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Communication with newspapers launching into the Design Houses in June has begun, and the first demolition work started in Rockford.
Overall:
Design House Directors Conor Plunkett and Jennie Broecker held their first conference calls and webinars with newspapers coming on board in June: On these calls, directors provide an overview of the launch process, local newspaper/Design House roles, communication, training and copy flow expectations. A significant amount of time is spent on what newspapers will look like as they redesign: not just fonts but what goes where on pages and page by page.
Design Director Joe Greco and Design House Managers Ray Johnson and Matt Torman worked for three days in Downers Grove with a Saxotech trainer to set up formats and layout geometries: the foundation for all pages. We all will be learning a new vocabulary as we use this new content management system. Think of formats as styles or stylesheets, and think of layout geometries as template pieces that get filled easily on pages.
The Design House/Saxotech launch team is meeting through Friday in Framingham to finalize Saxotech setup, systems and practices and to prepare for field training.
Framingham:
The former circulation area, which is making room for advertising, is taking shape and awaits new carpeting and a coat of paint.
A new front door and window were recently installed at the entrance.
Interviewing and hiring continues. Resumes have been flowing in at a good clip, with many qualified applicants.
As mentioned before, the launch team of GateHouse staffers is flying in from Illinois to spend the week in the Framingham conference room.
Rockford:
An exciting milestone: The first demolition work began April 18 on the second floor of the News Tower, the future home of the Design House. Ceiling tiles came down in a matter of hours to make way for wiring, new tiles and lights. Desks were removed from the room April 23. So the room is almost a clean slate for new work to begin. See our gallery on Facebook! (And don't forget to "like" Design House there.)
Interviews continue at a steady pace, and offers for summer hires are under way.
Do you have dazzling design skills and an excellent eye for copy editing? If so, we need you. Join our Design House team, which will be setting up shop in Rockford, Ill., and Framingham, Mass., this year. Click here to apply.
