Lively discussions on the graphic arts and publishing — in print or on the web

ktinkel · 05-12-2006, 10:43 AM

On Friday, May 19, the St Bride Library will hold a one-day conference on the history and design of newspapers. It looks fabulous — wish I lived close enough to attend.

This is short notice; you can download an application at the web site, and get more information. The fees benefit the Library.

Speakers and their talks:

Peter Baistow: “From flong to film and beyond”
Simon Esterson: “The rise and fall of the colour magazine”
John Belknap: “Could ugly be beautiful?”
Alan Rusbridger: “The shrinking broadsheet”
Mark Porter: “Why does a newspaper look like it does?”
Paul Barnes: “The story of the new Guardian typeface”
Nico Macdonald: “Design: the neglected discipline online”

donmcc · 05-12-2006, 11:41 AM

Some of those look really good. I wish it was in the little London, not the big one.

But I'm not sure I want to go to
Could ugly be beautiful?

We all get excited about beautiful newspaper design. But in the global market, does ugly sell better? A look at what kind of beauty really matters.

ktinkel · 05-12-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donmcc

But I'm not sure I want to go to
Could ugly be beautiful?

We all get excited about beautiful newspaper design. But in the global market, does ugly sell better? A look at what kind of beauty really matters.

I think there is a valid point in that question. Direct mail people claim to have proven that some ugly elements work better than well-designed and attractive ones — they get more orders, which is of course the objective.

Since I really don’t know how they have “proved” it (or if they really have), I don’t know. My preference is always for good design, but to a shoemaker there’s nothing like leather!

They are happy with a 1 to 2% return; maybe they could get 3 of 4% if they cleaned up their stuff. Who knows?

donmcc · 05-15-2006, 05:27 AM

It is like the "reverse the type" crowd. They feel that a reversed type will be noticed more. I ask them if they want people to notice the ad, or to read it, and point out that studies show it is easier to read normal type compared to reversed.

05-12-2006, 10:43 AM	#1
ktinkel Founding Sysop Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In Connecticut, on the Housatonic River near its mouth at Long Island Sound. Posts: 11,187	Newspaper design day in London On Friday, May 19, the St Bride Library will hold a one-day conference on the history and design of newspapers. It looks fabulous — wish I lived close enough to attend. This is short notice; you can download an application at the web site, and get more information. The fees benefit the Library. Speakers and their talks: Peter Baistow: “From flong to film and beyond” Simon Esterson: “The rise and fall of the colour magazine” John Belknap: “Could ugly be beautiful?” Alan Rusbridger: “The shrinking broadsheet” Mark Porter: “Why does a newspaper look like it does?” Paul Barnes: “The story of the new Guardian typeface” Nico Macdonald: “Design: the neglected discipline online” __________________ [SIZE=2][COLOR=LemonChiffon]::[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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05-12-2006, 11:41 AM	#2
donmcc Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sarnia, Canada Posts: 1,122	Some of those look really good. I wish it was in the little London, not the big one. But I'm not sure I want to go to *Could ugly be beautiful?* We all get excited about beautiful newspaper design. But in the global market, does ugly sell better? A look at what kind of beauty really matters.

05-15-2006, 05:27 AM	#4
donmcc Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sarnia, Canada Posts: 1,122	It is like the "reverse the type" crowd. They feel that a reversed type will be noticed more. I ask them if they want people to notice the ad, or to read it, and point out that studies show it is easier to read normal type compared to reversed.