Charles Apple

If you work at a small newspaper, can you afford not to attend the Society for News Design’s Small-Paper Summit in Connecticut on May 31?

We’ll be meeting in the offices of the Republican-American newspaper in downtown Waterbury.

Our host for the day — Scott Griffin, design editor of the Republican-American — has been working his butt off to get the news out to folks who work at small papers and are seeking solutions for today’s challenges.

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THE SPEAKERS

We have an all-star cast for you — well, actually, an all-star cast plus yours truly. But what the hell.

More about us:

Bill Ostendorf, is president of Creative Circle Media Consulting which has redesigned more than 300 newspapers, magazines and web sites. He’ll be talking about the advantages of small papers and show how to make immediate improvements by rethinking how you use photos and typography. Find Creative Circle’s web site here.

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Vanessa Valdes is a features designer at the Concord (N.H.) Monitor. She’ll be discussing doing smart, effective work with few resources and things you can do with simple illustration techniques. Find her portfolio here.

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Darren Sanefski is assistant art director of the Syracuse, N.Y., Post-Standard. and an instructor at Syracuse University. Darren will talk about the simple-but-often-overlooked details that can make a small paper really sing: Architecture, grids, organization. Find his portfolio here.

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Charles Apple is a graphic artist at The Virginian-Pilot and your not-so-humble blogger who sometimes lapses into writing in the third person. He’s presenting a segment of his traveling “Art of Being Brilliant” show to prove that small papers can, too, do brilliant work. It’s not always about the resources, it’s about the content and how clever you are in presenting it. Find his portfolio here.

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THE ISSUES

We asked our panel to answer a few questions…

Q: Is there any hope for newspapers? Should I be looking for another job instead of attending the quick course?

Ostendorf: I think there is hope and especially at smaller papers. And the world will always need artists, photographers, designers and editors. And keep in mind that while you might be working for a newspaper company in ten years, you might not be working on the main print edition. Perhaps you’ll be managing a web portal or a niche magazine. I think it’s more likely you will be working in a smaller team targeting specific audiences or outlets. But, hey, that could be better than working in that big old newsroom!

Valdes: Without question, there is hope — there will always be a need for local news, for reporters, for effective design. However, we have to be open to the idea that newspapers may not exist in their current incarnation forever, and we need to consider how we can best adapt the mode of delivery to suit readers’ changing needs. You can’t fight the internet, people.

I won’t lie and say the process won’t be tumultuous and occasionally scary, but as long as the structure is in place to support change, we should see it as a challenge, not as a negative.

You should obviously be attending the quick course — you’ll be in the company of others who are interested in discussing solutions to our problems and celebrating the things we do have going for us. If you want to find a non-newspaper job afterward, go for it.

Sanefski: Yes, Yes, Yes! When television started to get popular in the late 40’s early 50’s there were people who where predicting the death of radio. Well, 70 years later, radio is still here and going strong.

Also, with the change of telecommunication laws, newspapers can be the hub of information while spreading its vast reach into other media.

Apple: Newspapers have been here a long time. They will be here a while longer.

But — and here’s the important part — only if we continue to evolve and grow. And how better to do that than to come to the Small-Paper Summit in Waterbury? You just might learn sumpthin’.

And if you are looking for another job — come on, anyway. Where else will you find this great an opportunity to network?

Q: What is one advantage small papers have over large papers?

Ostendorf: Smaller papers are just closer to their audiences and more about local news, as opposed to national and international news that has become a commodity. Smaller papers also CAN move faster and be more innovative (they don’t always but they CAN). Most of the really interesting innovations on the web started or are more common at smaller papers, for example.

Valdes: We have a strong bond, both with the community we serve and within the newsroom itself. The staff is well-informed about local happenings, and the environment is familial and supportive. The editors applaud efforts to try new things, even if they sometimes fall flat.

The other perk is the lack of bureaucracy. That’s not to say you have no supervision, but day to day, what you put in the paper typically goes in as is. There just aren’t that many levels of editors and
sub-editors.

Sanefski: Often times small newspapers take bigger risks, which can in turn lend itself to new and innovative design.

Apple: The same advantage small cars have over minivans: They require fewer resources, get better mileage and can change direction more easily. And they’re a hell of a lot more fun to drive.

I’ve worked at big papers and small. Give me a small paper with a great sound system and a sun roof any day.

Q: What is the most important thing folks will take away from your session?

Ostendorf: I promise to make sure you will go home with a handful of things you can do better tomorrow. I promise it will be fun and that I’ll give you some info that will stick with you and change the way you behave in your newsroom. And I promise to hang around and be accessible and answer questions.

Valdes: That you can make something great with few resources, and that the smartest thing you can do is be in tune with the interests of your community.

Sanefski: Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspiration!

When I began teaching design at the university level I found great inspiration in design theory, grids and typography. These are aspects that can dramatically improve your design, yet cost very little. No matter the size of the publication, good design is imperative to the overall accessibility of the information.

Apple: It ain’t the size of your paper that counts; it’s the size of your brain. We’ll show you how to think big, how to plan big and how to work big.

We’ll inform, entertain and inspire you, then turn you loose so you can go home and kick some ass Monday.

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THE VENUE

We’ll be meeting in the home of the Republican-American newspaper in downtown Waterbury.

How do I get there? Scott says:

If you’re westbound on I-84, it’s Exit 21. We’re in the old train station. Just look for our gigantic clock tower on the north (right) side of the highway. It’s about 100 yards away.

Where do I park? Park for free in the newspaper lot.

View Larger Map

What time will we start? 9:30 a.m. sharp. Make sure you bring a couple of pages to show — we’ll finish the day with a big critique session.

What about lunch? Sure, you can buy mine!

Seriously, Scott’s still working on the details, but it looks like we may have a sponsor for lunch. If that doesn’t work out, there is an eatery nearby.

Can I bring recruiting flyers, note pads, ink pens or bundles of my paper? Absolutely! Scott says he’ll have a schwag table for flyers, resumes, pens, papers, photos of children, spare children, etc.

I’ll need to stay overnight. Can you recommend a hotel? Done.

What else is there to do in Waterbury? If you’ll be in town Saturday night, Air Supply is in concert at the Palace Theater, just a few blocks away. Tickets are $40, $50 and $60.

Scott also suggests:

If people are staying at the Marriott, within a short walking distance there are two nice bar/restaurants: Diorio’s (slightly upscale/Italian) and Vintage. And there’s the Crossroads Cantina, which is probably louder and more fun than the other places. Plus, you can sit on a saddle at the bar.

You can find all these, by the way, in the Google map, above. Restaurants and entertainment locations are the purple dots.

Another option is New Haven (home of Yale and the hamburger), which is much hipper and happening than Waterbury, with tons of dining or drinking opportunities.

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TO REGISTER

The cost of your all-day session:

Society members: $95
Non members: $150
Student and faculty members: $50
Student and faculty non-members: $75

Register here. And do it now. Don’ t wait any longer!

If you decide at the last minute to attend, come on down anyway. SND will charge you the same prices quoted here, even if you didn’t register in advance.

More questions? Ask Scott Griffin — his e-mail is on that same page. And you know how to contact me.

We’ll look forward to seeing you on the 31st!

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