Last Updated: October 18, 2000
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50-inch
web
Why Gannett favors a 7-column format on a 50-inch web
While most U.S. newspapers are reducing the number of columns on page
1 and section fronts as a part of the conversion to the 50-inch web, one
newspaper group is moving in the opposite direction.
High officials in the Gannett Co., owner of dozens of dailies, have
urged editors to adopt a seven-column format.
Many have questioned why. So, we asked Phil Currie, Gannett vice
president.
“We decided at least 3 years ago now to go to a 7-column format on the
majority of our newspapers,” he said. “The purpose was to increase story
count on the open pages (especially page 1) but not necessarily increase
the number of jumps. This format tends to allow an additional story above
the fold and also gives a bit more flexibility in picture sizing.”
Currie said nearly all Gannett papers are converting to this format,
except for a few exceptions, papers with long-standing traditional formats
(Florida Today, for example).
Nearly all designers disagree, insisting seven-column grids and the
50-inch web are not a good match. They require type to be set less
than 10 picas wide, disrupting proper hyphenation and justification.
Inconsistent inter-word and inter-letter spacing results.
In addition, a line of body type is so short that there is little or
no room for the eye to scan, pause or comprehend, and this leads to eye
fatigue, they say.
“It is true that some designers contend the columns get too narrow,
but we aren’t sold on that argument,” says Currie.
“We believe the format still works as long as newspapers work on proper
word and letter spacing in the columns and choose the best type for the
move,” he adds.
He says many Gannett papers have adopted one of the new Poynter fonts,
which are better suited for narrower measures than many fonts.
“We’re trying to reduce (from seven columns), but Gannett is pretty
high on the seven-column grid,” says Gary Schoening, Sunday managing editor
of the Asbury Park Press. “We’ll raise the issue, but we’re prepared
for seven. If that’s the way it is, then that’s the way it is.”
John Bodette, managing editor of the St. Cloud (Minn.) Times and an
accomplished designer, has applauded the seven-column grid, noting the
it creates “a newsier look.”
Currie added, “Interestingly, with its new design, USA Today — a division
unto itself separate from the (Gannett) Newspaper Division — has gone the
other direction with more wide type, fewer stories on page 1, etc. “To
each his own,” Currie added. “But for now our Newspaper Division newspapers
will stick with the multi-column format and narrower type.”
— W.W.
