garciamedia

Jul. 1st Words: Engines to good design

TAKEAWAY: Pure Design segment 2 today: The importance of words to the visual journalist

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 30th Today: Pure Design the book starts publishing here

TAKEAWAY: It has been one of my most popular books, perhaps because it follows the storytelling techniques that readers prefer: short, “fable inspired” bits of information about our craft.  So today we begin publishing Pure Design on the blog.  In addition, we will update entries that were originally written in 2002 to add today’s updates and enhancements. ALSO: End of the vertical flag for the venerable Hartford Courant

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 30th Michael Jackson: the magazine covers

TAKEAWAY: Now the weekly magazines worldwide begin to pay tribute to the king of pop. ALSO: Pure Design appears on the blog starting tomorrow.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 29th Behold the bar code, and find a place for it

TAKEAWAY: It is the 35th birthday of that little zebra-inspired element called the bar code. Reason to celebrate? PLUS: Pure Design comes to the blog July 1 AND: Newspaper tributes to the king of pop, Michael Jackson. ALSO: Berlin postcard

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 28th Sunday updates: More Michael Jackson tribute pages

TAKEAWAY: We continue to show you pages of newspapers from around the world that pay tribute to the king of pop, Michael Jackson. Send us yours!

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 27th More Michael Jackson front page tributes

TAKEAWAY: We will continue to update the blog during the weekend showing the pages you are sending us with tributes to Michael Jackson.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 25th Farrah: now you are, indeed, a real angel; Michael, you thrilled us

TAKEAWAY: Her poster was a lesson to all of those in visual journalism: how to convey it all through an image.  Farrah Fawcett has died, but she will always be the ultimate icon of her generation. ALSO: With the sad news of Michael Jackson’s death, a few hours after Farrah Fawcett’s, the world loses its biggest pop icon ever.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 24th Suddenly, it was 1961 again

TAKEAWAY: The world wide web is famous for providing a huge basket of surprises at every click and scroll. So, what a wonderful surprise it was for me to find a website that offers a vast collection of Cuban films,  including one in which I participated as a child actor.  Forty-eight years later I get to see it.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 23rd The Power of Less was never more powerful

TAKEAWAY: A new book discusses the importance of simplicity in everything, from selling us a camera, an idea or a public policy. ALSO: Me afraid of flying? Not really, except on this Airbus 330.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 22nd Pure Design coming to the blog next week

TAKEAWAY: While my 2002 book Pure Design is virtually out of print, we will be bringing you the short “fable-inspired” entries, offering solutions for magazines, books, newspapers and websites.It is all about the basics of visual journalism. Starting here July 1.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 21st Happy Father’s Day

TAKEAWAY: We pause this Sunday to wish all the fathers out there a very special and happy day.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 18th Newspapers on the couch

TAKEAWAY: Some of my TweetsByDesign this week dealt with the subject of newspapers visiting a psychiatrist. You asked for more. ALSO: Starting July 1, we publish Pure Design book entries here. PLUS: The new iPhone 3G S is out today.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 17th For France’s La Tribune:  Prize for Best Remaking

TAKEAWAY: La Tribune, one of France’s financial dailies, has received recognition during the 11th annual Grand Prix des Medias organized by CB News as the best remake of the year.  We were involved in the transformation of La Tribune from a tabloid to Berliner and send our congratulations.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 16th From the Daily Me to the Daily Perfect

TAKEAWAY: Can anyone create the perfect newspaper? It has been tried for years, usually under the project title: the newspaper of the future. Now, a website goes for the ultimate customized newspaper, yes, yours. Give it a try. To me, the “daily perfect” is more than a customized version of what interests me. Indeed, daily perfect to me is a combination of serendipitous encounters with depth and analysis of what I already know.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 15th The beach of my disconnect

TAKEAWAY: After one week off, TheMarioBlog resumes its daily postings today.  Call it a week of disconnects, something rare for me. Was it strange? Read on.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 5th TheMarioBlog takes a vacation: see you June 15th

TAKEAWAY: It is that time of the year when i take my first beach vacation. TheMarioBlog will resume its daily postings Monday, June 15. Until then, good weekend to all, and see you soon. PLUS: Links to your favorite bllog postings of the past 12 months, and comments you have sent us for the first year anniversary of TheMarioBlog

