Independent goes full colour

The Independent today unveiled a revamp that saw it go full colour for the first time and replace its Extra section with an "Independent Life" supplement.

Taking advantage of new full-colour presses in Oldham, Watford, Cardonald near Glasgow, and Belfast, recently appointed editor Roger Alton has introduced a colour-coding system to "ease navigation" between newspaper sections.

"The Independent has always been acclaimed for its innovative use of photography and design, and our new printing processes will allow us to maintain and surpass those high standards," Alton told readers in today's paper.

"In addition to our fresh new look, we have introduced a series of improvements to the paper's structure and content."

The former Observer editor has disposed of the daily Extra second section, replacing it with the Independent Life supplement, which he says will be more "consumer focused".

The new second section will now have a specific daily focus - on Mondays, style and beauty; Tuesdays, health and wellbeing; Wednesdays, games and gadgets; Thursdays, food and drink; and Fridays, arts and books in an extended section.

Other changes to the look of the publication include the addition of extra text styles, with new headline and labelling typefaces in the newspaper and Independent Life. However, the paper's body type remains its distinctive Benson Modern font.

The paper has also developed its quiz and game pages by adding a new daily quiz called Location, Location.

Its move to full colour follows an increase in its cover price to £1.

Speaking to MediaGuardian yesterday about his three months in the job as editor, Alton revealed that the increase in revenue would not lead to the newspaper hire additional reporting staff, saying instead it was a "protective" move in the face of the "harshest economic climate for years".

Oliver Luft
Guardian.co.uk
23rd September