Basic CP5 design possibilities

2010-05-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

THE FRONT PAGE

This should be like a billboard with a bit more information: teasers.

TEASERS — Every article should be in a Teaser element.

These should be written to attract busy, "looking for quick info" users. If written well and concisely, they should be a determined length, approximately.

TOP STORY

This is checked to make a story appear larger on the page See "NLC Variety Show shines with passion" and "KSYM named best music station in readers' voting" on PREMIERE. "NLC" is across the full page and "KSYM" is in a Column Splitter. It takes patience to make content within a Column Splitter even at the top and bottom of the page.

PHOTOS

Horizontal photos, which are the primary shape in the print version, don't work as well online. Slightly wider verticals work best, especially for section front play.

HEADLINES

These should be written for online users (See HEADLINES). Try for even alignment and use a word that can be found on search engines.

SUBHEADS

Same goes for these. Try not to repeat what the headline and the teaser say.

CUTLINES

For Top Story photos To add a link to cutlines, use this CSS at the bottom of the teaser:

ELEMENTS

Article List — Use this for a variety of purposes. See the words "Editorials," "Viewpoints" and "Letters" on the OPINION page

The Column Splitter — Places copy in two columns. Try to keep the stories even at top and bottom.

Image Element — Use for stand-alone photos with cutline.

Category List - this is automatically populated by the way you tag stories. If you categorize stories by NEWS when uploading them and use a NEWS category list you will automatically see the articles flow into this element. (This has been a problem.)

Spotlight — See "These stories attracted. . ." on NEWS and "Interesting folks. . ." on BLOTTER

Tabs — See "Meet the DJs.

HTML — See "Music Calendar" and "Moviefone" on PREMIERE

Everyone involved should go through Training

Wish list:

Things for online that don't need to go in the print version.

A regular video of Dr. Z's interview on The Sauce. If not a video, a Podcast. This would enable people who don't listen to KSYM to catch it. Doesn't seem like it would need editing or proofing. Tape Thursday, put it up on Friday.

An intro by Digital Design student(s) — animated of course. This would be a one-shot deal to lead in Dr. Z's interview.

KSYM DJs' recommended music. One CD a week. Need an intro and one song? Use art to tease.

Cheshyre Cheese Club book reviews. Use cover shot to tease.

We can put them all in a Spotlight element which would stretch across the page. Then, where to put it would be a question. (Click on example for full size.)

Here's an idea for editorial cartoons. It doesn't have to be so complex. But movement is important on the website. Mark Fiore's work

If the group wants to use a tab with top section stories at the top of front, the photos must be the same size (approximately). At least they should be either horizontal or vertical. Otherwise, the copy below the tab will jump. The example's headline doesn't fit. REWRITE. "event" will fit.

Polls should be determined ahead of time by the staff. Could be on OPINION, PREMIERE, PULSE or BLOTTER. The number of choices will be dictated by the position on the page.

If the group wants to change the front page format, two examples of the change are here. One has graphics and heads, the other has no photo, just heads. Both can be done with a Column Splitter, an Article List and a Photo Element. Either can be combined with other elements to give the user options without taking up extra space.

Quick Idea Joggers

Check out the best college websites.
Check out the best high school websites.
Check out Design Awards gallery
Check out webdesigndev.com , an interesting spot for web enthusiasts.

An interesting front page. (Click to enlarge)

The Minnesota Daily is an entirely student produced and managed newspaper serving the University of Minnesota campus and surrounding community. The paper is published Monday through Thursday in print during the fall and spring semesters, and Wednesdays during the summer semester. Content is also published on our website daily.

Just in case, you do some editing, here is a truncated version of AP Style. You'd be better off buying a real AP Stylebook. The new one should be out soon.

FEATURES ADDED ON SECTIONS

NEWS
Links to weather and stories about free student services.
OPINION
Two fact checkers, a poll and a link to cartoons.
PREMIERE
Movies and music links.
PULSE
Links to Candler hours, wellness activities and intramural sports information.
BLOTTER
Link to Alamo Colleges Police Department.
ABOUT US
Staff, paper and department info, advertising, SPJ, former students, Legacy and Edith Fox King Lecture.

• Photo Tips
• Headlines
• Titles - not headlines
• What is HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and Perl?
• Web design for beginners
• CYBERJOURNALIST.NET
• multimediashooter
• E-Media Tidbits
• How To from The South Jersey Line
• How to upload video to YouTube
• Google maps on the site
• Using Vimeo on the site
• Using Garage Band on the site
• Design Tips

Rangeronlinedesign

Basic CP5 design possibilities

Wish list:

Links