SND32: “i” of Portugal named World’s Best-Designed™
February 14th, 2011
In its 32nd annual The Best of Newspaper Design™ Creative Competition, the Society for News Design has named Portugal’s i newspaper, a daily that launched in 2009, the World’s Best-Designed™ Newspaper.
Newspaper: i (short for informação)
Launched: 2009
Based in: Portugal
Size: Compact format, saddle-stitched, 250 x 345 mm or 9 ¾” x 13 5/8” with the trim
JUDGES’ OVERALL STATEMENT
As judges, we may have been more surprised than anyone to see that only one paper ended up on the World’s Best list in 2010. In fact, we carefully “parsed” our decision — reached by secret ballot, hence the surprise — to see why one publication edged out the other world-class newspapers on the table in the final round.
In this era of great upheaval in media, the decision came down to innovation.
Many publications we saw are clearly operating at the top of their game, and have been tenacious and intelligent enough to emerge stronger from the economic battering of the last few years. But Portugal’s daily newspaper, i, stood out for its ability to take the best of the visual language of newspapers, magazines and other publications and create something new that is more than the sum of its parts.
The front page of i from Feb. 16, 2011: ''i is the best newspaper in the world''
Its magazine-like size allows the reader to hold the newspaper close; the format invites the reader to engage more deeply. The publication is packed with information, yet extremely well organized, using elements of layering and editing to draw readers into every page.
i walks the line between newspaper and magazine with perfect balance. Its format supports the kind of flexibility that lets it focus on hard news one day and features the next. The editions we saw featured a lead story about a great author one day, then strong reporting of the Haiti earthquake the next. We encountered stories told with a sense of urgency and newsiness, and others told with subtlety and humor.
The paper delivers traditional newspaper content with new, engaging presentation.
This causes us to wonder: Is this where newspapers are going? Is it where newspapers could go, or should go? Can new techniques make print even more vibrant and relevant?
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT i:
The covers appealed to our curiosity, using techniques like thoughtful cropping of images to add intrigue. Color and variety drew us to the publication, providing provocation and an intellectual challenge. The cover featuring the Jose Saramago illustration “is amazing,” said one judge. “I just want to eat it. Every page offers up things that you want to devour.”
It’s smaller than most tabloids (250 x 345 mm or 9 ¾” x 13 5/8” with the trim) and it is saddle-stitched, so it holds together like a magazine. Readers can easily fold pages back, navigate without difficulty and — perhaps — concentrate without the distractions encountered with larger, unbound formats.
Designers are clearly thinking about the way two facing pages work together, whether the stories are related or not. This creates a flow that encourages reading without interruption.
i is composed like a beautiful piece of music. It has the discipline to play only the high notes that matter most. For example, it uses its full bleed capability sparingly. It creates strong impact, even with small things. The surprise of occasional whimsy makes the content inviting.
The publication has a steady grid structure, type and color palette that create a strong platform for difference and surprise. The grid and space look effortless. But there is more complexity than it first appears.
Typography is classic, not trendy. From very large to very small, the principles of scale and contrast apply throughout their type palette. Sans serif feels serious; the serif is more playful. It’s a wonderful contrast.
Headlines are relatively small, but pop within the context of the page.
We found color on every page, yet it is used purposefully, with smart pacing. It’s as though the designers are using a highlighter to clue the reader in to what’s important. One judge called this “print search optimization.”
The palette is rich. Cyan, magenta and yellow create a base for navigation while richer colors provide depth and contrast.
Details in the informational graphics are lovely. They are efficient, distilling ideas down to their purist form. Icons are very simple, easily discernable.
A minimalist approach allows larger treatments to stand out. One example: a two-page graphic that starts the cover story for the “Zoom” section.
i has even rethought the ubiquitous weather page, with a smart approach to organization and color. The compact approach communicates lots of information quickly.
Much of the photo play in i is like a mini reportage. Informational photos are used well, often organized in a series. Most of these images aren’t huge, but they are used proportionally within the design. We were amazed at how compelling we found spreads that didn’t actually include a dominant image. The structure of the page tied it all together.
Mug shots are set up within a round frame. This balances the very rectangular format. It’s a nice trick. It softens the hard edges.
CONCLUSION
What we recognized in this year’s winner was its fresh, unique approach. “i” can inspire visual journalists and publishers anywhere in the world to rethink their models and revise or create new ones that best serve their audiences. They may look nothing like i. It won’t — and shouldn’t — represent everyone’s treatment.
We encourage all designers to apply similar creativity and tenacity to finding their own voice and expressing it with conviction and excellence, no matter the size of the staff or access to other resources.