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 4th New look for Newsday: with smaller format

TAKEAWAY: In 2004, we at Garcia Media worked with the Newsday team to give that Long Island, New York, newspaper what I described as
a “full bath”.  Five years later, working with their art director, Newsday editors Monday introduced a new look, and a new format. PLUS:  Reporting from the Mediamixx 09 Congress in Bulgaria ANDTheMarioBlog celebrates first year anniversary. Send us your thoughts.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 3rd At Ball State: the collaborative media classroom

TAKEAWAY: This is the eighth in a series of blogs devoted to innovation in the teaching of journalism at colleges and universities around the world. Today we profile Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana, and talk to Professor Jennifer George-Palilonis, whose specialty is teaching courses with a multimedia emphasis.  ALSO: Media coverage of the crash of Air France flight 447

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 2nd The Air France disaster and use of multimedia coverage online

TAKEAWAY: Last week in Paris we participated in the IFRA Design Conference and met Geoff McGhee, of Le Monde Interactive. Today many of the examples that he talked about in his presentation come alive as http://www.lemonde.fr covers the crash of Air France flight 447 in the Atlantic Ocean while en route from Rio to Paris.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 2nd Preparing to celebrate one year of TheMarioBlog: tell us what you think

TAKEAWAY: Almost one year after we started TheMarioBlog, we are still here. Let us know what you think. ALSO: Taking a look at the design of the Daily Business Review six weeks after it premiered.  PLUS: New design for Newsweek magazine—is it retro confused? What were the intentions?

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Jun. 1st Miami Daily Business Review—six weeks after redesign; also Newsweek’s “retro-confused” new look

TAKEAWAY: Monday in Miami and we take a look at the design of the Daily Business Review six weeks after it premiered.  ALSO: New design for Newsweek magazine—is it retro confused? What were the intentions.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 30th Newsweek’s reinvention: retro confused?

TAKEAWAY: The legendary newsmagazine, Newsweek, unveiled its much anticipated new look May 18. This may be an example of how design can strip a familiar magazine of its soul.  We look before we read. In this case, when we look, what we find is something that resembles a prolonged advertorial. ALSO: Links to weekend reading of interest

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 29th IFRA design in Paris: digital highlights conference

TAKEAWAY: The 2nd annual IFRA International Design Conference took place in Paris yesterday; highlights of the program included designing for online, creating infographics for the new media, and reminding art directors that storytelling strategies are what ‘s important. ALSO: Text messaging and teens: the three r’s—reading,‘ riting, rebelling PLUS: Plato not Prozac; therapy for the sane

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 28th At Syracuse: collaborative teams and the Newhouse School: also report from Paris IFRA conference

TAKEAWAY: This is the seventh in a series of blog postings about journalism schools worldwide which are modifying their curriculum to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry. Today we profile Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications ALSO:From Paris today: updates on IFRA’s 2nd international conference—Design for the news and magazines publishing industry.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 24th At Northwestern:  teaching how to think and to use online platforms

TAKEAWAY: This is the sixth in a series of blog postings about journalism schools worldwide which are modifying their curriculum to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry. Today we profile Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism ALSO: University of Miami PLUS: Mario on a camel in Dubai COMING NEXT: Tony Golden tells us about innovation at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 22nd University of Tennessee: innovation here inspires others

TAKEAWAY: This is the fIfth in a series of blog postings about journalism schools worldwide which are modifying their curriculum to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry. Today we profile University of Tennessee’s School of Journalism and Electronic Media.  COMING MONDAY:  Jeremy Gilbert tells us about innovation at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 21st At Hofstra University: thinking new, thinking big in a small journalism department

TAKEAWAY: This is the fourth in a series of blog postings about journalism schools worldwide which are modifying their curriculum to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry. Today we profile Hofstra University of New York.  ALSO: Forbes India appears today. COMING TOMORROW: We profile innovation at the University of Tennessee

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 20th Developing the ability to think multi-media

TAKEAWAY: This is the third in a series of blog postings about journalism schools worldwide which are modifying their curriculum to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry. Today we profile Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  We will update this posting throughout the day.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 19th Journalism education innovators: In Chile, “learning by doing”

