Grids

 

 

Grids provide the structural framework for a layout of a magazine article or blog post. Grids should not limit the design of the post or affect the creative aspects within the post. Using grids are very important in the success of the documents design, especially for documents containing both text and graphics. Through always starting your design project with a grid layout it will be easier to have a consistent look through the magazine or blog post thus creating visual harmony. Without a grid to start graphic elements will not work well together.   

Types of Grids

Two-column grids:
These are mainly used in books, newsletters and narrow publications where the width of the column is limited. This type of grid works well with a simple layout. Although in a wider publication the use of a two-column grid can make it uncomfortable for reading.

Three-column grids:
This type of grid works best for a majority of layouts including wide publications. When using this grid, it works best in publications which don't have a complex arrangement of the text and images.
Three-column grids are a lot more flexible than the two-column grids as the text and images can be spread over all the columns or less. This grid also has an alternative in the three-row grid which is good in use for tri-fold brochures.

Manuscript grids:
Also known as a block grid or single column grid.
This is the simplest grid structure which consists of a large rectangular area that takes up a lot of space in the publication itself. This would be used well with extensive and continuous blocks of text. It is mainly seen in books or large essays, as this grid isn't limited to text space and if there is space images can be used to fill it.

The Gutter:
This is the blank space between the two facing pages in magazines or newspapers. The use of this extra space is to accommodate the binding in publications.

The 2 main types of layouts in publications are portrait or landscape.
The 2 main types of grids are even number of columns grids or odd number of columns grids.

When choosing a grid you need to consider whether or not the document is mostly images or text.
With lots of text and few images, the use of a simple two or three-column grid is advised.
So when there are lots of images it is advised to use a four or more column grid.
Use a grid with a sidebar column when the publication includes a lot of notes, pull quotes or other information or if there is a lot of headings and subheadings within the document.
With a more complex document which may be a mix of both text and graphics, it would be better to use grids with more columns or rows but be careful not to make the publication look too complex.
If the document is a newsletter is would be better to use simple column based layouts due to the amount of text. Although with more sophisticated publications such as illustrated books more columns would be needed.