ISOJ 2009

1. Setting guidelines on how
to design the news online.
Portuguese online newspapers and
their spanish, argentinian and brazilian
counterparts
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

2. Over a decade has passed
since the beginning of
online newspapers
There is still no designer handbook
for presenting the information to the
users.
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

3. Some ideas:
>reasons for making design decisions were (due to)
technical constraints, business decisions or adoption
of the printed paper rules.
>there are various itens that are rapidly becoming
default on online newspapers. Being those video,
animated graphics, sound bytes or slide shows
>users rapidly master ways of scanning information
online that didn't existed before
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

4. Some (old) problems:
>the level of design on online newspaper is steadily
in an ever changing mode. We’re still in between
keeping the paper metaphor or going plain web.
We need to embrace the Internet as a different
medium.
>concepts as information architecture, user interface,
design and user generated content should work
together on an online version that it is utterly different
from the printed one.
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

5. Some (wise) guidelines:
>use similar codes for clickable areas and navigation
systems standards.
>let users take full control of the interaction process
and allow them to engage.
>You are now designing more than just the product.
You are also designing the use of that product.
>use the information available: Eyetrack™ and other
users feedback and adapt it to your project.
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

6. 8 Online Newspapers:
>Portugal> publico.pt + jn.pt
>Spain> elpais.com + elmundo.es
>Brazil> estadao.com.br + folha.com.br
>Argentina> lanacion.com.ar + clarim.com
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

7. 8 Online Newspapers:
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

8. ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

9. ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

10. Conclusions (I):
>all use a 3 column semi-flexible structure
>video is present in all papers but integrated
as “normal” news in only 5.
>graphics are present in 3 newspapers
>only 5 present a clear an uncluttered
navigation “path”.
>only 3 use a flexible modular grid
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

11. Conclusions (II):
>a lot of the multimedia features are not
fully integrated.
>the capabilities of the medium have not
been fully explored
>there’s a (huge) lack of IA driven decisions
>there is not still a clear notion of “the user”.
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

12. So…
Produce good stories
Make them engaging (and update
them) and fun to play with.
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

13. So…
Produce good stories
Make them engaging (and update
them)
Try, try, try.
Always give the best of you and
make sure you have fun!
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.

14. Thank you!
Obrigado!
Gracias!
vargasbarcelona@gmail.com
ISOJ’09. Austin, TEXAS.
Nuno Vargas, University of Barcelona.