TAKEAWAY: This is the second in a series of blog postings about journalism schools worldwide which are modifying their curriculum to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry. Today we profile UC (Universidad Catolica) of Chile.  We will update this posting throughout the day.  ALSO TODAY: Gannett and iPhone: a good fit PLUS: Indian newspapers rate high with their readers

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 18th Journalism education innovators: MA in Online Journalism

TAKEAWAY: This is the first in a series of occasional blog postings about the subject of innovation in the curriculum of journalism schools across the world.  I posed the question last week: what are J-schools doing to train the next generation of journalists about storytelling in a multi platform world. Today, we present a new MA in Online Journalism program at Birmingham City University in the UK. ALSO: A special Sunday edition of MINT in India for election coverage.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 17th I, too, was one of the Pedro Pans

TAKEAWAY: The Miami Herald is sponsoring Operation Pedro Pan Database which lists 14,048 names of unaccompanied children between 6 and 17 who arrived alone in the U.S. between 1960 and 1962. Parents were getting their children out of Cuba, fearing communist indoctrination spreading in private and public schools. I know the story. I am one of those on the list.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 16th J-schools and storytelling in a multi-platform media world: who is doing it right?

TAKEAWAY: As usual will be updating this blog during the weekend. However, this is an open call to educators and students for information about how J-schools adapt their curriculum to serve the needs of an industry in transition. Waiting to hear from you.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 15th Friday notes: highlights of the WAN Report

TAKEAWAY: It is full of information that should prove interesting and valuable to publishers worldwide, the new PricewaterhouseCoopers/WAN report reminds us of the power of a newspaper’s brand and leads us to pay attention to digital strategies. Yes, readers are willing to pay for online content.  ALSO: Advertising coming back?AND:  Why stitch your newspaper

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 14th At The New York Times: Experimental Lab and Storytelling

TAKEAWAY: One of the fascinating aspects of living in times of transition for any industry is the level of experimentation that takes place.  For us in the media, this is perhaps one of the most highly active periods I can recall for looking at what we do and how we will do it in the near future.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 12th Print may be eternal—-but invest on digital strategies

TAKEAWAY: A recent study completed by the Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC), along with the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), reassures us that there is a future—-and even a bright one—-for publishers who are willing to push digital to the front of their priorities. Nothing that we have not recommended through this blog repeatedly, but this study reaffirms the notion.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 11th Those smartphones and newspapers: great potential exists

TAKEAWAY: With the iPhone leading the way, smartphones use and influence are increasing fast. Newspapers see the tremendous possibilities that the smartphones offer and are quick to get smart and focus on apps that can help them get their information to this new medium.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 11th The tyranny of the focus groups

TAKEAWAY: Don’t take me wrong, I attach some value to focus groups and the information they provide us; however, I am also aware of what I call the tyranny of the focus groups and the seriousness with which they are taken.  It is true: sometimes consumers don’t know what they like.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 10th Sunday readings: And now the newspaper as dress

TAKEAWAY: Oh, the lure and fascination with the printed newspaper! It doesn’t go away, even when printed newspapers seem to be having a tough time conquering new readers.
Now, the newspaper dress is here.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 8th Finger reading: the importance of tables, secondary boxes, etc.

TAKEAWAY:  Don’t let the size of the so-called agate type (6 points or smaller) fool you. When it comes to heavy traffic and high visibility, the content that is usually set in small type plays an important role. I label it “finger reading”.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 7th The craft: the importance of volume on a page or screen

TAKEAWAY: In design, we all apply volume to how we present a page. Knowing how much volume to apply is a key to the overall look and feel of the pages/screens we design.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 6th Advertising display and experimentation

TAKEAWAY: We are beginning to see more U.S. newspapers consider experimentation with the way they display advertising. PLUS: Divorce, Italian style: Il Secolo XIX covers the Berlusconi divorce

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 4th Monday musings: online first, but print surprises

TAKEAWAY: A new week starts today, and I am still thinking of the things we learned last week, the ideas we tossed around, and what meaning they might have for others.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

May. 1st These are a few of my favorite fonts from 2008

TAKEAWAY: It’s weekend, and what better time to review Typographica’s favorite fonts of 2008, from which I highlight three as my own favorites. Take a look and see for yourselves.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 29th Editors always need that extra push: then they come around

TAKEAWAY: These are not easy times for traditional newspaper editors. They read the obituaries of newspapers they respect and hold dear to their hearts. In many instances, newspapers they worked or trained with.  In addition, they must face up to the reality that online editions assume an important role in the quest for survival.  At first, editors seem reluctant to accept change, but experience tells us that they usually come around.

