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Fundamental design elements of a newsletter
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By Thomson Chemmanoor |
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Though articles form the base of a newsletter, the fundamental design elements of the newsletter proves to be just as important. The main base of the newsletter is the format of the newsletter. This is the template of desktop publishing software where you have to determine the page size and the number of pages, columns and margins. You then have to consider how to add the nameplate, page numbers and masthead of the newsletter. It is always better to have three or five columns in the newsletter as too many columns make the newsletter too busy and unreadable.
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White space is important in the newsletter as it helps the reader to focus on what is important and makes the articles more readable. It is of no use using more than a couple of typefaces as this offers a ransom note look to the newsletter. Use only two or three fonts; most newsletters use sans serif fonts for headlines and serif fonts for text. Be consistent in the usage of the font in the newsletter.
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One of the fundamental design elements of the newsletter is the nameplate of the newsletter. It shows the name of the newsletter on the first page, with your logo and colors. Publishing information that includes the name and addresses of the LTAP center, staff telephone numbers and disclaimer is found in the masthead. Headlines make the readers focus on the article they want to read. It may point out a benefit, an unusual statement or highlight an aspect of the story. Regular columns of a newsletter come under standing heads. Some of the regular columns of newsletters could be the note from the director, urban areas, computers and research. Long articles are broken up with subheads, and come after every fourth paragraph. |
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Captions are that part of the newsletter, which are placed under, over or to the side of a photograph to stress the story behind the photograph. Of course, photographs are used to illustrate an article and are usually what the reader will look at first. The most effective photographs are those showing people doing something. Sometimes charts and graphs are used to tell the story better, using less space. Clip art too is used to illustrate articles to draw people to important information.
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A table of contents on the first page of the newsletter directs readers to information in the newsletter. Using color is a great idea to make the newsletter stand out and to highlight specific components of the newsletter. It can be used in shaded boxes or column headlines. Ads are usually included in newsletters to make the newsletter more eye-catching, while promoting products and services. Implementing of these fundamental design elements in the newsletter is sure to help produce a newsletter worth reading!
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