5 things to read and see
This week, check out some incredible graphics from The New York Times accompanying their article on Uber and some pages on March Madness and great foodie finds.
1. Free press? State hits tiny paper with pricey lawsuit after it seeks public records
This may not be a strictly design-focused article, but it is an interesting look into problems journalists are currently facing. A very small weekly newspaper in Oregon is at risk after getting slammed by a lawsuit while investigating a local homicide. It’s a fascinating case that brings to light the problems that journalists face when they go up against a very well-funded state or federal government just to tell the news.
2. On hearts, likes and sharing your work on social media
While I don’t share a ton of my own work on social media, I love seeing other people’s posters, page layouts, class projects and more all over my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feed. I never thought about this as a way for people to see the development and changes in your work over time, as well as offer feedback and advice. In these ways, using social media to share your own work can add a very personal touch. Nothing anyone makes comes out perfect on the first try. It’s always nice to remind other people of that too.
3. Archicine Poster Series by Federico Babina
If you love architecture, then you will love this poster series. Federico Babina, an illustrator and architect, created movie posters that focus on the iconic buildings and homes from famous movies, including “Rear Window,” “The Incredibles” and “Star Wars.”
4. I’m With Her
This article dives into how Hillary Clinton’s campaign logo was conceived, implemented and received during the presidential campaign. It’s a great look into the planning and strategy that went into her campaign, the hope and excitement her team had in her potential future as Madam President and the disappointing loss on election night and the months thereafter. It provides great insight into the intersection of design and politics and is a fascinating read.
5. How Uber uses psychological tricks to push its drivers’ buttons
A very long, but very interesting read about how Uber motivates its drivers to work longer and for cheaper pay. What really caught my eye with this article was the incredible video game-inspired graphics that populate the page, detailing how different types of drivers on the road affects drivers’ hourly pay, the company’s total income and the minutes passengers are waiting. It even gives different options for people to toggle: you can change the number of drivers in a ride-share simulation or the difference between having many drivers on the road with no surge, or having just a few drivers on the road during a surge. This is a huge source of web design inspiration and an awesome example of what’s possible.
Page Designs
- Winning his trust | Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
A clean and bold front page for a serious topic. Making the picture black and white but using red as an accent color emphasizes its importance and immediately catches the eye.
2. Redemption | The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
A simple front page for a huge and exciting moment for UNC Chapel Hill. I love that they chose to focus on one picture that captures the excitement and thrill of winning. Adding in the final score and both schools’ logos makes it clear that the focus is the results of March Madness (in case you somehow didn’t know the championship game just happened).
3. Forming Fling | The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
I love how the picture chosen for the front page is one from years and years ago (and potentially from the very first Fling held at the University). Adding the pop of color with the pink triangle and a clean sans serif font makes it more modern and attractive to an audience of college students. I just wish the pink triangle didn’t cover up so much of the photo, because I think a less cluttered photo would have had a lot more impact.
4. Foodie Four | The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
Maybe it’s the inner foodie in me, but I love the idea of focusing on restaurants in the cities that were sending teams to the Final Four of March Madness. The illustrations are clean and simple, but tailoring each one to fit both the city and cuisine of the restaurant contributes to the page’s symmetry without making these sections exactly the same. Now I’ve got to go eat at Clinkerclagger the next time I make it out to Spokane.
5. Proving them wrong | The Daily Californian, University of California Berkeley
I really enjoy the navy background, and it must have really stood out against the white background of the rest of the paper. Using the gold accent color also plays off of the bottom picture, which ties the whole page together. While I enjoy the clean layout of the page, I wish that they would have included a picture of Davis in action, which would have given the page more movement.
If you think you have a well-designed page or a good read to share for the next roundup, email me at shays2@elon.edu
Students, did you know you can join the Society for News Design for as little as $5 a month?
