It is increasingly important to take care of details on the internet. The vision we have of them and how we consume them is constantly changing. Even more so if we talk about digital newspapers, which need to reinvent themselves to become more consumed by the new generations. That is why it is an appropriate time to carry out the new redesign of El Mundo in its digital version, trying to attract the youngest.
This is necessary since, each time we read less text. We feed on information in different ways, such as through images, videos or headlines. For this reason, it is important to include all these sections in strategic areas. and give them more importance when writing an articleHow can this be? Even many will not get to read this section and will inevitably go to the part where we highlight the new redesign of The World.
Thus, for those who are still reading each of the written words, there is also a gap. Of course, we still can and should read full articles and opinion columns. But in this section we are going to focus on this design and what points have improved to achieve this objective of modernization and adaptation to the new design and consumption standards.
What is The World?
For those who don't know El Mundo. It is a Spanish newspaper with global coverage. One of the most important and most influential in Spanish society and who has a long history in the world of journalism. this newspaper was born in Madrid in 1989 by the journalist Pedro J. Ramírez. A newspaper that defines itself as liberal and that very illustrious figures have passed among its columnists over the years, such as Antonio Gala.
Its editorial line has always had an affinity with parties such as the Popular Party. But he has also supported the PSOE on some occasions, such as in the legislature of Jose Luis R. Zapatero. Currently, the board of directors of the newspaper no longer belongs to Pedro J. Ramírez. Which, since his dismissal from El Mundo, has formed another newspaper called El Español. This newspaper is only available in digital version, unlike El Mundo.
The redesign of El Mundo was born with a global ambition. It is about evolving both the web and the printed format in the same direction. And to achieve this we have a new typography.
This design change also affects the printed version of the newspaper, since they have modified the typography and the design itself. That according to the informative note of the newspaper itself, it will be exactly the same. In this way, the digital format imitates printed paper. Combining the way of reading both formats into a single and recognizable one.
Change of design and elements of The World
One of the most striking changes of this new format is the typography. This typeface, in the style of large newspapers such as the "New York Times", is proprietary. It is because of that its name is «Typography World». that divide it in different formats, from “Light” to “ExtraBold”. And they explain that this change is due to the fact that the current typography is more functional, versatile, legible and emphatic than the previous one.
But that is not the only change, they have also completely changed the structure. Giving it a more intuitive touch, better navigation and restructuring of the elements according to the importance of the news. In addition, the days of the newspapers are always long and changing, since the news arrives when it arrives. With this new redesign, you will be able to modify the cover intuitively and by blocks themed.
These blocks are also restructured. As with the Opinion Block, something that is really important to El Mundo, becomes more valuable. Since before it was located on the sides, as a small section, now it has its own central and divided block.
One size, finally, responsive
Something that is increasingly important due to the number of formats from which we can read it, was not well established by the newspaper. For those who do not know, that a page is responsive, makes it adaptable to all screens. The size of the format, which is now larger in the newspaper, since they have made the design to 20 columns, can be adapted to the screen of your phone without losing items.
If the page were not, as was the case before, the elements on the sides would be lost or you would need to make enlargement or decrease gestures on your mobile. In this way, the columns are minimized in the size where you are viewing it. So, If the current format for a 1920×1080 screen is 20 columns, we can see how it can be reduced to 6 on a mobile phone. With what the news is structured in a more vertical line.
In addition, they have added a new functionality, in the style of the "stock exchange", which they have called "Live Feed". This is nothing more than a function that rotates and shows the breaking news live. Also, in this same direction, they have added a label called "Direct". In order to know which are the news that are being followed at that moment and that will be updated as more is known.
Conclusions
The redesign of El Mundo was necessary. Other national newspapers such as El País had already done so some time ago and such important newspapers need to adapt to these changes. It is true that it arrives quite late but it is correct. Choosing your own font gives you identity. Plus it's certainly more readable than the old one. The columnar format makes it clean, but perhaps the title of each section such as "Opinion" or "Featured" should be larger so that it is visible from one.
Announcing that the new format is responsive as something new shows that they needed a change. This is something that should have been done a few years ago. The use of mobile phones is increasing, but it has been necessary for years to take this format more seriously.
Of course, once you dive into the web page to read, the letter formats are scarce. Since the headlines are all “UltraBold” or “UltraBold Italic”. And that can create a rougher structure when you're trying to search for something specific.