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.

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.