World’s Best Designed

This is the highest honor that can be awarded to a publication or publications during the SND Creative Competition. The judging panel evaluates publications based on writing, visual storytelling, photography, headlines, use of resources, execution, voice and overall design from three complete editions. This honor is awarded outside of other categories where entries are in consideration for Awards of Excellence, Silver and Gold Medals.

Best in Show

This is the highest honor that can be awarded to a single entry during the SND Creative Competition. All Gold Medal winners are considered for this award at the conclusion of judging. Only one Best in Show may be given and 75 percent of the judging panel must agree in order for a Best in Show to be awarded. This is granted to the best single entry among all categories, apart from entries considered for World’s Best Designed.

Gold Medal

Granted for work that clearly stands out even among Silver Medal winners. It should be nearly impossible to find anything deficient in a gold-winning entry. These entries will define the state of the art. 

Silver Medal

Granted for work that rises above excellence. The Silver Medal can be given for work that represents an elevated level of execution, originality of concept or high-end work done with a high degree of difficulty. Even among Award of Excellence winners, these entries should shine.

Award of Excellence

Granted for truly excellent work, going beyond mere technical or aesthetic competency. It honors outstanding entries for such things as being daring and innovative, even if they are less than 100 percent in every respect.

Judges’ Special Recognition

This honor can be awarded by a team of judges or by all judges for work that is outstanding in a particular respect not necessarily singled out by the Award of Excellence, Silver or Gold medals. It has been granted for such things as use of photography, use of informational graphics and use of typography throughout a body of work. This body of work may be a particular publication, a section or section by an individual or staff. The special recognition does not supplant any Award of Excellence, Silver or Gold medal and should be seen as an adjunct.

The Best of Print News Design Competition Committee includes 12 journalists from newsrooms across the United States. The committee oversees the direction of each year’s competition, selecting judges, facilitating the judging and maintaining the call for entries. There are also more than 20 volunteers to keep things running smoothly during judging weekend. 

Greg Mees of the Star Tribune is Chair of SND Creative Competition’s Best of Print News Design and Josh Jones of the Star Tribune is the 43rd Best of Print News Design Competition Coordinator.

The Best of Print News Design Competition Committee includes: Chris Rukan, Washington Post; Tyler Remmel, Washington Post; Virginia Singarayar, Washington Post; Anna Hyzy, New York Times; Adam Rogers, Villages Daily Sun; Jon Wile, American City Business Journals; Vince Chiramonte, American City Business Journals; Shaun Martin, American City Business Journals; Catie Peterson, American City Business Journals; Steve Zimmerman, Star Tribune 

This year’s volunteers include: Becky Markovitz, Gannett and SND Board President; Tara McCarty, Washington Post and SND Board member; Greicy Mella, New York Times; Talia Trackim, Washington Post; Stacie Kammerling, Star Tribune; Nicole Vas, Los Angeles Times; Allison Hong, Los Angeles Times; Shelby Custer, Gannett; Robin Jones, Gannett; Courtney Seanor, Gannett; Patty Pitts, Gannett; Amy Stanfield, Gannett; KC Schaper, Gannett; and Brad Needham.