Attracting younger readers is a major challenge for publishers globally.

When publishers talk younger readers they are usually referring to those 25-35 years of age. Lately, however, publishers have gone to where much younger readers are, such as Instagram and Snapchat.

The New York Times takes the challenge to a platform that we usually no longer relate to the very young: print.

In May 2017 The Times launched a monthly Kids section dedicated to content for young readers.

It has been well received and I rejoice thinking that young eyes and hands land on this printed product and savour the enjoyment of reading a printed publication—the contact with paper, the very lean back experience it allows.

The first Kids section, which debuted in May 2017, was so well received by young readers that The Times decided to make it a monthly feature of the newspaper. It appears with the Sunday edition of the newspaper.

I usually mention the Kids section in my seminars and workshops, and many of you have expressed an interest in seeing it, and ask questions about its content, which is inspired by the sections of The Times, including sports, national news, food, opinion and arts. The very colorful and energized section design and art direction is by Debra Bishop, overseen by the The Times Sunday Magazine’s design director, Gail Bichler. The section has a dedicated editor and feature a visually engaging mix of news, illustrations, photography and how-to’s meant to engage young readers.

Take a look at the Feb. 25 edition of The Times’ Kids

Society of News Design New York: Celebrating 40 years

The Society for News Design’s 40th Anniversary Workshop, Creative Conference and Awards Gala will be in New York City, March 22–24.

Workshop chair Tyson Evans, of The New York Times, and an army of volunteers are organizing three packed days of talks, training, networking and inspiration about the future (and past) of storytelling, visual journalism and news products across print and digital.

Speakers announced so far include Scott Stowell, proprietor of Open and winner of the National Design Award for Communication Design; Jennifer Daniel, of Google; John Maeda, of Automattic and visual journalists from The New York Times, Washington Post, Axios, Vice, ProPublica and more.

I am honored to be one of the speakers.

If you would like to attend what promises to be one of the best SND gatherings ever, please go here for more information:

https://nyc.snd.org