The judges:
Haika Hinze, Die Zeit
Heidi de Laubenfels, The Seattle Times
Svetlana Maximchenko, Akzia (Moscow)
Carl Neustaedter, Ottawa Citizen
Sara Quinn, Poynter Institute
This is a flickr.com feed of the daily front pages from i, dating from June 25, 2010, updated daily.
L Marques said:
I’m very proud to read these words!
MarioFdo. said:
Que alegría, vengo siguiendo las portadas de i hace rato y es uno de mis tres periódicos favoritos en el mundo, muy de acuerdo con la desición de los jurados. Congratulations!!!!!!
Marco Dinis Santos said:
Congrats to the team!
Shirley said:
Well done to the Creative Team! It looks amazing
Arlene Reyes said:
En horabuena a todos los que participaron en el equipo de rediseño de I, en especial a Javier Errea, mastermind del diseño.
Vcorreiamarques said:
Congrats!!!!
Ricardo Gouveia said:
Como leitor do i desde a primeira hora, congratulo toda a equipa por mais este reconhecimento (mais um!), e de salientar nos comentários do painel de juízes o reforço da qualidade do conteúdo, e não apenas o excelente design.
Parabéns, mais uma vez.
INNOVATION’S “i” IS THE SOLO WORLD’S BEST-DESIGNED NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR said:
[...] Lee Steele reports: [...]
Ariel Garofalo said:
Felicitaciones es un diseño innovador. Un gran diario!
Juan Antonio Giner said:
Thank you Lee, and thank you to all the judges!
Read the full story behind INNOVATION’s “i” at http://bit.ly/982Cg2
Soraya said:
Mis felicitaciones a todo el super equipo ganador the World’s Best-Designed Newspaper que dicha que contemos con ustedes aqui en Rep.Dom.Un fuerte abrazo Javier!!!
Ron Reason said:
“I just want to eat it. Every page offers up things that you want to devour.” The rest of the world should aspire to produce pages like this. Congratulations to all involved – keep innovating!
RethinkingMedia » Blog Archive » Nieuwsoverzicht: de mooiste krant ter wereld en 1 eurocent per bezoeker said:
[...] ‘s werelds best vormgegeven krant. Vindt althans de Society for News Design. Quote uit het juryrapport: “i is composed like a beautiful piece of music. It has the discipline to play only the high [...]
i ganha o óscar do design de jornais | Imprensa 24 said:
[...] Leia aqui na integra a apreciação do júri [...]
Catarina Amorim said:
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii que bom!!!!!!!!!!
ggrin said:
Exciting and shining! What a paper.
Good decision judges. Congratulations to all involved in this innovation.
Alessandro Nasini said:
Congratulations, a very good job!
Clara Montagut said:
Felicidades. El buen trabajo siempre se reconoce.
“i” è “the World’s Best Designed Newspaper” | Personal Report said:
[...] di cui avevamo già parlato nella rubrica Daily Infographics, è stato nominato “World’s Best Designed Newspaper” dalla giuria della prestigiosa Society for News Design. Beh, tantissimi complimenti alla [...]
Joao (John) Ruela said:
Que Orgulho ser un Journal Portugues.
Congrats!!!
adonis durado said:
A truly beautiful and engaging newspaper. Congratulations to INNOVATIONS!
Pedro Figueiral said:
Muitos parabéns a toda a equipa do «I» em especial ao seu departamento de Arte. Mais um merecido prémio pelo excelente trabalho!
Marra said:
Congrats!
What about the Best of News Design Competition? What about the world?
Pedro F said:
É com enorme orgulho que trabalho diariamente neste lindo e gigante jornal, a todos os meus sinceros parabéns, merecemos!…
Paz Terrier said:
a fantastic example of portuguese design quality and creativity. as a marketing/design professional, I’m starting to give more attention to what’s happening on that small but very original and inovative country… congrats to “i” and to all the designers involved!
Alfonso Cano said:
Amazing layout, superb color palette, clean typography, and very innovatve, congratultions
Ink the Studio › The World’s Best-Designed newspaper… said:
[...] not Ink. But, Ink co-founder Nick Mrozowski also happens to be the former art director of the winning newspaper i from Portugal. In honor Nick’s amazing awesomeness, here at Ink headquarters we are congratulating Nick [...]
sofia bostyn said:
Parabéns!!!!!!!
Matilde Berk said:
Muitissimos parabéns ao “i”. Já era tempo de sermos os melhores do mundo em alguma coisa.
best design: Portugals Tageszeitung "i" - Das PortugalForum - das Original said:
[...] [...]
