:: Category 09: Newspaper/Newsmagazine Layout ::
This is an on-site competition using the hardware and software of the host school. The rules and instructions below have been adapted from the newsmagazine layout competition at the JEA national convention.
Year: 2011
Host School: Auburn Mountainview High School
Hardware: Dell PCs (to be confirmed)
Software: InDesign CS4, PhotoShop CS4, Illustrator CS4 (to be confirmed)
ASSIGNMENT/RULES:
- In black-and-white (no color), using any grid or column plan you like, design EITHER one inside newspaper page, OR a double-page newsmagazine centerspread. A newspaper page layout should measure 11×17 inches. A newsmagazine centerspread layout should consist of two 8.5 x11 inch pages, or two 11×13 inch pages.
- You will be given a folder on the network containing images, stories, and information. You may use only the images and information provided, plus any images that you can create entirely on your own during the competition. The use of any other images or information taken from the Internet or any other source may be grounds for disqualification. This means:
- You may use the computer to create illustrations, infographics, pull-quotes, etc. as long as they are entirely your own creation and use information that was provided to all contestants.
- You may use the computer to alter/combine the images you are given. If you alter the images, you should know the point at which they should be labeled as an “illustration,” a “montage,” or other such descriptors.
- You do not need to use all of the images, stories, and information provided.
- You may cut the stories that you are given, but you may not add to them.
- For any other situations that may arise, get clarification from the contest moderator, or use your best judgment given the spirit of the competition.
- You should create all appropriate design elements, including folios, photo credits, headlines, bylines, captions, etc. Do not write “dummy” text for these elements (such as “headline goes here,” or “this is a photo credit,” etc.) but you may use fictional names and information where necessary.
- You must print your final layout when the moderator says time is up, regardless of whether you are finished or not. Incomplete entries will still be judged.
- If your page size is any larger than 8.5×11 inches, you will need to “shrink to fit” when you print, so that your layout is reduced to fit on 8.5×11 inch paper. For the newsmagazine centerspread option, you may print each page separately. The contest moderator may explain how to “shrink to fit” for printing.
- Do not identify yourself or your real-life school on any of your pages. You will be given a fictional school name, publication name, etc. along with the stories and images. Write your contestant number on the backs of all pages and paper clip them together.
WHAT THE JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR:
Clean layout; evidence of ability to distinguish importance of stories and photos and to position them accordingly; a focal point; effective folio with full information; copy, headlines, captions and photos placed effectively; proper cropping and scaling of photos; usage of appropriate headline sizes; consistent use of styles throughout; creative graphics.
