THE INFLUENCE OF COVER DESIGN GRAPHICS ON NEWSPAPER READERSHIP AMONG UYO RESIDENTS

THE INFLUENCE OF COVER DESIGN GRAPHICS ON NEWSPAPER READERSHIP AMONG UYO RESIDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

          Man’s first attempt at communication was probably a combination of facial expression, physical postures and gestures. To be able to externalize their feelings and needs, people first used such primitive forms and models as (i) Idiophone or self sending media instrument like wooden drum, bells and gongs (ii) Membrenophone or vibrated media instrument which include all classes of skin drum (iii) Others are symbolography or sign and symbol writing like the NSIBIDI (secret writing among cultic groups in the eastern Nigeria) or convey human thought and expression (Omu, 1978:2)

When the value of writing became apparent people started writing first on stone and clay tablets. It graduated to papyrus and parchment scrolls. The advent of paper, the modern alphabet and the invention of immovable type  printing in the Late 1440’s  was a great step in the spreading of written communication. As time went on there were books, magazines and newspaper as organs of early mass communication.

Designs are made to assist the reade4r to grasp the message. A good design is not that which uses the boxes, colours and fancy typography, but that which impels the readers to take notice and wish to read. Obviously the style of presentation must be related to the newspaper format as well as the content. The layout and design of a newspaper is completely different from that of magazine.

To achieve quality design in newspaper production, contrast, harmony and rhythm must be properly used. The readers are properly the major factor in determining what is communicated, therefore to obtain a favorable response from those in control of the business must influence or find out the masses want to see and admire. It is documented that the main purpose of newspaper design is of course to improve communication to get more people to read more of the newspaper (Moen, 1984).

Newspaper is an important part of communication such as Punch, the Guardian and Vanguard help to inform, educate and entertain their readers.

HISTORY OF PUNCH NEWSPAPER

The Punch newspaper stated as Sunday publication on March, 1973 as a weekly newspaper on Sunday June 3^rd, 1984 with motto “towards a better life for the people”.

The Punch newspaper was founded by two friends James Aboderin, an accountant and Sam Amuka, a columnist and editor, then serving with the Daily time of Nigeria, with the Slogan “Conscience nurtured by truth, published by Ajibola Ogunsola. Sam Amuka became the first editor of the Sunday punch.

HISTORY OF VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

Vanguard newspaper is a newspaper published by Vanguard media, based in Lagos, Nigeria. Vanguard newspaper media was established in 1983 by Veteran journalist Sam Amuka – Pemu, with slogan “Toward a better  life for the people”.

In 1990,  the paper was briefly suspended by Col. Raji Rasak, military Governor of Lagos State.

Over the years of the paper’s existence, five editors have overseen its Daily editorial matters, these editors are: