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2006 NAMPA Awards
Design Categories
Front Cover Photo
Entries in this category use original photography to entice the reader into the publication. There should be evidence of intelligent use of typography and space as well as a sense of control over production details. No stock photos or CD-ROM artwork are allowed.
Circulation: 25,000 or less
The Best of Times, Louisiana
Simple, warm and inviting wins the day. Happy, natural faces … and pets. A winning combination. The eyes draw the reader, the type doesn’t get in the way. The subjects appear relaxed and vibrant. The photo is an invitation to open the publication.
Ozarks Maturity, Missouri
Strong composition, beautiful lighting and supporting background image quickly communicates the edition’s main story. Excellent reproduction helps make this a dramatic cover.
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
It's Not an Age. It's an Attitude, FiftyPlus, Virginia
A nice visual play on a weary cliché. The slightly askew geometry and inward (inland) view is unexpected, playing against type. This combination of elements creates visual interest.
Keeping Bzzzzzzzy in Varina, FiftyPlus, Virginia.
Simple image run large is an effective way to attract readers’ attention. Looking at the bees and the handler without protective gear, certainly gets attention. But since the handler is smiling, not wincing, we're smiling.
Circulation: 50,000 - 100,000
Forever Young, New York
Larger format and excellent color reproduction creates a visual magnet. Cropping, placement, proportions are all executed well, producing an inviting cover. The image and the page create a natural flow for the reader.
Circulation: 100,000+
Senior Connection, News Connections USA, Florida
This is an engaging photo of President Bush greeting seniors. The warm, friendly, engaged faces of the crowd, and of the woman shaking hands draws the readers' eyes into the cover. Nice to see a "news" picture work well as a cover.
Front Cover Illustration
Circulation: 25,000 or less
Senior News, Pennsylvania
A pastiche or collage combining artist with his artwork conveys more information than either can separately, and creates interest. It also effectively demonstrates the variety of the artist's work.
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
FiftyPlus, Virginia
Great, fun, buoyant illustration. Not quite a cartoon, but all the elements that make one smile. Colorful, inviting and terrifically on point with the story/section content. Beautifully executed and reproduced.
Circulation: 50,000 - 100,000
50 Plus News Magazine, Wisconsin
Nice change of pace … an illustration/portrait of a subject instead of just another mug shot. The color on the rest of the page is nicely coordinated, integrated with the illustration color scheme. Reproduction is very good.
Table of Contents
This award recognizes the table of contents that best provides readers with a road map through the publication, is well organized, easy to use and incorporates design to make the contents interesting and attractive.
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
FiftyPlus, Virginia
Readers won’t have any trouble finding their favorite features in this publication thanks to its inclusive table of contents. An attractive color photograph that anchors the page also serves to help the reader linger a moment, perhaps discovering a reference to a new feature or interesting topic.
Briefs/Shorts
Entries are a potpourri of brief, timely, informative and locally relevant items that are presented together as a fun, lively, engaging column or section that appears regularly in the publication. Art, color and typography should stand out and appropriately convey the tone of the content, as well as uniting what are clearly individual items.
Circulation: 50,000 - 100,000
Forever Young, New York
Making great use of color, this publication offers two pages of quick hits. They are designed so that a reader can scan them. The selection of the visuals to highlight the text boxes is outstanding. These pages are fun.
Calendar of Events
This category recognizes excellence in calendars of events for active seniors. Entries will be judged on ease of use, design, readability and visual appeal.
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
FiftyPlus, Virginia
The use of breakout boxes and photographs add interest to these calendars of events pages.
Circulation: 100,000+
50+ Life Styles, New York
Clearly defined listings by days of the month and the use of photographs and illustrations make this calendar a standout feature.
Feature Layout
Entries exhibit sound use of typography and space as well as resourcefulness in the selection and use of art and/or photography and a sense of control over production details.
Circulation: 25,000 or less
"Moving on with Pain," Beacon Newspaper, Colorado
The layout is clean and clear. Reproduction is crisp. The pictures are nicely integrated.
"Happy Then, Happy Still," The Best of Times, Louisiana
Although one would advise against using such a bright yellow as a background, the collage of photos conveyed an appropriate mood for the story idea. Makes for a lively look.
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
"Scent from Above," 50plus Lifestyles
Nice integration of art and copy. Reflects the content well. Pictures well chosen.
"Nature, History & Art," FiftyPlus, Virginia
Simple but effective. The use of white space and the play of one very large picture works well.
Circulation: 50,000 - 100,000
"Romancing the Food," Forever Young, New York
Lots of color and lots of iconic photography offer a zippy look that suggests the lively content.
Circulation: 100,000+
"Heart of Gold," 50 Plus Lifestyles, New York
The designer pulls together disparate elements by using a background color. The color and the photos work well as a package.
"Hero Still Flying High at 75,"
Senior Connection, News Connections USA, Florida
The astronaut is shown from numerous angles and the ragged right type adds the necessary white space. An angled photo provides variety.
Best Overall Use of Photography
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
FiftyPlus, Virginia
The editors at FiftyPlus do not take the easy way out. While they have obviously devoted time and energy to find attractive, appealing cover photographs, it is also apparent that they’ve spent just as much effort seeking out photos to enhance the storytelling inside the book. There’s a good mix of local or original photography alongside stock/food/travel photos.
Best Use of Color
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
FiftyPlus, Virginia
FiftyPlus uses color to inform rather than decorate. The usage is restrained, classy and effective. It provides an inviting environment to the stories and advertising.
Circulation: 50,000 - 100,000
Forever Young, New York
The high-quality paper stock really and good reproduction really makes the color pop in this publication. When tints are used over text, they are light enough to protect the legibility of the content. Color on the covers really help it stand out.
Overall Design
This award recognizes superior design. Good design not only serves the reader, but also engages and delights. Organization of the publications should be well-defined, with intelligent use of space in the front and back of the publication to accommodate fractional ads. The design must establish and sustain a visual identity throughout and must be technically superior in its production.
Circulation: 25,000 or less
Beacon Newspaper, July-September, 2005. Colorado
Strong cover images with appropriate words capture the readers’ attention. Inside, the cover stories have additional local photographs. The design of this publication is active and organized. Those elements that appear in every issue are presented with a consistent design, which helps reader recognition.
The Best of Times, April-June, 2006. Louisiana
Interesting cover photos on this magazine-sized publication attract our attention. The publication's organization is consistent from issue to issue, and the text font is legible for the target audience.
Circulation: 25,000 - 50,000
FiftyPlus, March-May, 2006. Virginia
These three issues offer artwork, a photo illustration and a portrait on the covers. This show a range of solutions for the covers, and they are all handled well. The table of contents page is especially notable for its strong local color photo and organized listings. Feature layouts are strong.
Circulation: 50,000 - 100,000
Forever Young, April-June, 2006. New York
Strong covers with sell lines grab your attention. The headline formats and pullouts work to attract scanners’ attention. Text font is appropriately sized for this niche audience. Good use of color. Design is clean and inviting.
Circulation: 100,000+
50 Plus Senior News, March-May, 2006. New York
Great reproduction of strong color covers. Sell lines are in the right places. Pullout type is used to attract more readers to the stories. Feature layouts are strong. This publication is well organized and easy to access.
Senior Connection, April-June, 2006. Florida
Consistent organization from issue to issue helps readers find their way through the publication. Editorial copy is in modular spaces, which helps give the publication a clean and organized look.