TRADITIONAL PATTERNS
The term traditional patterns (fig. 8-24) refers to
the following front-page design strategies:
. Formal balance
l Quadrant
l Focus (brace)
l Circus (razzle-dazzle)
Formal Balance
In formal balance design (fig. 8-24, view A), the
page is vertically divided in half. Each element to be
placed on one side of the vertical center line is
duplicated by the same treatment of elements at the same
point on the opposite side. In this type of design, there
are two lead stories; both are usually of equal
importance.
Formal balance design forces the news into a
formula and does not distinctly tell the relationships,
values and relative worth of the news. It also creates an
artificial look, with the makeup being the dominant
factor on the page. It is considered “visually boring” by
modern editors. Most editors still using formal balance
vary its use often enough to escape the deadening effect
of sameness.
A variation of formal balance is the dynamic
(informal) balance design. It follows the same
fundamental principle as described in the formal
balance design, except when you progress below the
horizontal fold of the page. This is where the exact
duplication of the formal balance design is abandoned
Since the dynamic balance design gives the editor
more latitude in designing the page, it is slightly more
pleasing to the eye.
Quadrant Design
In quadrant design (fig. 8-24, view B), the page is
divided into four quarters, and a dominant, eye-stopping
element (picture or headline) is placed in each quarter
so that diagonal quarters balance each other. The
diagonal line, then, is the type of line used In this type
of design, the lead story is placed in the upper left-hand
corner or the upper right-hand corner depending on
which is being used as the final point of the page.
Quadrant design formalizes quarter-page balance
and is useful for giving equal display to equally
important stories.
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Focus (Brace) Design
In focus (or brace) design (fig. 8-24, view C), the
page is made up by placing headlines and pictures on
the page to forma diagonal line from the upper left-hand
corner to the lower right-hand corner Then a strong
typographical display is used in the upper right-hand
corner for sharp emphasis. The diagonal line is the type
of line used here. In this type of design, the lead story is
placed in the upper right-hand corner
A letter or figure pattern is discernible in the focus
design Note in figure 8-24, view C, that the figure “7”
is apparent in the pattern. Also note that attention is
“focused” on the comers by the stair-step arrangement
of headlines that appear to “brace up” those corners.
Focus design is useful when you have one story that
outweighs any other in news value. It also is useful in
getting readers to read through the page.
Circus (Razzle-Dazzle) Design
In circus (or razzle-dazzle) design (fig. 8-24, view
D), the page is made up by placing elements on the page
so all elements scream for the reader’s immediate
attention. Therefore, there is no focus of interest on the
page.
The circle is the type of line used in the circus
design. In this type of design, the lead story is placed in
the upper left-hand corner or the upper right-hand
corner depending on which you are using as the final
point of the page.
Circus design is characterized by immense type,
large art masses arrayed in unorthodox shapes and
positions, use of colored ink for headlines, use of white
space, movement of the nameplate to a minor spot on
the page, use of widely varying headline typefaces with
emphasis on the boldest weights, and preference for
multicolumn displays.
Because it is difficult (if not impossible) to make up
a page so no one item stands out above any other, circus
design is probably the most difficult design to use
successfully.
CONTEMPORARY PATTERNS
While not really offering a new concept in
newspaper style, the following design concepts
represent a break from the pure traditional patterns:
l Functional
. Horizontal
