On Sunday, the News unleased all the new fancy stuff designed to connect with my busy lifestyle. My reaction is mixed. The Sunday Life “magazine” made me fall asleep so hard that I strained my groin. Bad design, bad concept, blech. Actual sample headline: “Different and Special: Parents want to share the magic of kids with disabilities.” The cover story was about Naomi Shihab Nye teaching “blood foes to see each other as ordinary people.” Oh! My hammy!
The new GuideLive section, on the other hand, had something going on. I especially liked the “Over the Top” thingy that runs along the top of each page. Clever, snappy, visually stimulating. My only complaint is that GuideLive editor Rick Holter stole Jerry Bokamper’s Mr. Dallas cartoon character. Stealing is wrong.
One more thing: props to DMN staff illustrator Michael Hogue. His work on the cover of the Points section (blood smeared pigs for a piece about factory farming) and in GuideLive (General Sherman riding on a map for a book review) was compelling. Michael, tell your bosses today that you deserve a raise. Because you do.
