Uncorked: Weekly’s new looks

If you see looks as only skin deep, this week’s Uncorked may seem superficial. A view, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder – and the view which follows is about looks.

Not my looks, mind you, or any other person’s. I know I have a face for radio which begs indulgence in print; far be it from me in my sugar-glass house to throw rock candy!

The subject is Marlborough Weekly. The editions on racks today – in your hand, should you read us in paper form – reveals the first elements refreshing our page design.

If you have not noticed a difference, no need to rush to the optometrist, at least not on our account. (Though, if you planned to get your sight checked anyway…) The shifts are subtle; thus, the term “refresh” instead of “redesign” in our vision.

This issue rolls out new typefaces – serif fonts – and new styles for breaking out information boxes and highlighted quotations. We also indent the start of paragraphs which, at least to my eyes, enhances readability.

We have a few other adjustments queued up; these are a bit larger, a bit more conspicuous, yet still refinements over reinvention. (If you crave a hint: Look higher rather than lower on pages.)

In a way, changes we made in late summer – to headline packages, photo displays, article placements – were more dramatic than the refreshments. Past is prologue, the saying goes, and our process proved a prelude to collaboration across sibling publications.

If you like what you see: Credit our designer, her colleagues and our publisher.
If you don’t: Blame the editor who stirred the pot.
Either way: Thank you for reading, and please let me know what you think!

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