Designing on a grid
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This document discusses layout and design principles for publications. It explains that layout involves arranging graphic elements like images, illustrations and text on pages. Documents usually have multiple pages and are designed using tools like InDesign. Print publications need to consider standard paper sizes and binding methods. Consistency in elements like fonts, colors and positioning helps readers understand the publication style and information flow. Grids with guidelines and anchors allow for consistency while avoiding boredom. Readability depends on factors such as line length, contrasting images and text, font selection and use of uppercase. Special terminology is used to describe magazine elements. Bleeds and prepress preparation are also important considerations for layout.
![QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Magazine “Vocabulary”
headline
deck
Pull-quote
Initial Cap
Body copy
]Gutter[
] [ alley](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/designonagrid-150627072812-lva1-app6892/85/Designing-on-a-grid-8-320.jpg)
![Points and Picas
Pages are measured in picas (column width).
Fonts are measured in points.
12 points = 1 pica
6 picas = 1 inch
Type Traits
Kerning: space between characters
Leading: space between lines of type
Tracking: space between words+characters
(how a line of text is spaced out at the PARAGRAPH level)
Em: one character space based on the font’s letter “M”
(for instance, hyphens are 1/2-em widths [also called “ens”]; dashes
are whole ems (2 hyphens)…or an editor may specify using a 2-en
[ie. 1-em dash])](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/designonagrid-150627072812-lva1-app6892/85/Designing-on-a-grid-12-320.jpg)
Designing on a grid
- 1. What is Layout? Document/Page Design The placement of graphic elements (images, illustrations, drawings, and text) in a presentation of pages. It most often refers to document design. Documents usually have multiple pages. InDesignisaDesktopPublishingTool.
- 2. Print Issues • Print publication (book/magazine/newspaper/ newsletter)formats are based on standard flat sheet paper size, folded, bound, or saddle-stitched. • Examples: • 11 x 17 sheet double-fold (either 4 or 8 page newsletter) • 8 x 11 magazine in signatures (groups of 8½ pages) • Decisions made about format affect cost • Printers create in signatures of 8 pages or a codex of 16.
- 3. Consistency A pattern is established for the: • Copy: headings/body text/captions/page numbers/pull- outs/decks, etc. (including font, size, and style) • Color scheme: for rules, boxes, perhaps headlines, sidebars • Arrangement: positioning/location (and size) of images, blocks of text, and negative space on the page Consistencyprovidesvisualcueswhichhelpthereaderto1)recognizethepublicationstyleand2) followtheflowofinformation.
- 4. ∀Grids are standard practice in publishing. ∀Guidelines can be set up in InDesign to indicate your grid pattern. ∀Vertical lines indicate columns of text. ∀Two, three and four column grids are typically used. ∀Items (including photos/art/heads) may span one or more columns, but will fill the full width of the columns (not go halfway). ∀Anchors are the guidelines that indicate horizontal lines in a grid from which elements “hang” or rest. Grids, Guidelines, and Anchors Agridallowsconsistencywithoutboringthereader.
- 6. Readability • The human eye is most comfortable taking in 35 to 45 characters in a single line of type. This often rules out using a one-column grid. • Don’t put blocks of text (body copy) over images with lots of contrast. Avoid “reverse” type. • Remember colors are made up of screen combinations. Colors other than CYMK for text are “pixelated” and harder to read. • Avoid use of TOO many fonts (style clutter). • Serif fonts are easier to read than sans serif. • Roman (normal) is easier to read than italic or bold. • Upper and lower case is easier to read than all caps. Reserve all caps for SHORT headings. • Save specialty fonts for special instances/artistic expression.
- 7. Magazine “Vocabulary” QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. standing head headline subhead offset lead-in sidebar Pull-quote caption
- 8. QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. Magazine “Vocabulary” headline deck Pull-quote Initial Cap Body copy ]Gutter[ ] [ alley
- 9. QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. Magazine “Vocabulary” headline Deck 1 Pull-quote (in reverse type) Initial Cap Body copy Photo Credit Byline Deck 2 Photo Bleed
- 10. Bleeds, etc. • It is important to keep in mind that what may be an easy trial and error process for printing at home becomes a costly transaction once it moves outside of your control to other working professionals. • For this reasons, further study should include not only mastery of the specific program you have chosen to work with but also more detailed information concerning prepress preparation and printing technologies.
- 11. QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. SIDEBAR SIDEBAR
- 12. Points and Picas Pages are measured in picas (column width). Fonts are measured in points. 12 points = 1 pica 6 picas = 1 inch Type Traits Kerning: space between characters Leading: space between lines of type Tracking: space between words+characters (how a line of text is spaced out at the PARAGRAPH level) Em: one character space based on the font’s letter “M” (for instance, hyphens are 1/2-em widths [also called “ens”]; dashes are whole ems (2 hyphens)…or an editor may specify using a 2-en [ie. 1-em dash])
- 13. People prefer organized visual information • When all text in an article has a consistent look, including column width, it enhances readability. • Readers expect oft-repeated info (such as page #s, sidebars, informational text, captions) in the same location on each page.
- 14. Even Corporate Marketers Have Grid Standards • As does any advanced institution such as UM… QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.
- 15. • Grids can unify a series of documents with varied content
- 16. The Grid • Grids speed layout by taking guesswork out of design consistency • A consistent grid makes it easier for the designer to provide the continuity readers expect. • However, a good grid system also allows you to introduce variations without forsaking readability or consistency.
- 17. Flexibility • A grid unit can be incremental--display text and photos aren’t bounded by a single column width,for example, but may extend across 2 or 3. The continuity is achieved with an “invisible” line of alignment with text. QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.