How To Use Grids

Designing with grids is a fundamental skill for graphic designers, as grids provide a structured framework that can help organize content in a logical, balanced, and visually appealing manner. A grid system can apply to any design medium, from print to digital. 

Layouts and grids are tools that a graphic designer may or may not use, depending on your skill level and personal preferences. Beginner designers may find it easier to work with grids. It's important to learn the basics and important key concepts, especially when starting to do graphic design. As you progress and gain advanced knowledge, skill and experience, you can break the rules depending on your medium and purpose. 

Common Components of Grids

MARGINS

You may already be familiar with margins, if you've worked in Microsoft Word. Margins are the usually empty areas of space between text and the edge of the page. Margins are very important for professional printing projects. As professional and industrial printers require margins and page bleeds when printing text.  Margins are also important because they create areas of rest for the eyes, such as when reading a book or any medium that has lots of text. Most graphic designers incorporate margins on a daily basis. 

FLOWLINES

Guiding the user across a page is helpful with flowlines which are basically the lines created when aligning the text. Flowlines can be created and used along any or all 4 sides of a text box. 

COLUMNS

Columns are the horizontal or vertical containers of text that create divisions along in print or digital medium. Columns can even vary within different pages of a pdf, book, or website, depending on how creative the information is presented. However, a designer needs to be careful when varying columns in a single project to achieve a wholesome flow. 

MODULES

Modules are simply repeated spatial areas used to seperate text groups and create an organized, yet cohesive look. Mostly used to present a series of chunks of text information.

SPATIAL ZONES

Combining modules into different groups will require the use of spatial zones. Spatial zones can be created to separate different groups of modules or groups of text. Spatial zones can be used to seperate any type of text while maintaining consistentcy.

MARKERS

Markers are symbols or icons or any type of graphic to present subordinate text, such as a list, paragraphs, or subtitles. Sometimes, markers are repeated, and sometimes different symbols  or icons are used that directly relate to the text or informaiton presented.

Guide on How to Design with Grids:

1. Understand the Purpose of Grids

Grids serve multiple purposes in design:

• Structure: They provide a skeleton for laying out elements.

• Alignment: Grids ensure elements align correctly.

• Consistency: Using a grid can lead to more cohesive, consistent designs across different pages or screens.

• Balance: They help in balancing design elements, making layouts more aesthetically pleasing.

• Rhythm: Grids can establish a visual rhythm, making content more readable and navigable.

2. Learn the Types of Grids

Different projects might require different types of grids. Familiarize yourself with these varieties:

• Column Grids: Useful for layouts with a lot of textual content, like newspapers or magazines.

• Modular Grids: These grids have consistent horizontal divisions in addition to vertical columns and are good for complex data or designs that require more flexibility.

• Baseline Grids: Primarily used for typography, ensuring that the text lines up consistently across columns and elements.

• Hierarchical Grids: These don’t follow a uniform structure and are designed based on content needs, allowing for more creative freedom.

3. Choose the Right Grid for Your Project

Consider the type of project and its content when selecting a grid system. For example, a column grid might be ideal for a magazine layout, while a modular grid could be better for a website with various types of content.

4. Define Your Margins and Columns

Start by defining the margins of your design to ensure that content is not too close to the edges, improving readability and aesthetic appeal. Then, decide on the number of columns; common choices include 12, 16, or 24 for web design, as they offer flexibility in creating varied layouts.

5. Establish Gutters and Alleys

Gutters are the spaces between columns, while alleys are the spaces between rows in a modular grid. These spaces help to separate and define the different areas of content, making your design easier to navigate.

6. Use Grids to Align Elements

Place design elements such as text, images, and buttons in relation to the grid lines. This alignment ensures that the design is balanced and cohesive.

7. Break the Grid Thoughtfully

Once comfortable with grid-based design, you can start to creatively break the grid. This technique involves intentionally placing elements outside the grid to create visual interest or highlight specific content. However, this should be done sparingly and thoughtfully to avoid creating a chaotic design.

8. Iterate and Experiment

Designing with grids is an iterative process. Experiment with different grid structures and layouts to see what works best for your content. Use software that allows for easy adjustments, like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign for print designs, and Sketch or Figma for web and UI designs.

9. Practice and Analyze

The best way to improve your grid-based design skills is through practice and analysis. Create mock projects, experiment with different grids, and analyze designs you admire to understand how they utilize grids.

10. Consider the Medium and Final Output

Always consider the medium (print, web, mobile) and the specifications of the final output while designing with grids. For instance, responsive web design requires a flexible grid that adjusts to different screen sizes.

Grids are Helpful but Not Required

Grids are a powerful tool in the hands of a graphic designer, providing a foundation upon which to build solid, well-organized, and visually appealing designs. While grids can greatly enhance the structure and coherence of a design, the ultimate goal is to serve the content and the user’s experience. By mastering grid-based design, you can create work that is both beautiful and functional, meeting the needs of the project while also engaging the viewer. This is especially useful for the novice graphic designer.

As a graphic designer gains experience, they become less dependent on formally thinking about certain processes or design ways of thinking. In some cases, depending on the project, a novice or experienced designer may choose to not use any of these elements and still achieve a beautiful graphic design that accomplishes the purpose. 

It can be helpful to use these concepts, but as a creative graphic designer, you may break the rules if it accomplishes the goal and purpose of the piece while also making the design aesthetically pleasing and within the project requirements.