This just in from the Los Angeles Times:

To: The Staff
From: Dean Baquet

I am pleased to announce that Joe Hutchinson has been named Creative Director of the paper, a newly created masthead position that reports directly to the editor.

This title captures the special role Joe plays as the editor in charge of the overall design of the paper and the editing of graphics. It is also an acknowledgment of how far the paper's design has come since Joe arrived five years ago and created the current system of design. The Times won 79 awards in the Society for News Design competition this year, the most won by any single publication.

Beyond awards, Joe has made design an integral part of the life of The Times.

In recent months Joe has overseen a dramatic redesign of the magazine, which will be re-launched early next year. He is also working on a redesign of the front page. In addition to working closely with me on future projects, Joe will continue to play a major role in the daily paper.

This announcement, and other recent leadership changes, will be reflected in tomorrow's masthead.

>Hutchinson Freed Up From Design and Graphics Oversight [8.24.05]
>Bill Gaspard Resigns [9.03.05]
>Gaspard Speaks About His Resignation [9.05.05]
>Melissa McCoy Named DME Over Design and Graphics Desks [11.11.05]

*Update: Also, L.A. Observed reports that the two-year-old Outdoors section will disappear after Dec. 6.