If you fail to plan ...

Those who have read this column over the years have probably seen this quote before:

"If you fail to plan ... you plan to fail." 

I believe that so deeply that it has become embedded in my DNA.

But I'm preaching to the choir. You already have plans.

You have a business plan. An advertising plan. A circulation plan. A production plan. A personnel plan. A growth plan.

But (with rare exception), no design plan.

What's your design plan for the mid-term elections? What's your design plan for Halloween? Thanksgiving? Christmas? New Year's Day?

Who's in charge of design at your place?

Who decides what approach you're gonna take to the election?

When is that plan gonna be filtered down to others?

And who's gonna lead the effort?

Even for those routine time-and-again issues, what's the plan? 

What do you do with that lead photo? What if it's a vertical shot? Or horizontal? How are you gonna run the story with it? Should there be a graphic? An infobox? A logo?

Your plan need not be complex. It need not attempt to answer all the questions. It really can't. But having a selection of pre-designed models to go from would help.

How about a plan for design consistency? Creating a design style guide is a good place to start. 

Why not take advantage of your software? InDesign style sheets, "next" styles and nested styles can help your consistency and efficiency when designing pages. And InDesign libraries and templates are a gift to designers when they need to place standing design elements into their pages.

It's not difficult to create a solid design plan. Of course, it takes some time and effort. 

Or ... you could just continue planning to fail.

WANT A FREE evaluation of your newspaper's design? Just contact Ed Henninger: edh@henningerconsulting.com | (803) 327-3322

IF THIS COLUMN has been helpful, you may be interested in his books: "Henninger on Design" and "101 Henninger Helpful Hints." With the help of his books, you'll immediately have a better idea how to design for your readers. Find out more about "Henninger on Design" and "101 Henninger Helpful Hints" by visiting his website: www.henningerconsulting.com

ED HENNINGER is an independent newspaper consultant and the director of Henninger Consulting. He offers comprehensive newspaper design services including redesigns, workshops, staff training and evaluations. E-mail: edh@henningerconsulting.com. On the web: henningerconsulting.com. Phone: (803) 327-3322.