all about grids
Learn about why we use grids, thumbnailing and wireframes
Setting your grid should be the first step in any design project. They serve as a framework that helps you organise and structure content on a page, whether it's for print or digital media. Read on for reasons why grids are important in graphic design.
what are grids used for?
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organisation and structure
By dividing a layout into a grid, you can align elements, ensuring a balanced composition.
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consistency
Grids help maintain consistency in design elements such as margins, spacing, and proportions.
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alignment
Grids assist in achieving proper alignment of text, images, and other elements.
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efficiency
Grids facilitate the efficient use of space. You can easily determine where to place elements without the need for constant guesswork.
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hierarchy
Grids help establish a clear hierarchy in a design by defining areas for primary, secondary, and tertiary content.
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adaptability
Whether the design is for a poster, a website, or a brochure, a consistent grid structure makes it simpler to scale and modify the layout.
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professionalism
The careful alignment and organisation achieved through grids contribute to a sense of order and precision in the final product.
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responsive design
With the prevalence of various devices and screen sizes, responsive design has become crucial.
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ease of collaboration
When multiple designers are working on a project or when handing off work to different team members, a consistent grid system ensures a smoother workflow.
further reading
Grid Systems in Graphic Design: Josef Mülller-Brockmann
This volume provides guidelines and rules for the function and use for grid systems from 8 to 32 grid fields which can be used for the most varied of projects, the three-dimensional grid being treated as well. Exact directions for using all of the grid systems possible presented are given to the user, showing examples of working correctly on a conceptual level. Or simply put: a guidebook from the profession for the profession. Amazon link (non-affiliate)
Layout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grids
Adhering to certain layout and grids standards and principles is important for any job from brochures, to annual reports, to posters, to websites, to publications. However, knowing how to bend the rules and make certain grids work for the job at hand takes skill. This book outlines and demonstrates basic layout/grid guidelines and rules through 100 entries including choosing a typeface, striving for rhythm and balance with type, combining typefaces, using special characters and kerning and legibility. These essentials of grid design are critical to the success of any job. Amazon link (non-affiliate)
Know Your Onions: Drew de Soto
This book is practical and immediate, without being condescending or overly technical. It is like having a graphic design mentor who will help you come up with ideas, develop your concepts, and implement them in a way that is engaging and humorous. It gives readers the experience and ability that normally comes from years of on-the-job training. All of the essential techniques of graphic design and its digital implementation are covered. Amazon link (non-affiliate)
Thinking With Type: Ellen Lupton
Thinking with Type is the definitive guide to using typography in visual communication. Ellen Lupton provides clear and focused guidance on how letters, words, and paragraphs should be aligned, spaced, ordered, and shaped. The book covers all typography essentials, from typefaces and type families, to kerning and tracking, to using a grid. Visual examples show how to be inventive within systems of typographic form, including what the rules are, and how to break them. Amazon link (non-affiliate)