Learn to create attention-grabbing graphics at Journalism Institute workshop, Friday
Whether online or in print, attractive visuals can make the difference in whether a reader engages with a story.
Learn how to uncover and build charts, social cards and other creative graphics during “Design Hacks: How to create attention-grabbing visuals” on Friday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The workshop is designed for reporters, editors, social media managers and other “non-visual” journalists and communicators who want to gain design skills that will enhance their story packages.
Beth Francesco, the National Press Club Journalism Institute’s senior director, will share best practices, free tools, and exercises for creating visuals regardless of your hands-on design experience. Participants should expect to interact with the instructor during the session, as well as get hands-on practice with the tools. You’ll leave more confident in your ability to spot - and make - a design without help.
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn:
- Design fundamentals, including fonts, colors, space and more
- Rules of thumb to guide photo and image use
- Free tools to make quick work of visuals, including social cards, call-outs, basic infographics, and more, on the fly
- Exercises to help you develop your visual thinking
Registration is $15 for National Press Club members and $25 for members of the public.
About the instructor
Beth Francesco wears different hats for the Institute, including editing and designing its news, marketing and fundraising materials. Before joining the Institute, Beth oversaw the nationally recognized student media operation at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she trained student journalists on design, editing, reporting, leadership, and marketing. She’s been a freelance writer, editor and consultant for numerous newspaper, magazine, and marketing agencies. She started her career as a copy editor/designer at the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times.
This workshop is part of a series of programs focused on honing your craft and career skills produced by the Institute. Upcoming sessions include:
- Career Connection: Defining your digital footprint (May 10 to 14, $75 for NPC members) —This weeklong, five-part series of daily workshops will give job-seekers the tools to jumpstart their job search.
- Pro Tips: Writing refresh (June 4, $40 for NPC members) — This 3-hour workshop for newsroom journalists includes tip-filled classes to help hit reset as they head back to their newsrooms.