Grids And Layout

Grids and Layout

Grids are the skeleton that a layout is built upon. This helps organisation, readability, to produce the piece easier and quicker, easier for collaboration, easier to balance the design, creates an easy to make multi-page layout with consistency, enhances visual hierarchy, creates a starting point for your design and can be used to break the rules for impact. There is a full anatomy to a grid:

Format - the full area/space for all the elements.

Margin - space between the content and the edge.

Flowlines - to line up the text correctly.

Modules - space between the vertical and horizontal gutters

Spacial Zones - multiple modules

Columns - vertical spacial zones

Rows - horizontal spacial zones

Gutters - spaces between the rows and columns. And making them equal creates visual balance

There are also types of grid:

Baseline - consistent typography size and leading. Mostly used for novels.

Manuscript - a large rectangular area which is good for continuous elements of text. A narrow box means a focus on the eye.

Column - useful for pull quotes and they could be regular or irregular for variations.

Modular - vertical and horizontal divisions. Useful for small chunks of information and to create spacial zones.

Hierarchical - Loose and organic grids which create more freedom and can unify different elements.

Pixel - useful for design on screen.

This lecture was useful by showing me key types of grids and layouts which I can refer to in my practice now and in the future to create successful editorial layouts.