Making schedules and standings look interesting

I'm working without an Art Director for the first time, and I'm trying to figure out a way to make schedules and standings less abysmally dull to look at.

Anyone have any suggestions or examples you could point me to?

 

Definitely use an agate type ... somewhere in the neighborhood of an 8-point font or less, as well as a sans serif font.

One way to add a little jazz without getting clunky is to add reverse color (or B&W) bars to alternating rows within the schedule/standings.

Or be simple and just add a color or B&W box behind the schedule/standings to make it stand out.

 

Follow your instict and always put Notre Dame at the top.

 

Now that's an idea!

In all seriousness, though, if you have a lot of room to work with, thumbnail size logos are something I find attractive.

 

In all seriousness, check this out:

http://apse.dallasnews.com/2006/dec2006/120306hoppes.html

 

I like it when the conference standings have a little breakout box on the end that gives an explanation of what it all means. Same goes for schedules, you highlight the top game in that conference for that week.
Gives people a reason to keep reading and also adds for some context.

 

One thing I try to do if I'm using standings as something more than agate is to create a strong hierarchy -- in other words, strong bold versus light.

Our main agate font is Poynter Regular Condensed. On the agate page, bold is Poynter Bold Condensed. But if I'm breaking out standings on a regular page, I might change the boldface stuff to Bendon Black, really make it stand out.

Same thing for schedules ... put the school names in mega-bold.