Category 23: Front page design
Judge: Mike Herek, WNEM TV5
first place
SAMUEL MARSH
HENRY FORD CC
Judge’s Comments: A cover that jumped out at me because of its simplicity. It's easy to understand, the artwork flows visually and quickly explains the story ahead, and it has an overall inviting tone. Nicely done!
SECOND PLACE
WHITE PINE PRESS STAFF
Judge’s Comments: Attractive and well organized. This cover is going for a select target audience, but it leaves the door open for others by teasing related stories that have a wider impact. Nicely thought out.
THIRD PLACE
Washtenaw voice staff
Judge’s Comments: As traditional as front pages get. Handsome, crisp, easy to follow; this would be a fine front page for any newspaper. An appreciative point of note: the copy hews to the baseline grid, so everything lines up nicely. Those little things matter. Keep it up!
honorable mention
White Pine Press Staff
Judge’s Comments: Simple and uncluttered, the artwork has the right "touch" for the MSU tragedy. I'd advise a more approachable headline. The goal of a front page is to attract as many readers as possible; it's easy to alienate people looking for evidence of an agenda.