It was time for a makeover. Times are changing, and so is the face of journalism. Papers are moving to the Internet, mobile devices and touch pads, and people want their information at break-neck speed.

Through a redesign, the Kernel hopes to build a stronger tie between print and the Web, while celebrating the tradition of a publication that has been around for more than a century.

The Kernel is no stranger to embracing technology; it was the first daily newspaper in Kentucky to have an app on both the iPhone and Android markets.

The Kernel has a Facebook page as well as Twitter accounts for each of its desks and editors so its readers know what’s going on as quickly as possible.

The decision to redesign was made because the paper did not reflect the growing presence online. Nothing about the nameplate set it apart from other publications, and it was beginning to look antiquated.

The new flag and index bar on the front page are only the beginning. Over the next few months, the new design will spread through the rest of the paper, leading to an overall redesign.

The Kernel celebrated its 40th year of independence this January, so it launched the redesign this month.

While the Kernel has been independent for 40 years, it wanted to remind readers that the publication has been in existence since 1892. Both dates are equally important to the Kernel and its tradition.

Readers will also notice a QR Code in the bottom left-hand side of the page. Barcode scanning apps on smartphones can scan that code and it will automatically take them to the 50.63.25.108.

In the future, these codes will be tagged on the end of stories that have additional multimedia so that readers can simply scan the code and immediately view supplementary material.

‘Like’ the Kentucky Kernel on Facebook, or follow the Kernel on Twitter @kykernel. Download the Kentucky Kernel app and the Blue Nation Blog app in the iPhone App Store and the Android Market.