OEIRAS i - RANCANGAN KORAN TERBAIK 2011 said:
[...] Oleh: Irvandy Syafruddin Sumber: snd.org [...]
L Marques said:
Thanks for all the encourage comments.
Here’s the reason why “jornal i” is the World’s Best-Designed Newspaper
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmarques_/sets/72157625931753217/
Get Inspired :]
Portugal tem o melhor design de jornal do mundo « GogoJob | Empregos em Publicidade no Nordeste said:
[...] Na 32º edição anual do prêmio The Best of Newspaper Design™ Creative Competition, a Society for News Design nomeou o jornal português i como o World’s Best-Designed™ Newspaper, ou seja, como o melhor design de jornal do mundo. Clique aqui para ver mais imagens do premiado. E para saber mais detalhes da notícia e da competição, clique aqui. [...]
Nasser Othman said:
Excellent work, neat and clean layout, so attractive, the best newspaper ever seen and there is the respect of the readers too.
The Inspiration Grid : art + design + photo + architecture & more said:
[...] Original post on SND [...]
El portugués “i”, el diario mejor diseñado del mundo « CuatroTipos said:
[...] HJF.-El diario portugués “I” ha sido galardonado hoy por la SND como el diario mejor diseñado del mundo, un reconocimiento que anualmente comparten tres o cuatro diarios internacionales y que con ocasión de su 32 edición, se le ha otorgado en solitario a este joven periódico editado en Lisboa desde 2009. Las razones por las que el jurado ha tomado esta contundente decisión, estan largamente expuestas en la página web de la SND. [...]
Mário Feliciano said:
Parabéns Javier! Obrigado por confiares nos meu tipos! O texto do ‘i’ é em Majerit! a qual me orgulho de ser o autor! ‘i’ mais nada!
Overmatter 16.02.11 « magCulture.com/blog said:
[...] i (I have to keep describing it as that because i on its own isn’t visible) has been voted best newspaper in the world by [...]
PortugalDesign · SND32: “i” of Portugal named World’s Best-Designed™ said:
[...] http://www.snd.org/2011/02/snd32i/ [...]
Homeland Estudio said:
Parabéns! Felicidades al equipo de ‘i’, es una gran noticia y una distinción más que merecida.
Victor Barreiras said:
Parabéns! O i é sem dúvida um grande vencedor. Muito bem desenhado, bem estruturado, fresco.
A minha sugestão para o próximo vencedor: Região de Leiria. Do mesmo designer do i – Nick Mrozowski (também autor do óptimo Virginian Pilot).
Congratulations! Newspaper i is with no doubt a great winner. Very well designed, great structure and lovingly fresh.
My suggestion for the next winner: Região de Leiria. From i’s same designer – Nick Mrozowski (also author of the wonderful Virginian Pilot).
Phil said:
I second Victor! RL has a great design too.
Alexis Mora said:
Felicitaciones a todo el equipo de i. El premio de la SND es un estímulo a todos los diarios del planeta para que todos los días diseñen más y mejores diarios.
Ruben recommends « — W210 blog — said:
[...] year BAGCer Ruben has a moment of national pride that in the the ‘Best of Newspaper Design‘ creative competition, the Portuguese newspaper ‘i’ was considered the newspaper [...]
mariette janssen said:
True beauty. Congratulations to all of you.
El diario mejor diseñado del mundo | Dylan in the movie said:
[...] News Design, quiénes me sorprendieron, dado que generalmente eligen diarios más conservadores. Aquí la SND explica las razones de su [...]
“i” é o jornal mais bem desenhado do mundo | Janela Urbana said:
[...] jornal i venceu o prémio da Society for News Design (SND) para o “jornal mais bem desenhado do mundo”. Os prémios SND são os mais [...]
US launch update | Newspaper Club said:
[...] been named the World’s Best Designed, by the Society for News Design (read what they think here – it’s impressive stuff). You can contact him at nick [at] newspaperclub [dot] co [dot] [...]
Melhor design de jornal « PONTO ELETRÔNICO said:
[...] explicação detalhada do júri pode ser lida aqui, e dá pra dar uma espiada nas capas do jornal [...]
Portugal at the Crossroads – Nuno Monteiro said:
[...] [This is a translated version of my column in tomorrow's edition of the Portuguese daily i, which, by the way has been named the "world's best-design newspaper" by the Society for News Design.] [...]
Robb Montgomery said:
I am so proud of you, Nick.
