Sep 24, 2010

Man, I love college ... newspapers

As a college journalist, I enjoy looking at professional papers of all calibers, from The New York Times to the random papers in small town Alabama. Each paper has its own merits (well, most of them do), and I often get ideas based on the designs of others.

Or I learn what not to let a paper look like.

Either way, it's a learning process. And you can't know good design without looking at it.

But professional papers are not the only ones worth taking a gander at. Collegiate newspapers and reporters are in the same boat as many of us — they are working, going to school, being journalists and attempting to put out the best paper possible.

While not conveniently located in one place, many college newspapers have great news design and content. It just takes a little digging.

I like to start with the ones in Ohio or nearby from familiar schools. Ohio University and Kent State University are the only schools in Ohio, other than Bowling Green State University, to have accredited journalism schools. Because of that, those papers are my go-tos.

Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. is also a well-known college publication. I can always learn something from what the kids at the Daily News are doing or designing.

But college journalism by no means stops in the midwest.

Papers all over the country are being put together by college journalists and designers. Often, these papers rival their professional counterparts.

So don't discredit college papers. They are great tools for learning and emulating. And sometimes they provide a good laugh.

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