 sized pages. Students will decide on the theme and appropriately name their work to put together a cohesive product. Students will be in charge of layout for 2 pages (not consecutive) for 10% of their grade. Students will be responsible for at least 3 written pieces and 3 visual pieces for 15%. Students will be graded on a rubric for the originality, cohesion with the overall publication and quality of the work. Students will not be able to place their articles or visuals on the pages they layout.

4%       Editing written content

2%       Organization of visual content

1%       Inclusion of nameplates

3%       Thoroughness of design guidelines.

10%     Well written pieces

5%       Suitability of visual pieces

Students will submit an individual reflection of the process including the mock-up of their pages, a self-evaluation of the quality of the magazine, their layout pages, their articles and visuals and an overall summary of the process from planning to execution for 10%.

4%       Quality of reflection paper

3%       Summary of process

3%       Grammar, Mechanics and spelling

D. Practical Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Marks: 15%

Students must demonstrate their understanding of layout and design skills by creating a piece based on parameters they have covered up until this point of the term.

Pre-requisites: LAN202 Basic Journalism, CMS203 Digital Graphics Lab

Subject matter:

1. Unit I: Layout basics: understanding the steps and tools for a successful publication
   • Brief overview of developments in layout and design in journalism.
   • Traditional vs. digital layouts: knowing the similarities and differences in the process
     • Design for print, cut and paste-up
     • Editing on dummy sheets for re-paste
     • Computer-aided guides and design: one stop work
     • Identifying the audience: print, desktop or mobile for differentiated delivery
     • Incorporating messages in a variety of formats: how adapting formats reach the correct audience and increases loyalty
   • Working with pages and paste-up: the overview of the product and portions of a page: Nameplate/master head, cut, deck, by-line, lead, headline, photo credit, cutline
2. Unit II: Grids and lining up the work: using space to decide on and design a standard brand image to build on
   • Symmetrical grid: Positioning and the elements of a design
   • Symmetrical variations: Organisation, information and a sense of balance across a double-page spread
   • Asymmetrical grids: Utilization of the same layout within two pages
   • Baseline grid: Graphic foundation and supporting role
   • Cross alignment: Aligning different sizes to adhere to the same baseline grid
   • Working without a grid: Where the use of a grid is not appropriate
3. Unit III: Elements to design a page: standardizing rules within the publication for uniformity
   • Horizontal and vertical zonings
   • Columns and gutters for visual breaks
   • Image incorporation and stand-alone pictures
   • White space, headline and justification
   • Ranking of articles or advertisements; based on news value, funding and content
   • Paid content and advertorials: Impact of paid content on layout and design
     • Technical consideration and space desired for journalistic content: room for the newshole
     • Conflicting interests in staff and paid pieces
     • Informing the audience of paid content
   • Arrangement to avoid design conflicts
   • Pace; Relevance of pace in the digital age
4. Unit IV: Layout in use: making the page attractive, but not busy
   • Scale, indexing and orientation
   • Dividing the page: “above the fold” and “below the fold”
   • Structured/unstructured themes
   • Cases: Not seeing the entire picture-poor layout blunders
5. Unit V: Media variations: audience interaction with products
   • Magazine and brochure
     • Genre and style
     • Audience reach: price, delivery and subscription
   • Zines, newsletters and standard paper print: Audience, cost to produce, availability and schedule, and purpose of production
   • Websites: Analysing what works
     • Purpose: stand alone or support for another medium
     • Placement of pictures, news and familiar items
     • Advertisement: paid content and click-through
   • Moving Images: Enhancing the experience vs distraction
6. Unit VI: Digital magazine design
   • Audience and the interface; catering to the audience
   • Setting up the page and manipulating the page for different browsers and settings
   • Understanding type and Potential problems in design and use
   • Editing text for the web
   • Designing for the web
   • Making a brand for mass distribution
7. Unit VII: Digital sub-editing and design
   • Word usage and puns
   • Writing compelling headlines
   • Captions: text and pictures combine
   • Typography
   • Art and craft of publication design
   • Picture editing for a visual age
   • Using visuals and info graphics to explain complexity
8. Unit VIII: Designing effective standalone pieces
   • Placement, advertisements and contributions
   • Adapting the piece for requirements
   • Adopting new trends, e.g., Case of football clubs integrating augmented reality in print programmes

Reading List:

1. Essential Reading
   • 10 Magazine Ads That Don't Just Sit There Looking Pretty. Retrieved from http://www.adweek.com/creativity/10-great-magazine-ads-dont-just-sit-there-looking-pretty-132401/
   • 18 most disastrous newspaper and magazine layouts – SQ Magazine. (2013, July 31). Retrieved from http://sqmagazine.co.uk/2013/07/18-most-disastrous-newspaper-and-magazine-layouts/
   • 60 Best Print Advertising Campaigns | Design. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://graphicdesignjunction.com/2012/06/60-best-print-advertising-campaigns/
   • Augmented reality: Is Pokemon Go-style technology the future of football? - BBC Sport. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41029101
   • Friedman, V. (2008, February 11). Award-Winning Newspaper Designs. Retrieved from https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/02/award-winning-newspaper-designs/
   • Magazine Design: Exceptional Layouts and Covers - InDesign. Retrieved from http://www.indesignskills.com/inspiration/7-magazine-layout-and-cover-designs/
   • Magazine Designing. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.magazinedesigning.com/
   • Quinn, S. (2016). Digital sub-editing and design. New York: Focal Press.
   • Samara, T. (2008).Design evolution: Theory into practice. A handbook of basic design principles applied in contemporary design. Beverly, MA: Rockport.
2. Additional Reading
   • Bowles, D. A., & Borden, D. L. (2008). Creative editing. Boston: Wadsworth.
   • Collier, D., & Cotton, B. (1989). Basic desktop design and layout. Cincinnati, OH: North Light Books.
   • Dahlgren, P.S. (2016). Communication and citizenship: Journalism and the public sphere. S.l.: Routeledge.
   • DeVoss, D. N., Eidman-Aadahl, E., & Hicks, T. (2010).Because digital writing matters: Improving student writing in online and multimedia environments. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
   • Frost, C. (2012). Designing for newspapers and magazines. London: Routledge.
   • Garcia, M. R. (2002). Pure design: 79 simple solutions for magazines, books, newspapers, and websites. St. Petersburg, FL: Miller Media.
   • Harcup, T. (2004). Journalism: Principles and Practice. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
   • Honeywill, P., & Carpenter, D. (2003).Digital magazine design: with case studies. Bristol: Intellect Books.
   • Morrish, J., & B. (1996). Magazine editing. Hoboken: Taylor & Francis.

Date:  May 14, 2018