2 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 28th Bryan Monroe leaves Ebony/Jet

TAKEAWAY: Bryan Monroe is one of the most talented journalists of his generation. After three years with Ebony/Jet he is ready for “greener pastures”. ALSO: Obama’s first 100 days and the press. AND: European Newspaper Congress follow ups EXTRA: More about Luxemburg’s L’Essentiel’s marketing campaign.

2 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 26th Austria’s Wirtschafts Blatt—success with online/print rethinking

TAKEAWAY: Today I am participating in the European Newspaper Congress, in Vienna: our presentation is devoted to how the financial daily of Austria, Wirtschafts Blatt, made a smooth and successful transition to unite its print/online operations, and redefine how news is covered in the process. Updates throughout the day today from Vienna.

2 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 25th Newspaper archives : hidden treasures and fun memories

TAKEAWAY: It is no secret, newspaper libraries everywhere hold relevant historical material. Sometimes it takes an editor with the passion of a detective to dig it out. Such is the case at Il Secolo XIX of Genoa, Italy, which helps celebrate Liberation Day for Italy today with a magnificent special section——fresh out of the archives. PLUS: Weekend sequels and Mario’s TweetsByDesign recollections

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 24th Hello, Gutenberg!  Is Blackletter the new Black?

TAKEAWAY: It’s all over the New York Times Style magazine, beginning with the T on the cover: Blackletter, or Old English, or Fraktur, whatever you call those classic, elegant letters, seem to be at the ready for many designers these days.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 22nd Twitter, newspapers and news: autobiographical glimpses

TAKEAWAY: To Twitter or not to Twitter: that should no longer be the question.  Especially for media people, there are tons to learn from this fabulously popular free social networking site that allows users to send messages up to 140 characters on real time. Another marvelous storytelling tool is here. For media people not to use it is to miss out on an opportunity to enhance the products they publish. PLUS: Mario starts TweetsByDesign today

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 22nd Earth Day: thinking green

TAKEAWAY: A good day to stop and think recycling, using the car less, and, if in the media, what are we doing to cover this most important story of our times? ALSO: IFRA sponsors newspaper/magazine design seminar in Paris, Mary 28. AND: Did Luxemburg free newspaper go too far with its new marketing campaign?

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 19th The Media in a new Cuba: Planning ahead

TAKEAWAY: So it seems that Obama and Raul Castro may engage in conversations leading to the start of a thaw—-the first in decades——between Cuba and the United States. What would be the media landscape in a freer Cuba? Which media model is likely to be adopted——Chinese, Russian, American, Spanish?  One thing is for sure: as a Cuban American, I have never been more excited about the prospects. As a visual storyteller, I can only imagine them.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 18th The new look of France’s L’Equipe Mag

TAKEAWAY: It took five months, three workshops with editors and designers, and a whole lot of planning and designing of pages. But today, the new L’Equipe Mag is out and everyone proud of the effort, including all of us at Garcia Media.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 17th Ten tips to make the “online edition only” a winner

TAKEAWAY: It is a reality of our times. As some newspapers stop printed editions, online editions carry the banner, extend and perpetuate the brand, and provide the much needed local information that towns without a newspaper must have.  We need to put efforts in creating the ultimate online only edition. Here are ten tips to get you started.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 16th In Chile: new look for El Mercurio de Antofagasta

TAKEAWAY: The tabloid-format El Mercurio of Antofagasta is a 102-year-old daily newspaper in Antofagasta, a port city in northern Chile, about 700 miles north of Santiago. The city has a population of 350,000 , and the design was carried out by Javier Devilat, a Chilean designer based in Santiago.  How the major metropolitan dailies can get some lessons from the more successful regional newspapers.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 15th For German daily: Page One controversy over image

TAKEAWAY: It was probably nothing more than an effort to have “some fun” on Page One for the editors of the German daily, Die Tageszeitung..  But Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann did not think it was too funny and is taking legal action against the Tageszeitung after it printed an image of him being crucified on the front page of its Easter edition, the paper said on Tuesday. ALSO TODAY: Sequel to the nonmodular approach to Page One design

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 14th Modular vs. non-modular design: the conversation continues

TAKEAWAY: Today we post another craft-oriented blog, this time about a question that popped up last week during discussions with one of the editors in a current project.  Should a newspaper follow a totally modular design?

