UAE | Media
When content marries design at Gulf News
What does newspaper design mean? Is it the stunningly detailed illustration, the bar graph, the recreation of an accident or the way the stories and photos are arranged on a page?
- By Anupa Kurian, Readers Editor
- Published: 00:10 March 19, 2008
- Gulf News has won seven international excellence awards for design this year, which is recognition of how well a newspaper marries the various artistic elements in a page with content to provide the reader with a great experience.
- Image Credit:
What does newspaper design mean? Is it the stunningly detailed illustration, the bar graph, the recreation of an accident or the way the stories and photos are arranged on a page?
Click here to view Gulf News' award winning designs (pdf)
The answer is a resounding "yes" to all. Good newspaper design is a "holistic" marriage of all the various elements that give a reader a better experience and sense of the newspaper.
It is definitely not just about being attractive. It is about visual communication being at its best — how well the content and elements of design have come together.
Gulf News has received seven awards of excellence at the Society for News Design's 29th edition of The Best of Newspaper Design competition.
This is the second year in a row that the paper has won recognition at the contest. In the past, Gulf News designers have won as individual entries.
Miguel Angel Gomez, Gulf News Design Director said: "It is the most recognised contest in the world of news design, especially as a contest that judges on the quality of how well design and aesthetics has been wedded to information."
But, why would a newspaper be bothered with the effort and patience needed to create good design?
It may not truly matter to a reader if a headline is a darker shade of yellow ochre, but he or she will care if good design means an easier read, better navigation and organisation of content.
Gomez said: "Design, which includes graphics is a key part of a newspaper, as most times the core content in newspapers may be similar but what sets you apart is the way it is put together — you are giving readers a better experience."
Success at The Best of Newspaper Design competition means Gulf News is achieving that right balance. But, it is not an equilibrium that is easy to achieve. It needs patience, rigour, skill and an intrepid spirit. As a newspaper you have to be ready to experiment and innovate — find new ways to tell a story or convey a fact.
And the only way to do that is through planning and a clear vision. "We specifically look for innovation and avoid clichés, something that adds value to content," he said.
"You have to always remember that content is king. No matter how nice the presentation, if the content is not good it will not work," Gomez said.
"The winning of these SND awards is a validation of that teamwork. All the awards this year are pages that are examples of collaborative work."
Gulf News has, to a great extent, pioneered newspaper design in the region. Many credit it for the awakening of design within this environment and setting trends. But, this leadership means the responsibility to continuously build on.
"Now the other newspapers are following. Competition is always good. We raise the bar every day because we want to be better," added Gomez.
Efforts recognised
By Dr Mario R. Garcia, CEO and founder of Garcia Media.
Consultant to Gulf News for the past eight years
"Why am I not surprised that Gulf News continues to win SND awards? For one thing, I have witnessed first hand the evolution of Gulf News as a publication that truly believes in innovation, constant change and service to its readers. Design is only a part of this, as it is more importantly about content, responsible and credible journalism, and how news is packaged to make it easy to find, easy to read and appealing. Gulf News and its online edition do that, and more. Both are service oriented, and the design elements are forever married to content. Visual journalism at its best, and readers/users are the beneficiaries."
Making an impact
By Karl Gude, Professor of Info graphics at Michigan State University, former director of graphics at Newsweek magazine and info graphics consultant with Gulf News.
"Winning an award of this nature is a sign that a newspaper cares about its appearance and is doing well to advance in that area. It is making an impact. It also means that the newspaper will attract good staff, as it is a good place to work in.
"If a newspaper is well designed when you are looking at it, you wish to stay with it and spend time on it.
"Good design also gives brand identity has it makes for a logical read, better flow of matter and better use of visuals."
A first for the region
By Ramachandra Babu, Senior illustrator with Gulf News
This year, he was part of one of the judging panels at the SND's The Best of Newspaper Design competition.
"I looked at 8,000 pages in three days. It offered a great opportunity to meet talent from around the world and I got very good feedback about Gulf News from the other judges.
"It is a privilege to be selected as an SND judge, especially as it is for the first time from a newspaper in the region.
"In fact, it was a double honour as my caricature of the famed author Gabriel Garcia Marquez was selected for an award of excellence by SND.
"A caricature is a kind of creative art that is different from a portraiture.
"The image has to be easily identifiable, it should be proportionate, while exaggerating something specific without distortion.
"It is a tough task and every artist has a unique identity when it comes to creating a caricature.
"What is unique about my work is probably the details, which you would also find across most of my work.
"I would call it my thumbprint."
Professional approach
By Douglas Okasaki, Senior designer for Gulf News
He is also the regional director — Middle East/Africa — for the Society for News Design
"Design in newspapers in the region has become more and more professional in the past three to four years.
"There is still a big gap between English and regional language newspapers. But design has now become big and Gulf News is creating the benchmark after winning for two consecutive years in the competition. Others are following suit and this ensures better overall quality.
"Dubai with its dynamic spirit, facilities, artistic environment, high-quality printing and publishing facilities should be developed as the capital for graphic design in the region."
Represents a vast spectrum
By Marshall Matlock, SND/Newhouse Competitions Director
"Gulf News continues to improve how it looks and how it presents the news. I admire how the editors and designers are able to reflect the fast changing face of the UAE through the content and design of their newspaper. The newspaper manages to appeal to a multi-ethnic readership with a variety of interests. Readers come from cities and countries where how newspapers read and look can represent a vast spectrum. The SND competition recognises the — best of the best — for every award presented. The competition's judges obviously found that the Gulf News' team has excellent skills!"
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Copying will take you nowhere
Copying will take you nowhere
-
Best print award: Number one in Asia
Best print award: Number one in Asia
-
Gulf News designers speak
Gulf News designers speak
-
Gulf News does it again
Gulf News does it again
-
Case Study: Winner of Star Wars pullout poster
Case Study: Winner of Star Wars pullout poster
-
A first for the region
A first for the region
Popular in UAE
Latest news
- Khalifa orders allocation of plots to UAE nationals
- Abu Dhabi issues traffic safety guidelines for Eid
- Al Qasba celebrates Eid Al Adha with family activities
- Free parking for nine days in the capital
- DEWA opening hours during Eid
- Kuwaiti Emir invites Khalifa to Arab summit
- UAE Haj pilgrims safe and well: official
- Briton loses libel case against newspaper
- Activities lined up for Eid holidays in Dubai parks
- Malaysian woman jailed for forging cards
- Schools mark National Day with shows
- Munching on a health hazard
- Wag a tail
- SAT wiz: Top of the class
- Sharjah housemaid packed off
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Community Reports
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
