Hi all,
I'm taking over our Newspaper class, which produces our school paper (more of a newsmagazine). Although I have a lot of knowledge and experience with news WRITING, I am totally unaware of the terms and skills associated with layout. I'm also pretty dismal with our computer programs (photoshop and indesign). I know that the editor and staff will generally know what's going on, but I want to be a more knowledgable resource, especially since I'm technically "teaching" the class and more than 2/3 of our staff is brand new. Any suggestions for places and ways to increase my awareness before school starts? Thanks!
Responses
Susan, 7/28/2005, 10:33:28 PM
Buy the Newspaper Designer's Handbook by Tim Harrower (McGraw-Hill). It will answer almost all your questions. Look at professional media. Go to any area workshops you can find. If you state has an state high school press assocations, contact them and use other teachers as a resource. Also, don't forget you don't have to have all the answers. I have lots of students who are more computer savvy than I, but I have lots more experience in other areas. It's okay to learn from each other.
km, 8/30/2005, 8:34:21 AM
I would also suggest buying acopy of The Best of the High School Press which you can purchase right from this site, since NSPA puts it out.
also, buy the Best of the Newspaper Design. It comes out every year and is the professional press, but there are great ideas there, even if many are broadsheet.
then, students can look through these, find pages they like and 'copy the design' with their own stories and photos and art and type styles. It won't look a thing like the ones they copies because photos and stories will vary in size and students will put their own touches on. They may even take two different ideas and meld the two or add several elements from one spread and incorporate them into the basic idea of another.
rs, 9/5/2005, 1:22:43 PM
Go to your local paper and sit down with a paginator or graphic designer. Also, Adobe (they publishe InDesign and Photoshop) has books with interactive lessons you can buy. They're pretty helpful. You might also want to hook with the yearbook adviser/staff.
Good luck!
