No matter the outcome, the front pages of the high-profile newspapers in Alabama after the Iron Bowl prove to be interesting for designers.
And with such a wild game this year, you’d think designers would have had a field day. Right?
Nah. With one notable exception, not so much.
Eleven of the leading newspapers in the state post their front pages each day to the Newseum’s website. A look this morning showed 10 yawner designs.
The Huntsville Times, however, is a different story.
Take a look:
OK, I will confess I’m not a big fan of format of the the headline. Using a ’1′ to start a headline is iffy at best, but that’s probably just a personal peeve.
But on to what’s right about the Iron Bowl package:
(1) Much as I dislike the ’1′, the headline and deck combine to tell the story in a succinct way.
(2) The left-to-right scoring summary at the top of the photo-based infographic is pure genius. It is a pointed, stark punctuation of the flow of the game.
(3) The use of color…another point of genius. Fading from crimson red for the first half when Alabama dominated to burnt orange in the second half when Auburn made its comeback, the color transition indicates the swing of momentum.
(4) Continuing with the transition theme, just three photos — all high impact — give the reader a quick visual of the turn of events.
(5) Instead of playing the game story on the front, the Times put a columnist out there who wrote about the historical significance of the game. Those who care already know the game story.
(6) Nice set of refers to additional inside coverage. And a plug for al.com where the Times and other Alabama papers posted a ton of stories and photos from the Iron Bowl.
And thanks to a friend, I have a hard copy of the H-T headed my way!
To see the rest of the Alabama front pages submitted to the Newseum, go here. The absence of creativity is stark.
(In case you missed my column about Bammers and Barners, still available here…and still applies.)
Comments
You mean Art Direction still matters?
BTW, I agree, it’s a “winning” cover page.
Yes sir, it still matters, though some newspapers apparently don’t think so.
When I looked at the other 10 papers, it was clear which one I would have picked up, given the choice.
(btw…I have a copy of it headed my way.)
I would normally agree about the numeral 1. But in this case, I think it works because 1 was the margin of victory.
Excellent point, Paul. I’d not considered that.
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