The art of the simple idea

The big publications have designers, art directors, and several categories of editors which mean the cover or front page is the combined work of many people with many skills -- but on the small publication this often comes down to one person, one often overworked person.

So how do you develop a great cover idea which is going to sell on the newsstands?

There's a lot of rubbish written about this, so I was pleased today to come across a short article of simple steps by an expert from one of the major publishing desgn agencies - Jennifer George-Palilonis with Garcia.

Jennifer is still writing about the steps for a two or three person group, but it would apply equally where it is just one.

For example: "choose a single, powerful image to represent one of the key points, and then let a strong headline and summary explain other important facets of the story."

She adds: "Describe the story in 10 words or less and write it down. One of the best editor’s I know once told me if you can’t do this, your story has no focus."

The article is called Simple solutions to effective art direction

It is also worth looking at the rest of this site. For example, there's a comment from industry guru Ron Reason on reporters and photographers: "If all your story needs is a head shot of an aspiring politician, please ask his press agent for a handout photo of the guy. You might buy back an hour for your staff photographer, which will be better used to cover breaking news that has a truly interesting visual angle to it."

Now that timewasting for a head shot is something I've seen time and time again on newspapers, large and small.