F1 Deadline design

Judge: Dash Parham is Page 1 Design Editor for USA Today.

"Terror: Wednesday, Sept. 12"

"Strong typographic treatment with careful contrast from the news headline and the delicate use of the drophead. Strong and simple design offers impact."

"World Champs: Nov. 5"

"Strong photo and headline use are equally balanced. The design and type treatment incorporates a successful use of white space."

"U.S. Answers With a Roar, Oct. 8"

"Clean and simple layout. Good package handling of the informational graphic and teasers. The small headline labelled ‘inside’ isn’t necessary."

F2 Non-deadline design

Judge: Design staff of the Hartford Courant, recently named one of the world’s best designed papers by the Society for News Design. Judges are: Chris Moore, design editor; Josue Evilla, designer/illustrator; Greg Harmel, graphic artist; Suzette Moyer, design Editor

"Appetizing Bundles"

"The design is clean and simple yet involved many elements. The designer worked the recipes in the layout without cluttering up the page."

"Bully by the Horns"

"The strong centerpiece is what carries the page. Nice typography worked into the illustration. Kudos for the staff illustration"

"Class with Glass"

"Nice, playful page but a little too many effects bumps it to third."

F3 Multiple-page/special section design

Judge: Design staff of the Hartford Courant, recently named one of the world’s best designed papers by the Society for News Design. Judges are: Chris Moore, design editor; Josue Evilla, designer/illustrator; Greg Harmel, graphic artist; Suzette Moyer, design Editor

"Return to Mars"

"Nice kids section. Playful. Looks like the designer had fun doing it. Good job of attracting audience."

"Believe It! Diamondbacks are Champions!"

"Nice use of white space. Good mix of photos and graphics. Consistent design throughout."

"A New Day of Infamy"

"No repetition of photos. Told the story. Could have been less dense, however."

F4. Magazine design

Judge: J. Ford Huffman is design editor for USA Today.

"Garfield"

"Four (out of 5) well-composed, thoughtful photographs that are allowed to run full. There are awkward changes in column width of the text, but the opening spread is inviting and intriguing. But . . . where are the cutlines? Who are the two men in the opening photograph?"

"Hope lives in Paradise Valley".

"The opening spread allows the shape of the sidewalk in the photograph to help tell the story. But . . . the rest of the layout does not need the green tintblocks, and there are just too many repetitive pictures."

F5 Magazine cover

Judge: Dash Parham is Page 1 design editor for USA Today.

"Best New Restaurants"

"Clean and simple design. The food photograph has a strong use of color and is well lighted.The promotional headlines are easy to read."

"Free Willy"

"Creative way to illustrate singer Willie Nelson. Simple design and good use of color offer contrast."

"Mucho Mariachi"

"Successful integration of the illustration and the typography. I particularly like the creative handling of the nameplate as part of the art. Strong and sensitive use of complimentary colors."

F6 Online page design

Judge: Mindy McAdams, a former Web strategist at the American Press Institute, has held the Knight Chair in journalism technologies at the University of Florida since 1999. She was the first content developer at Digital Ink, the Washington Post’s first online newspaper.

"The Business of Influence"

(www.azstarnet.com/influence)

"This is cool. First, it looks slick. Second, the content is meaningful AND well-organized. The ability to search the database is an important service to provide to users — and it’s unique to the online medium. The search also works well, which is very important.

The database, well hidden under the generic "Search" link, is the best part of the "Influence" site. However, the first page is a completely wasted opportunity — first, I have to wait for a big picture of a flag to load. Then I look at this — admittedly very attractive — page and I have to puzzle out what things mean. There are links to the inside sections, but no explanations. The overall design of the complete section is very, very good. The information design could stand some improvements to make it easier to use.

No second or third place award.

F7 Design portfolio

Judge: Design staff of the Hartford Courant, recently named one of the world’s best designed papers by the Society for News Design. Judges are: Chris Moore, design editor; Josue Evilla, designer/illustrator; Greg Harmel, graphic artist; Suzette Moyer, design Editor

"Creative use of illustration. Strong graphic-style centerpieces on Stash City. Feaures, news is nice balance."

"Nice presentation. Nice magazine story openers."

"Strong front pages from 9/11 attack mixed with light feature pages."