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 13th Many newspaper editors need a splash into innovative pool

TAKEAWAY: The situation for newspapers varies depending on what part of the world one sits.  Editors, however, do not differ much from one place to the next.  Are some editors learning from the lessons of their American counterparts?

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 11th Weekend Sequels: A photo show in Chicago, Italian dailies cover the earthquake

TAKEAWAY: Follow ups to some of our blogs of the week, including the Ron Reason solo photo exhibit in Chicago and Weekend Thoughts

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 10th Italian earthquake coverage: final report for Friday

TAKEAWAY: For the past three days, we have posted blogs with images of how Italian newspapers, and, particularly, Il Secolo XIX, of Genoa, has presented photos, info graphics and news of the devastating earthquake. Today we conclude the series with the pages for this Friday’s editions of Il Secolo.  ALSO: Ron Reason’s solo photo show , Time to Get Lovely, opens today in Chicago. PLUS: The new Yale University student blog, CrossCampus

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 8th How Italian dailies cover the earthquake

TAKEAWAY: As rescuers continue to search for survivors under buildings destroyed by a devastating earthquake in L’Aquila region,  which killed at least 207 people and has left 1500 injured and 17000 homeless, Italian newspapers flex their muscles to bring readers breaking news, graphics and photos of this, the worst earthquake to hit Italy in more than 30 years. We show you some, with emphasis on Il Secolo XIX of Genoa.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 7th Paris Match: Magazine of the Year Awards 2009

TAKEAWAY: The so called Oscars of the French magazine world, the SPMI Awards are in, and Paris Match wins big. Read on.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 6th Hit the reset button: the newspaper discussion shifts from design to survival

TAKEAWAY: It is obvious. It is noticeable. It is reality. For the past few months, as I attend conferences around the world, I see that editors and publishers—and even designers—are more interested in discussing strategies to change how they conduct business than in the nitty gritty of design per se. PLUS: In Goteborg, Sweden, the Goteborgs Posten launches a newly rethought Sunday edition. ALSO: Bar codes and newspapers, the debate continues.

2 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 5th Oh, it is Sunday and Germany’s Bild Zeitung does its razzle-dazzle!

TAKEAWAY: Spring kisses and other surprises in today’s Bild Zeitung. PLUS: This is the last of my reports from Bucharest, Romania, where I have spent part of last week conducting seminars for edttors, publishers and designers, sponsored by the Media Management Institute and the US Embassy in Romania. PLUS: Weeekend Reading and an updated bibliography about Blogs and Blogging.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 5th Bar codes and the multimedia newspaper of the future: a Romanian’s view

TAKEAWAY: this is the last of my reports from Bucharest, Romania, where I have spent part of last week conducting seminars for edttors, publishers and designers, sponsored by the Media Management Institute and the US Embassy in Romania. PLUS: Weeekend Reading and an updated bibliography about Blogs and Blogging.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 4th For Romanian sports daily:  when “exclusive” advertising is an option

TAKEAWAY: Report from Bucharest 2—-Gazeta Sporturilor, the Romanian sports daily, often sells the entire edition of the newspaper to one advertising client, as we see in the examples here. ALSO: a review of Romanian newspapers, all about Blogs and Blogging, Weekend Notes

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 2nd Report from Bucharest, Part 2 : Newspapers at the crossroads, blogs thriving

TAKEAWAY: Participating in a Media Management Institute conference, my first in Romania, all about surviving the financial crisis. With about 12 daily newspapers published here,the industry had just adapted to the changes this country has undergone the past 20 years, only to face more changes now as a result of the global financial crisis. PLUS: Blogs and blogging in Romania. Tips on how to make your blog more interesting.

