Erin E. Sullivan's Blog

A very important design technique is using a grid as the foundation of your work, whether it’s print or web. According to Exploring Typography by Tova Rabinowitz, the book quotes:

Creating layouts can be made easier by using a grid, which is a framework of guidelines that form an underlying structure for the layout of a document or web site. Grids are used by designers to aid in the logical placement of design elements, to maintain consistency among related layouts, and to establish a sense of rhythm throughout a design. Using a grid streamlines the design process because it allows designers to reapply their design decisions to multiple layouts, rather than beginning a new one each time. Grids are especially helpful in saving time on large projects.

To give you several examples where we commonly see grids, they are used in websites, magazine layouts, calendars, and even term papers. When you look at a design, in most cases you do not see an actual grid, but you are definitely seeing it in the works.

There are several types of grids, but the most common of grids are single-column grids, multi-column grids, horizontal anchors, and modular grids. To help understand the visualization of these grids, I have created an interactive flash piece for you while using a screenshot of The Grid System’s home page (because, you know, they’re all about grids):

Next time you feel like creating a visually dynamic design with a grid, you do not always have to be restricted to the basic horizontal and vertical guides. Designers also use diagonal or shaped grids for their pieces, so if you do not feel like being a square for your next design do not be afraid about designing outside of the box. Just be sure that if your focus is on structure, be sure to use a grid.

For the creation of this Flash piece, credit goes to:

• The Grid System
• Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students by Ellen Lupton