GETTING STARTED

ELEMENTS OF A GRID

1. Know the Components

The main components of a grid are margins, columns, markers, flowlines, spatial zones, and modules. Starting a new project can be hard. Begin with your content, then set up your margins and columns. You'll need to make adjustments. Just start.

COLUMNS [A] are vertical containers that hold type or images. The width and number of columns on a page or screen can vary, depending on the content.

MODULES [B] are individual divisions separated by consistent space, providing a repeating, ordered grid. Combining modules can create columns and rows of varying sizes.

MARGINS [C] are buffer zones. They represent the amount of space between the trim size, including gutter, and the page content. Margins can also house secondary information, such as notes and captions.

SPATIAL ZONES [D] are groups of modules or columns that can form specific areas for type, ads, images, or other information.

FLOWLINES [E] are alignments that break space into horizontal bands. Not actual lines, flowlines are a method for using space and elements to guide a reader across a page.

MARKERS [X] help a reader navigate a document. Indicating placement for material that appears in the same location, markers include page numbers, running heads and feet (headers and footers), and icons.

BASIC GRID DIAGRAMS

2. Learn the Basic Structures

Although the diagrams below show common structures, there are additional variations on the basic configurations. The multicolumn grids of newspapers and their sites extend beyond three columns to five or more.

A SINGLE-COLUMN GRID is generally used for continuous running text, such as essays, reports, or books. The block of text is the main feature on the page, spread, or device screen.

A TWO-COLUMN GRID can be used to control a lot of text or to present different kinds of information in separate columns. A double- column grid can be arranged with columns of equal or unequal width. In ideal proportions, when one column is wider than the other, the wider column is double the width of the narrow column.

MULTICOLUMN GRIDS afford greater flexibility than single- or two-column grids, combine multiple columns of varying widths and are useful for magazines and websites.

MODULAR GRIDS are best for controlling the kind of complex information seen in newspapers, calendars, charts, and tables. They combine vertical and horizontal columns, which arrange the structure into smaller chunks of space.

HIERARCHICAL GRIDS break the page into zones. Many hierarchical grids are composed of horizontal columns. Some magazines organize contents pages horizontally. L For ease and efficiency, many devices break material into horizontal bands.

START BY ASKING

• What is the material? Is it complicated?

• How much of it is there?

• What is the goal?

• Who is the reader/browser/user?

DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE GRID

3. Assess the Material

Content, margins, amount of imagery, desired number of pages, screens, and panels all factor into deciding how to set up a grid. Above all, the content determines the structure of the grid. The grid you use depends on each specific design problem, but below are some general guidelines:

• Use a SINGLE-COLUMN GRID when working with continuous text, such as an essay or a book. A single column of text can seem less intimidating and more luxurious than multiple columns, making it suitable for art books or catalogs.

• For more complicated material, TWO-COLUMN or MULTICOLUMN grids afford flexibility. Columns that can be further broken into two provide the greatest number of variations. Multicolumn grids are used for websites to manage a huge range of information that includes stories, videos, and ads.

• For a lot of information, such as that in a calendar or schedule, a MODULAR grid helps to arrange units of information into manageable chunks. A mocular grid can also be applied to newspapers, which have many zones of information.

• HIERARCHICAL grids divide pages or screens HORIZONTALLY andaré often useful for simple websites, in which chunks of information are ordered, to provide easier reading while scrolling down a page.

All grids create order, and all involve planning and math. Whether a designer is working in pixels, picas, or millimeters, the key to the rational order of a grid is making sure the numbers add up.

FORMATTING TEXT

4. Do the Math

Consider the main text first and analyze the project's complexity — most projects have restrictions, such as size, number of pages, and colors. When paying attention to the content, also factor in any project criteria.

Once you know the sizes of the page or screen and your basic text, figure out how the elements fit on the page. If you're working wit ft text only, you can fit your text into the allotted number of pages. If you also need to include images, headings, boxes, or charts, first determine the amount of space needed for the text. The remainder is the amount of space left for imagery, charts, and other information. Often, you will need to simultaneously calculate numbers for all elements.

When you have determined the basic approach to the material and its fit, you can dive into the details of headings and hierarchies. See next principle.)

TYPOGRAPHY TIPS

Type's texture springs from size, space, width, and line breaks. Consistent color of running copy is easy for the reader to follow. If the text is lengthy, it must be large enough, with enough leading (space between the lines), to support an easy reading experience. If the columns are narrow, avoid gappy word spaces, by either setting type small or, alternatively, flush left, unjustified right.

Because different typefaces set differently, there is no perfect criterion for type sizes For instance, 10 pt. Helvetica looks a lot bigger than 1 Opt. Garamond. With the exception of the words Helvetic and Garamonhe, the bulk of this paragraph is set in 8 point Interstate with 4.5 points of space...