3 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Apr. 1st New classic look for International Herald Tribune

TAKAWAY: The International Herald Tribune, the global edition of The New York Times has undergone major design changes, including its logo. It is clean, easy to navigate and classic.  ALSO:  It is a sign of the bad economic times: the U.S. newspaper, once a colossally fat package of sections, advertising inserts and more, is now but a cadaverous version of itself on most days—-if it publishes.  Two large Florida metropolitan dailies provide the evidence.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 31st Detroit: big news but no Monday newspaper delivery

TAKEAWAY: It was a day of day for news in Detroit yesterday: The White House fired the chairman of General Motors, the Obama administration made it known that it wants Chrysler to join forces with Italian automaker Fiat, and Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team reached the Final Four, which will be held in Detroit.  One of those days editors dream about, except that in Detroit, there is no delivery of Monday newsappers.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 29th How the young perceive the design of websites: results of a doctoral thesis

TAKEAWAY: Ana Bernal Triviño has just received her doctorate from the Universidad de Malaga (Spain).  Her thesis is of great interest as she analyzed how young users react to design elements on websites, a subject rarely touched. More importantly, Ana’s research touched upon a frequent question of the day: why do the young tend to pick online reading as opposed to reading a printed product?

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 28th Next on Sunday, the new newspaper that raises journalistic bar in Nigeria

TAKEAWAY: It was born in January 2009, but Next on Sunday is already quickly establishing itself as the newspaper to beat, not only for its colorful look, but, more importantly, for the quality of its journalism, including investigative reports and exclusives. PLUS: MINT, the new financial daily of India turns 2, and, Weekend Reading Notes about iPhone apps, Kimble 2, and the future of newspapers.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 28th Tampa still a two-newspaper town: who is winning the race?

TAKEAWAY: We continue to update this blog during the weekend. Read about MINT, the financial daily of India turns 2 with much success; ALSO-Weekend Reading notes about the iPhone, Kindle 2 and the future of newspapers.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 26th MINT of India: two years later, evolution of a new financial daily, and its design

TAKEAWAY: As I concluded my week in Delhi, working with the Hindustantimes, I took pride each day to look at its sister publication, MINT, that dynamic financial daily that was launched Feb. 1, 2007. Two years later, it is a success in the market, and its design has evolved just as well. ALSO: At the National Press Club, in Washington DC, a cautiously optimistic forum on the future of our industry. PLUS: Weekend Reading Notes and observations—Esquire’s cover, the Kindle 2 and the future of books, more about the marvelous iPhone and more.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 24th More on iPhone applications and news

TAKEAWAY: Yesterday we devoted most of this blog to the iPhone and its potential to link up with news organizations, a win win situation for all.  We expand on it today, with new research and the iPhone from Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 23rd The iPhone and news: interesting prospects ahead

TAKEAWAY: The iPhone, that marvelous piece of equipment, inches closer to becoming an ally of the news business.  The unveiling of the new features of the iPhone are reason for optimism. Newspaper managers be on the lookout for opportunities.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 22nd Tips for a successful Sunday newspaper edition

TAKEAWAY: This is my first report from India, where I work this week, and it is based on my observations of the Sunday newspaper market here.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 19th Creating graphics and illustration for a long series

TAKEAWAY: One does not see it happen very often, but when it is done, the impact of a well thought out visual plan emerges vibrantly.  At the Gulf News of Dubai, the technique is used occasionally, with great results, as we see in the one we have chosen to show here. PLUS: Tyler Brulé invites me on his The Monocle Weekly radio show about the future of newspapers.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 19th New financial daily for the UAE: birth of Alrroya

TAKEAWAY: Yes, some dailies are disappearing, but others are born. Such is the case of the new financial daily published in the United Arab Emirates, Alrroya, a so called “multi-platform” publication launched March 15.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 17th In Seattle: The online-only P-I offers new possibilities

TAKEAWAY: It is a sad day when a newspaper disappears. Yesterday, the Today was the last printed edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Today, readers can find most of the information they are used to seeing on the printed pages of the P-I online, at http://www.seattlepi.com. I take a look too.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 15th The good news: we are reading more

TAKEAWAY: It is a good way to start the week, a sort of stimulus for the mood: we are reading more books, which translates into: as long as the art and enjoyment of reading are staying robust, then so will storytelling and the many platforms that dispense it.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 15th The Aretha Hat: huge, bold and bling bling—-what can we learn?

