News design is a process of designing content on a printed page, according to graphical and editorial rules and objectives. While artistic considerations are most obviously associated with aesthetic goals, strategic planning is crucial for a newsroom that hopes to produce an informed consumer base. Key editorial goals include the placement of news stories in the paper by category, timing, or relevancy, the organization’s handling of breaking news, and the integration of marketing messages with the news.
The history of news design dates back at the advent of the first published newspaper in 17rored Europe. Early newsrooms were equipped with a simple two-page spread, usually printed from top to bottom with sidebars that showed the primary story, such as “First Story,” “Next Story,” etc. and only occasionally giving sidebars like “Bibliography,” “Culture,” etc. (as in, not just listing who had contributed to each story), and, generally speaking, little else. Newspaper printers often ran out of paper before their deadlines, so a two-page spread was adequate.
The New York Times, the newspaper of record for the United States, has implemented a modern approach to news design, at least in the online edition. Although it still uses the simple layout, the latest New York Times web design has evolved into something far more attractive than the original version. For example, unlike earlier New York Times web sites, the newer site incorporates a mobile app that allows users to view the current headlines, get breaking news alerts, and even download the New York Times RSS feed. Further development of this application is planned to allow it to be used as a news source on the go.
Most newspapers have made their web designs available to subscribers through open access platforms. These platforms enable the public to download news layouts and then use the layouts on any computer, provided they have internet access. This type of news design will make it easier for people to read newspapers on the move. However, web technology has made it possible for people to read New York Times news on their iPhones, which makes this approach seem even more convenient. However, the convenience does not stop there, as newspapers are now starting to take advantage of newer forms of mobile communication, such as Bluetooth technology and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).
In order to give subscribers the ability to receive any newspaper they want, the New York Times web design provides an option for subscribers to receive a large preview of the content. This large preview allows the reader to “try before you buy” by viewing a relatively large version of the story online and deciding if it’s worth it. Although the reader is not able to fully examine the article in its entirety, the preview gives them a good idea of what the content will look like. News readers will find this especially valuable when it comes to news that contains images or charts. Most newspapers provide these types of content in addition to the standard text.
In addition to providing a large preview of the content, the New York Times web design allows the reader to track specific subjects of interest via the “addition search” feature. This is similar to what most websites use today, where the user can simply search for a particular topic or category. The addition search feature of the New York Times web design allows people to search for specific items based on their location, the date the article was published, the language used, or keywords related to the subject. The New York Times web design team took all of these factors into account while developing their site, resulting in an effective and user friendly website that also offers the best possible content. News websites that offer the best content should always have the best web design, as it represents the face of the company behind the news.