Richard Curtis, famously known for being among the first designers of “ the look and feel of USA TODAY,” died at 75 on Sunday. He helped revolutionize newspapers in the 18th century with graphics and color photography.
Curtis was ill from cancer. He quietly died at his home surrounded by his family. According to the Director of “USA TODAY graphics and photography department,” Curtis had a dream of being “distinctive” in the emerging and overcrowded mass media industry.
“You can look at a USA TODAY page anywhere, anytime, and it looks like a USA TODAY page whether it has the name of the paper on it or not,” a statement by Curtis five years ago. “You can’t say that about other newspapers.”
His colleagues portrayed him as a hardworking person who helped out where he could and loved doing it. “Today’s readers – especially younger generations – see the narrative as the addendum and visual journalism as the core,” Curtis argued, “is the reporting that goes on behind it.”
Curtis graduated from “North Carolina State University’s College of Design.” After his studies, he was active, and his hard work got him recognized by newspaper companies. Before becoming a worker at “USA TODAY,” he worked at St. Petersburg and Baltimore newspapers.
“Richard had a profound impact on journalism and the journalists who worked with him,” said Nicole Carroll. “He was a visionary.
His work, his ambition, and his spirit live on in our newsroom and the pages of USA TODAY.” He co-founded” the society for news design ” in 1979. Curtis hired Nicole as a graphics reporter in 1995.
Journalists from the “USA TODAY” and other media houses sent their condolences messages to his family. “He gave it his all,” said Mario. “The work Richard carried out at USA TODAY convinced journalists that a story could be better when words and visuals come together.”
“I remember him saying, ‘if the graphic doesn’t tell a story and add value, it will not run,” said Dash Parham.
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