Evolution

Here are three examples of how my style changed as a designer during my career (5+ years) at Gannett. These changes came from repetition, experience, learning and a desire to continuously improve and push myself. Also, you get a look at how the newspapers themselves changed with updates to the company’s style guide.

1. Aspenfest

USA Today Network | Ruidoso, New Mexico | 2016 - 2018

This tabloid ran weekly with a mixture of local and wire content. This example shows an event, Aspenfest, that occurred each year in the area that this tabloid was distributed. The local newspaper provided photos, but they were low resolution and in the following years the same photos were provided. Taking into consideration the provided photos, the story, and the cover space, I decided to find assets on Getty Images that conveyed the story. I did not simply just download something from Getty Images and run it on the cover. I sketched out ideas, found similar items on Getty Images and then designed the cover as you see them. Creating these illustrations provided space for the type elements, brought the feeling of fall and conveyed that it was Aspenfest time once again.

2. Health Stories

USA Today Network | Montgomery, Alabama | 2017 - 2019

This health section ran weekly with the same two columns that had to be contained to the page. Additionally, photos were not provided for the centerpiece story. These designs were created with images and/or assets from Getty Images. As you can see, I created photo illustrations and used typography to bring interest to the page and to convey the story.

3. Profiles

USA Today Network | Multiple papers across the United States and Guam | 2016 - 2022

Over the course of my career as a page designer, there were always centerpieces to design for profiles, stories focused on an individual or of a group of people. I believe it is most important to understand the story and what it is about, to be sure to represent the story, context, and tone appropriately. Additionally, I take into consideration the space on the page, photo quality, and other story elements. With all of this in mind, I sketch, and then begin building the page. In this evolution you can see that I push beyond what is provided and find a way to creatively tell the story.