When I met and interviewed you last year in Cologne for my documentary film I knew you had a very special opportunity in Portugal and you were making the most of it. Your collaborative spirit is the real fuel behind consistently producing this level of effort.
Mostly I appreciate how damn humble you are, despite being incredibly hard working and vastly talented.
In this ‘me-media’ world, your humility is the rarest treasure of all and that simple gift makes the singular honor of being recognized as ‘World’s Best’ that much more authentic.
Congrats and good luck in your new ventures.
Patricia Brooks Arenbrug said:
Absolutely gorgeous design, especially for a daily. Congratulations.
Patricia Brooks Arenburg said:
Absolutely gorgeous design, especially for a daily. Congratulations on your achievement.
Why can’t newspapers be pretty? | Media Editing said:
[...] of News Design recently named a Portuguese newspaper, “i” (short for informação), the World’s Best Designed newspaper. As you can see, the publication relies heavily on bright colors and graphics. Why [...]
Quintatinta said:
[...] en estas llega la SND (Society of News Design) y lo elige como periódico mejor diseñado del mundo en sus premios de este año. Dado que la osadía de i es de las de provocar asombro y bocas [...]
iPaper « KCOBY said:
[...] newspapers as well as modern tabloids to create a publication worth reading. Judges from the Society of News Design shared that their final decision came down to simple innovation. As newspapers and periodicals [...]
Världens Bäst Designade Tidning « Robert Macli said:
[...] nyhetstidningen i utsågs till Världens Bäst Designade Tidning vid SND 32, Society for News Design. Personligen tycker jag att det är ett helt korrekt val. Den har allt [...]
Mark Gilsdorf said:
Would it be possible to follow up this article with a more in-depth preview of the design/editorial team that produces this amazing paper week in and week out? I’d be interested in who the “faces” behind the pages are, and what their creative process is. Questions like how big a staff they have, how big (or small) their budget is, how they balance the pressures of advertising and deadlines, and how they deal with other “brass tacks” issues can be enlightening to those of us slaving away in trenches.
I think many of us are genuinely inspired when some of our fellow designers manage to succeed in producing a quality piece of design work like this.
Steve Dorsey said:
Mark,
Yes, I agree. I think something telling us more about what happens (happened) behind the scenes at i would be very welcome. I’m sure we’ll try to put something like that together as soon as we can. Thanks for the feedback.
L Marques said:
Hello Mark and Steve,
here’s a photostream with some of our interior pages and best works we’ve being made! I’m updating every week with fresh work.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmarques_/sets/72157625931753217/
I hope you like. Thank you for all the interest in i.
Best,
Lm
“AARP magazine is cooler than you are.” « The Collegiate Angle said:
[...] “i” was actually named the best newspaper in the world by the Society of News Design this February. And how many blocks of gray text do you see? [...]
i, World's Best-Designed Newspaper by SND | Cosas Visuales said:
[...] diario portugués i ha sido nombrado periódico mejor diseñado del mundo por la SND (Society of News Designer). “Es compacto. Es fresco. Es consistente y está lleno de [...]
Café Cult » «i»: World’s Best-Designed Newspaper said:
[...] Para mais informações a respeito da premiação e escolha do jornal, clique aqui e acesse o site da «SND». [...]
Diario “i” de portugal, el mejor diseñado del mundo. « BLOGgraphic said:
[...] tabloide que comenzó a circular en 2009, el diario mejor diseñado del mundo. ¿Por qué? Léelo en la SND. Desde aquí ¡Felicitaciones! LikeBe the first to like this [...]
Andrew said:
It looks like a copy of the Monocle magazine and their unique style to me.
Nyt håb for aviserne? « said:
[...] http://www.snd.org/2011/02/snd32i [...]
Nyt håb for aviserne? « said:
[...] http://www.snd.org/2011/02/snd32i [...]
Best-Designed Newspaper | WPLover said:
[...] Best-Designed Newspaper [...]
Portuguese daily worlds’ best designed – Lisbon | Portuguese American Journal said:
[...] The Society for News Design (SND) has named the Portuguese i online newspaper the world’s best designed paper . [...]
Egy kávé legyen finom… « PR & GO Blog said:
[...] A 32. alkalommal megrendezett The Best of Newspaper Design™ Creative Competition győztese, a portugál „informação” szó rövidítéséből nevesített, 2009 óta megjelenő „i” az SND szerint kompakt, friss, következetes és mégis meglepetésekkel teli, tartalmában és megjelenésében is a magazin és a hírlap között egyensúlyoz. (A részletes értékelés az SND honlapján olvasható.) [...]
