The front page of the New York Times’ sports section certainly got everyone’s attention this morning.
The Times made a statement via a huge block of white space. I asked sports editor Joseph Sexton why the section went that route.
Sexton replied via email:
“Wayne Kamidoi, our boundary pushing art designer came up with the idea, and Jay Schreiber our baseball editor saw the chance to capture the very old, very dispiriting story of steroids in baseball in a freshly powerful way. Yes, it was not a surprise that Bonds and Clemens didn’t make it. But felt like history had spoken. How to convey that to our readers? I think we did it — a striking, profound emptiness.”
Definitely makes a point. It shows how design can be a profoundly powerful tool.
Also on a side note: The New York Times are among the outlets that prohibit their writers from participating in the Hall of Fame vote.
What do you think?
They did two versions: I assume one was local, the other national. The other version was the same section of white space, with the header “Welcome to Cooperstown!”
The Times Hall of Fame layout emphasizes the visual impact that newspapers can deliver. There are many profound differences between delivering the news delivered on newsprint and online. And these valued differences may keep print viable for many more years.
The Times Hall of Fame layout emphasizes the visual impact that newspapers can deliver. There are many profound differences between the news delivered on newsprint and online. And these valued differences may keep print viable for many more years.