Comments on: Atlanta Journal-Constitution lays off entire news graphics department

By: Cindy Jones-Hulfachor

Cindy Jones-Hulfachor — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:20:46 +0000

After decades of papers striving to be visual storytellers. Years of specialized training is thrown away. At some point management will see how their decision has impacted the depth of their paper. Hard to believe. I worked at the AJC from 1988 to 1991. It was an amazing staff with illustrators that could turn a centerpiece illustrators like taking a drink of water. The talent was amazing. A great place to work and learn. I’ve always wanted to go back and visit, but didn’t, now it is too late. I’m so sorry for the staff, those who were let go and those who strive on to try to make it work.

By: John Caserta

John Caserta — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:31:55 +0000

Going back to the editorial structure of 1890 will not save the news industry. With fond memories of Paige, stephen, vernon and walter — john 95-96

By: maryn

maryn — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:10:26 +0000

I was a reporter at the AJC from 1995-2006; many of the people who commented above were my colleagues, to whom I give great respect. The AJC had excellent artists and designers and very smart thinkers about how to tell stories in different ways. The paper has been making inexplicable decisions for a while now, but if they were ranked, this one would certainly be close to the top of the list. To say that you don’t need designers and artists in an age when online makes visual journalism more necessary, and offers so many opportunities to make it richer — gah, I’m the word person and I have no words for this.

By: Mark Childress

Mark Childress — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:19:18 +0000

The Art Department was full of wonderful people when I worked at the AJC (84-85). This current news is pathetic. How can they redesign a paper without an art department? Borrow one from another paper, I guess…. it is a sad day, week, year, decade for the dear old AJC, and I imagine Henry Grady is whirling, whirling in his grave.