Meridian said:
Great design congratulation
El periódico portugués "I", votado como el mejor diseñado del mundo [ENG] said:
[...] El periódico portugués "I", votado como el mejor diseñado del mundo [ENG] http://www.snd.org/2011/02/snd32i/ por barbara hace 2 segundos [...]
Cafe Hopping (3/25) | Counterpoint Cafe said:
[...] The i has it: Society for News Design has named Portugal’s i newspaper, a daily that launched in 2009, the World’s Best-Designed™ Newspaper. [...]
SND32: “i” of Portugal named World’s Best-Designed™ – The Society for News Design « nikgreen said:
[...] SND32: “i” of Portugal named World’s Best-Designed™ – The Society for News Design Friday March 25, 2011 // 0 http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649 via snd.org [...]
TimH said:
Now, if these designers could put their heads into a news-delivery design for a “paperback”-sized device like the Kindle, we e-reader folk might be a lot better off.
Great design is intoxicating | DrawingConclusions said:
[...] love great design. Following a link from a great site I visit often, Kottke, I found this article on ‘the best designed newspaper in the world’. (link) With newspapers struggling to [...]
Flavorwire » The World’s Best Designed Newspaper said:
[...] brings readers to the physical format. According to the Society of News Design’s 32nd annual Best of Newspaper Design Creative Competition, the best designed newspaper in the whole world is i, short for informação, a small-format, [...]
Best Newspaper Design | Magnetic Colors said:
[...] issues with alignment but nothing too jarring. If only all newspapers looked this good. Feature here. ‹ Previous Post March Link Drop [...]
Eric Chu said:
Hi,
Is there a way I can purchase a copy for myself? I live in New York City, USA. Thanks!
Teresa said:
Muitos Parabéns !!!!!!!
h gibson said:
beautiful. but where are the ads?
Η Ομορφότερη Εφημερίδα Του Κόσμου | θοδωρής γεωργακόπουλος said:
[...] πρωτοδείξει μερικούς μήνες πριν ο @spi_pol, βραβεύθηκε ως η πιο καλοσχεδιασμένη εφημερίδα του κόσμου από φορέα που δίνει τέτοιου τύπου βραβεία. Όπως [...]
Το ομορφότερο « reality bites said:
[...] 32ο ετήσιο διαγωνισμό του Society of News Design, το βραβείο του καλύτερου (αισθητικά) περιοδικού [...]
The world’s best-designed newspaper « &redallover said:
[...] It’s from Portugal. Don’t know if it’s the best, but I do agree with The Society of News Design … [...]
The world’s best-designed newspaper « Phil Ebersole's Blog said:
[...] understand why, click on SND for an in-depth look at a typical [...]
“i” of Portugal named World’s Best-Designed Newpaper | The Journal said:
[...] surprise. The grid and space look effortless. But there is more complexity than it first appears. (via) This entry was posted in Design by Firman Firdaus. Bookmark the [...]
Design is Blank: The Designer Database said:
[...] Best designed newspaper [...]
What the world’s best-designed newspaper looks like | journalredesign said:
[...] full citation is here. But this is what the judges were talking about. Front page today, Aug. 24, [...]
Cool stuff I learned over the summer | QU Student Media said:
[...] The instructor showed us the publication “i” from Portugal which was awarded the world’s best designed newspaper. Some of the reasons why include form, color and variety of coverage. [...]
Zubair Masood Niazi said:
…..wonderful informations ….i love it
The World’s Best-Designed Newspaper by Joseph Gornail - Quora said:
[...] named Portugal’s "i" newspaper launched in 2009, the World’s Best-Designed Newspaper -http://www.snd.org/2011/02/snd32i/Suggest edits to the author of this post:BIU @ The Society [...]
Newspaper Design « JeffreyJohnBaker said:
[...] http://www.snd.org/2011/02/snd32i/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Categories Publication Design [...]
Paul Hagon ~ i newspaper said:
[...] Last year in Portugal I came across an amazing newspaper called i (short for informação). It’s the most beautifully designed newspaper. It was only when I got home that I found out it had been named the best designed newspaper in the world. [...]
Portuguese daily worlds’ best designed – Lisbon | Portuguese American Journal said:
[...] TweetEmailThe Society for News Design (SND) has named the Portuguese i online newspaper the world’s best designed paper . [...]
SND32: “i” of Portugal named World’s Best-Designed™ – The Society for News Design | nikgreen said:
[...] via snd.org [...]
Equine Herpes Virus-1 Infects Horses said:
Having read this I believed it was very informative. I
appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this content together.
I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!