Grids in Graphic Design
Grids are everywhere. We typically think of grids as those lines in our design software, but there’s so much more to an effective grid system. A great grid give
s your design a solid foundation that invites the user’s eye to flow naturally, while creating a pleasant visual experience.
Your ideal design just popped into your head. Now what? How do you go about actually bringing it to life?
According to Josef Müller-Brockmann’s book “Grid Systems in Graphic Design,” a well-designed grid system can increase design efficiency and clarity by up to 200%. To maintain a positive user experience, it’s imperative that your grid structure is logical, easy to implement, and flexible enough to accommodate various design elements.
So – What is a Grid System?
A grid system is like the skeleton of your design – it’s not always visible, but it gives structure and support to everything else. It’s a series of intersecting lines (vertical, horizontal, or both) that divide your design space into columns, rows, and margins. These divisions create a framework that helps you organize and align elements in your design.
The Foundation of Effective Design
A grid is a system for organizing layout. It provides a framework that brings order to chaos, guiding the eye and creating a pleasant visual experience. But don’t mistake grids for rigid constraints – they’re flexible tools that can dramatically enhance your design’s impact.
According to the Nielsen Norman Group, designs with clear visual hierarchy and structure can improve user comprehension. This is where grids shine, offering a systematic approach to creating hierarchy and structure.
What are the Different Types of Grids?
While there are numerous grid types, let’s dive into six of the most commonly used in modern design:
- Column Grid: The workhorse of editorial design, perfect for magazines and websites. This grid divides the page into vertical columns, offering flexibility while still providing structure. You can use a single column for a simple layout, or multiple columns for more complex designs.
- Modular Grid: Offers maximum flexibility, ideal for complex layouts with diverse content. This grid type combines columns with horizontal divisions, creating a matrix of cells or “modules”. Modular grids are often used in newspaper layouts and complex web designs.
- Baseline Grid: Great for text-heavy designs. This grid type is all about vertical rhythm. It’s based on the leading (line spacing) of your body text, creating horizontal guidelines that text sits on.
- Hierarchical Grid: This grid type is all about organizing content based on importance. It doesn’t necessarily follow a strict column or row structure but instead creates a series of zones on the page. Each zone is sized and positioned according to the importance of its content. This type of grid is often used in web design, where different elements (like navigation, main content, sidebars) need to be arranged in order of importance.
- Manuscript Grid: Also known as a single-column grid, this is the simplest grid structure. It’s essentially a single rectangle on the page, often used for long passages of text like in books or single-column blog posts.
- Compound Grid: This is a complex grid type that combines two or more grid structures. For example, you might overlay a modular grid on top of a column grid. This allows for incredible flexibility and can create visually interesting layouts.
Each type serves different purposes and can be adapted to suit various design needs. For instance, the New York Times website uses a flexible compound grid that combines aspects of column and modular grids, adapting seamlessly from desktop to mobile and ensuring a consistent reading experience across devices.
How to Set-up a Grid
While specific setup steps vary by software, some universal principles apply:
- Define your canvas size and margins. This is your starting point – consider the medium your design will be viewed on and any printing requirements.
- Determine the number of columns (and rows for modular grids). This decision should be based on the complexity of your content and the flexibility you need. Remember, more isn’t always better – sometimes a simple 3-column grid can be more effective than a complex 12-column one.
- Set your gutter widths. Gutters are the spaces between columns. They’re needed for readability and visual separation. A good rule of thumb is to start with gutters that are about 20% of your column width.
- Establish a baseline for typography. If you’re using a baseline grid, this step is crucial. Start with your body text size and leading, and use this to set up your baseline grid.
The goal is to create a structure that guides your design decisions, not to constrain creativity. Your grid should be a helpful tool, not a rigid cage. As you become more comfortable with grids, you’ll find yourself naturally adapting and customizing them to suit your specific design needs.
When to Rebel Against the Grid
Understanding grids also means knowing when to break them. Designer David Carson is renowned for his chaotic, grid-breaking layouts that defined 90s graphic design. His work for Ray Gun magazine showed that breaking grid conventions can create powerful, emotive designs.
Effective grid-breaking requires a deep understanding of grid principles. It’s about making conscious decisions to deviate for specific effects, not ignoring structure altogether. Here are a few scenarios where breaking the grid might be appropriate:
- To create emphasis: Breaking out of the grid can draw attention to a particular element.
- To convey a specific mood: A broken grid can create a sense of energy, rebellion, or chaos.
- For creative expression: Sometimes, artistic vision requires stepping outside the lines.
- To improve functionality: In some cases, strict adherence to a grid might hinder usability.
Breaking the grid should be a deliberate choice, not a result of poor planning or lack of skill. The most effective grid-breaking comes from designers who understand grid systems and choose to deviate for specific reasons.
Get Griddy
Grids are more than just design tools – they’re the foundation of effective visual communication. Whether you’re designing a magazine spread, a website, or a brand identity, understanding and effectively using grids can elevate your work from good to exceptional.
Challenge yourself to explore different grid systems. Analyze the grids behind designs you admire.
In the words of famous designer Massimo Vignelli, “The grid is an integral part of book design. It’s not something that you see. It’s just like underwear: you wear it, but it’s not to be exposed.”
So, are you ready to harness the power of grids in your designs?
