Awesome Analysts

I was really impressed when I checked out some of your responses to the layout analysis quiz -- especially since you had just 4 minutes to analyze each!
All of you contributed some interesting insight when analyzing the layouts, but the below responses received maximum credit:

Response: Color is being used to bring attention to important elements of the article. The section header, headline, and pull quote are all given the same turquoise line to give the words contrast from both the white background and the primarily tan color of the photographs.

Response: Lines are being used to create a sense of organization in the layout. The thick, black lines separate the title and subheadline, as well as outline the blurb at the beginning of the story. This makes it so that the text isn't all jumbled together and gives the layout a clean look.

Response: This layout uses lines to separate the photos and underlines certain places to separate them from others (for example, the title from the text or the title from the photo). There is also a line at the end of the layout to bring closure.

Response: In my opinion, the most prominent element in this design is size. The pictures differ in size, putting more emphasis on the larger one. The "In Cinemas" is much larger than "Prince of Persia," leading the eye to read that first. Since the article is about a movie, it is appropriate to take up more space with a large screenshot than actual text to keep the reader interested (another way in which size is used within this layout). The font size in the caption also creates a distinction between the body copy and the caption itself.

Response: In this design, lines are being used to separate the headline and subheadline from the text. The lines sort of box in the text and direct the eyes well, keeping us focused on what the designer wants us to look at first.

Response: The shape in this layout is a recurring theme. The fat letters and the thick squiggles bring an almost nostalgic mood to the article, and the retro vibe definitely enforces the topic [of the history of clubs that made Austin what it is today].

Response: An element which is very evident in this layout is color. The art is very colorful, along with the decorative designs, the drop cap, and the lines. Since Austin is a very artistic city, it is appropriate to have unique art along with the article. The color draws the eye from the left page where the title is featured to the top of the right page, then down to the bottom right of the right page. The colors used keep the article looking interesting and fun to read, enticing readers to actually read it instead of gloss over it.

Response: This design has a great use of color in it. On the first page, the main colors are yellow, orange, and pink. These colors are then pulled from the art. The orange is used for the drop cap, the pink for the caption, and the yellow for the lines at the bottom. The swirls at the top also use this color theme. This keeps a constant theme running through the article that keeps the main art connected with the rest of the design.

Response: This design uses color by making the word "Fray" a red color. This separates the word from the rest of the headline and makes the article seem more scary and deadly, since red reminds us of blood. The title of the caption is also in dark red, keeping the theme running throughout the article.

Response: This layout uses value and size. The right page is full of deliciousness and is very 3-D looking, and looks as if it's about to pop off the page. The "50" has a shadow behind it, making it also appear 3-D. Therefore, the value and size incorporated within this layout emphasizes the important parts that the designer intended to emphasize.

Attribution

Check here for the first three questions/answers.

Paraphrasing:

Original: According to a new study from Edinburgh Napier University, the more friends people have on Facebook, the more likely they were to be stressed out. The researchers who conducted the analysis noted that "for a significant number of users, the negative effects of Facebook outweigh the benefits of staying in touch with friends and family."

Approximately 200 students were used in this particular study. Dr. Kathy Charles, the woman who led this particular research, brought up the following points in relation to her study in a prepared statement: "For instance, although there is great pressure to be on Facebook, there is also considerable ambivalence among users about its benefits."

Response: A recent study by Edinburgh Napier University has shown that people with more Facebook friends were more likely to be stressed out. The study noted that "for a significant number of users, the negative effects of Facebook outweigh the social benefits." Dr. Kathy Charles, leader of the study, noted that "there is considerable ambivalence among users about [Facebook's] benefits."

Response: In a study led by Dr. Kathy Charles at Edinburgh Napier University, researchers have found that the more friends someone has on Facebook, the more likely it was that they were stressed out. The researchers noted that "for a significant number of users, the negative effects of Facebook outweigh the benefits of staying in touch with friends and family."

Response: A recent study from Edinburgh Napier University suggests that people who have more friends on Facebook are more likely to be stressed out as well. These reports show that "the negative effects of Facebook outweigh the benefits," although lead researcher Kathy Charles says that "there is also considerable ambivalence among users about its benefits."