1. Express has actually been publishing since 2003. It’s unlike a lot of pubs I’ve worked at because it’s very established in its market. It’s also quite profitable for the Post.
2. It’s not extreme, but considering the large rise in the design and editorial workload, it certainly feels like we’re putting a lot more effort into it. If anyone knows me in terms of my design philosophy, I’m very much a throw-stuff-at-it-to-see-what-sticks kinda guy. (Hell, look at my blog.) Express isn’t that paper, nor does it desire to be that. It’s a newsy publication. It’s similar in approach, but completely different to, Red Eye or Link or TBT or any of the others. But it works. Why break that?

I’m largely with Charles in this regard.

Express works pretty well and it’s been wildly successful in the year or so it’s been in existence.

If you just scroll through these jpegs, then sure enough, you don’t see much of a change. But did you read Ernie’s commentary? Express is changing the way they package stories on page one — very important in a free youth/commuter tabloid. They’ve also changed the way they play visuals throughout the paper. They’ve added some features and punched up a few others.

Not earthshaking stuff. But nice changes. For a product that wasn’t exactly broken to begin with.

Sometimes, you’re ripping everything up, replacing engine parts and body work and spackling like crazy with bondo. And other times, you’re waxing and polishing and touching up a little here and there. This particular project was more of the latter.

If I were the art director, in fact, I’d hope that readers did NOT notice a big change in their paper. I’d hope that the product serves those readers better but that the reader wasn’t necessarily overwhelmed with change. I’d hope they get more entertainment/utility/value out of their paper now but perhaps don’t quite know why or even realize it.

Instead, I’d hope the reader notices this story or that story and finds themselves absorbed in those stories.

Because the BEST news design supports the content. Period.