Missouri Design Professor Helps Newspaper Win Distinguished Design Award

Columbia, Mo. (April 1, 2005) -- Rick Shaw, an assistant professor and director of photography for the Columbia Missourian, helped his former newspaper earn a distinguished design award.

Tom Warhover Newspaper Journalism Chair

Rick Shaw

The Hartford (Conn.) Courant was the only American paper to be named one of the World's Best Designed Newspapers of 2005, an award given out by the Society for News Design. Shaw served as director of design and graphics for the Courant before joining the Missouri School of Journalism in 2004.

The winners of this award excel in design, page design, photography, illustration and color use. The Courant has a circulation of about 250,000 and possesses an understated style of elegance. The paper also received the award in 2001.

Shaw worked at the Courant for four years. He said that he was able to work with a group of very talented journalists, people who had a lot of experience in the visual department.

"I'm excited, but not surprised that the Courant had received the award," Shaw said. "The Courant stands out because of its simplicity and elegance and also its dedication to content."

"Rick Shaw rocks," said Tom Warhover, executive editor of the Missourian. "Rick's vision of visual journalism has impacted this newspaper, and our students, since the day he arrived. He has helped all of us, not just photojournalists, become better."