Learning how to use grids?

Out of context: Reply #17

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  • bklyndroobeki0

    Good stuff from Spec
    http://spec.fm/specifics/8-pt-gr…

    8-pt Grid

    THE BASIC PRINCIPLE

    Use multiples of 8 to define dimensions, padding, and margin of both block and inline elements.
    When the only contents of a block element are text (e.g. buttons), set the text to a size consistent with the rest of your UI and/or the specific platform, then use padding to determine the size of the block element. In cases of a full-width element, use padding to determine height and a consistent horizontal margin to determine width.

    TWO METHODS

    There are actually two prominent versions of this system. One that places elements into a system-displayed grid defined in 8-point increments (we’ll call this the “Hard Grid” method) and another that simply measures 8-point increments between individual elements (we’ll call this the “Soft Grid” method).
    The primary argument for the Hard Grid method is that by using additional transparent background elements and then grouping them to small groups of foreground elements, you can keep track of margin and padding on a per-element basis and just snap these containers to the grid like bricks. Material Design - where everything is already designed to a 4pt grid - naturally conforms to this method.

    The argument for the Soft Grid method is that when it comes time to code up an interface, using an actual grid is irrelevant because programming languages don’t use that kind of grid structure - it’ll just get thrown away. When the speed at which you arrive at a high-quality, programmable set of mockups is a priority, bypassing Hard Grid’s extra overhead of managing additional layers in favor of Soft Grid’s more fluid, minimal structure can be an advantage. This also can be more favorable to iOS where many system UI elements are not defined by an even grid.

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