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The Patriot Ledger's Dec. 10 front page with its Toy Stories centerpiece is the front page of the month for December 2011.
The colorful centerpiece takes visual cues from the children's board game Candyland. Click here to read what I wrote about the page after it was selected as the front page of the weekend.
The package includes many visuals and lots of information, all nicely presented in this fun illustration. This package, no doubt, took some planning and communication.
Here's what Chazy Dowaliby, editor of The Patriot Ledger, had to say about the project:
A collaborative effort among staff built out simple topic – “Hot toys” – into a fun holiday information package.
News Editor Dana Barbuto took on the project at City Editor Linda Shepherd’s request. She assigned a story, did some additional research to broaden the local report, compiled fun facts and provided elements that would allow for an A-1 reader-grabbing display as well as a full page inside “Ledgerland” report. (below)
We had originally planned to use a single photo as illustration for A-1, but the first photo shoot came in weak so we sent a photographer out a second time for the local Ledgerland page and decided to try for a graphic illustration for A-1.
Shepherd hit on the “quiz” concept, and working with Copy Desk Chief and Visuals Editor Jen Wagner, culled lists down from 10 items to five.
Graphics intern Erica Bonkowski was given the package mid-week for a Saturday paper. She came up with the game board concept. The editors tweaked it. And it all came together as an interactive print display.
Meanwhile, the second photo shoot worked very nicely for Ledgerland display (also attached).
You really never know what sparks the creative process – but turning problems into opportunities can result in winning presentations.
Thanks, Chazy. It's always nice to hear about how information and visuals come together behind the scenes.
Joe Greco is corporate design director for GateHouse Media.
Contact him at jgreco@gatehousemedia.com.
Missed front page of the day? Find the archive here.
