We're making good on our word to have the new Spokesman-Review style guide available. A word of warning: It's a big pdf file (35mb), so you may want to go grab a cool beverage as you wait for it to download. Click here.

The new book is currently in its ninth or so draft, which means it's constantly evolving (as good style guides should when new things are introduced). It's a dynamic document on the paper's intranet so anyone can see it in HTML format, or download it for a quick reference in print.

Some things, like the color palette, are new for the new design, while some bedrock philosophies are just good ideas anytime. Try these from the book's preface:

1. Simplicity. Use fewer colors, fewer typefaces, fewer secondary photos. Let the content shine through.

2. Write strong headlines and cutlines. These are the most important words in your newspaper.

3. Focus on alternative story forms. Ask, "How could we tell this story in a new way?"

4. Use white space. Let it frame your best story on the page.