TAKEAWAY: It is over the top, it shines, and one cannot ignore it. It is a scene stealer and says: Look at me, look at me.  Lessons newspapers could learn from that monstrously popular hat that Aretha Franklin wore to President Obama’s Inaugural.

1 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 13th The Craft: how Da Vinci and Beckham can join forces on a magazine cover

TAKEAWAY: Often lately, as we wake up each morning to worsening news of how our industry is doing in the midst of the worst global economic crisis ever, we tend to forget what our real job is.  I just realized that this blog space has NOT dealt with craft-related issues for weeks, as our efforts (call it a mini campaign?) have been to discuss survival tips and possibilities for newspapers and publishing houses everywhere to carve themselves a little breathing room that will allow them to contniue operating. Today we change that with this posting.

0 comments Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia

Mar. 12th No best or worst cities: it is our memories that count

TAKEAWAY: Watching CNN yesterday, my ears perked up when the anchorman announced the list of the six worst cities in which to work in the world. Four of the six worst are frequent stops for me in my own work. Are these cities truly as bad as they are described? I review my memories, and, yes, I am going back to all of them soon. Cities are all about one’s own personal experience,and the memories.

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Mar. 11th From Paris: notes about the city that sleeps late; plus the ultimate wrap-around ad

TAKEAWAY: Wake up early in Paris and you see this magnificent city as it struggles to get up, but when it does, it shows vitality and energy; admiring today’s International Herald Tribune and its werap around advertisement.

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Mar. 10th President Obama : “I like the feel of a newspaper”

TAKEAWAY: We in the newspaper industry need all the marketing help we can get these days, so I was happy when I read this note about President Obama enjoying the experience of reading newspapers that he can touch. Maybe the Obama magic spreads to newspapers.

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Mar. 9th College dailies inspire journalistic careers: keep them going!

TAKEAWAY: College and university newspapers try hard to be like their professional counterparts; today, as the mainstream newspapers suffer from their worst economic fate ever, so do college dailies. With their advertising revenue down, so are the stipends and scholarships for student editors.  Potential journalism careers are in peril.

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Mar. 6th Weekend Sequels: On charging for online services, design awards and Facebook chic

TAKEAWAY: Many of our readers here prefer to send me emails as opposed to making comments right on the blog! I deal with some of them here during the Weekend Sequels.

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Mar. 4th Design shines in Gulf region: Gulf News, other dailies, grab 37 SND Awards

TAKEAWAY: It is the annual rite of awards to recognize design excellence in newspapers, and the UAE"s Gulf News, published in Dubai, received 10 awards in six categories.
They used a clever way to tell their readers about it. Noticeable also, how this region has become a mecca for good newspaper visual presentations, including page design, illustrations and infographics.

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Mar. 3rd Newspapers charging for online information: the tide begins to turn

TAKEAWAY: It is happening slowly, in a sort of silent way, one newspaper company keeping an eye on how another one proceeds into that slow dance that is a serious discussion of charging for information they provide online. 

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Mar. 3rd At Paris Match: a scoop is still part of the “routine”

TAKEAWAY: While many print editors have given up on the concept of exclusives or scoops, this is not so for Olivier Royant, editor in chief of the legendary French weekly magazine, Paris Match.This week he has done it again. ALSO: Avoid clutter when designing your news website.

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Mar. 2nd Cutting through the visual clutter: Does your homepage pass the test?

TAKEAWAY: Today in his Garcia Interactive blog, Mario Garcia Jr. discusses a timely, important topic: avoiding clutter in your website. Must read.

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Mar. 1st Facebook: Fido and I have six friends in common

TAKEAWAY: If, as some say, the world is divided between dog and cat personalities, then Facebook—-that ever popular phenomenon for social interaction in cyberspace—-is definitely a canine medium.

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Feb. 27th Morning discussions; death of a newspaper; charging for online; color palettes in the desert

TAKEAWAY: It is the weekend, and a good time for meditating about the things that kept us thinking and occupied this week. Read on.

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Feb. 25th Arabic script: the challenge for the designer

TAKEAWAY: Redesigning newspaper logos—the brand that readers everywhere come to recognize—-is always a challenge. When a non-Arabic speaking person is attempting it, the challenges are greater. The day that was.