D1 Graphics

Judge: J. Ford Huffman is Design Editor for USA Today.

"Kartchner controversy"

"Despite the vague and sleepy headline, this is an otherwise well-designed, well-rendered diagram that shows (rather than merely "tells") the reader the story. It's concise in size and in words. (Don't tell the story's writer, but after you read the graphic you don't need to read the story.)

"Earthday 2001"

"Another dull and non-newsy headline. Despite the lack of intrigue in the main words, this is an imaginative use of newsprint, a reader's interactive delight, and &emdash; because the globe is borrowed &emdash; a good use of resources."

"USS Arizona."

"Dull headine again. Headlines in graphics need to be like "real" headlines: They need to tell the reader what the news (of the graphic) is. What about the USS Arizona, the reader asks. Despite the less-than-imaginative headline, the drawings of the ship are beautifully rendered. Overall layout is busy and text heavy."

D2 Color illustration

Judge: Jim Denk, creative director for The Charlotte Observer, is part of a team of Observer illustrators and graphic artists that has been repeatedly been honored, including a 2001 Award of Excellence from the Society of Newspaper Design.

"Taking the Bully By the Horns"

"The illustration incorporates a well thought out concept into the design. It was highly stylized and rendered well. The monotone color palette served the illustration well and added to the overall styling."

"MoneyWise:

"Exceptionally rendered illustration. Highly stylized and has a pleasing feel that is inviting."

AIDS and Abetting"

"Disturbing and evocative illustration that fit well with the subject. Use of layered lettering requires the viewer linger a little longer and study the subtlety."

D3 Editorial cartooning

Judge: Ann Telnaes, whose cartoons are syndicated by the Los Angeles Times, was the 2001 Pulitzer winner in this category. In 1997, she received the National Headliner Award for Editorial Cartoons. She won the 1996 Population Institute XVIIth Global Media Awards for Best Cartoonist and the Sixth Annual Environmental Media Awards in editorial cartooning.

"Strong, clear viewpoints about civil liberties, the media, and the environment. The style is unique and delivers the message in a clean and direct manner. In a time where there are so many similar and emotionally driven editorial cartoons, the entry uses the medium in its strongest form: as a tool to question and criticize."