Grids Question
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- OSFA
I visited a school recently and spoke to a few design students. Now, they had no idea what a grid is, actually, a couple of them 'knew' the word but have never seen it or used them. So they asked and when I explained it and showed them, I think I lost them because I might have gotten a bit too technical.
How would you simply explain grids and how to set them to a person that has no clue? Are there any good resources online? Something simple or a good example? Thanks!
- orrinward0
Just explain them as a simple set of rules with regard to placement and alignment of material on a page or deliverable.
I don't really get what's not to understand...
- d_rek0
I think most grid resources do a rather poor job of helping people understand the basics of grid systems. Most approach them with fairly in-depth analysis.
I think as long as people understand that they are simply a tool to help guide the organization of content, which can be used as liberally or loosely as they choose, then that's about as basic as it gets.
I remember while I was in college our instructors kept referring us books like the Muller-Brockman one or others that approached the subject with complex analysis. I can't remember a single one of them summing up grid systems in any sort of simplified manner. And really none of those resources helped me really understand the grid any better. I think true understanding of a grid system comes from practical application of a grid - meaning that you can really only begin to understand it when you start to apply it.
- And you don't need a complex understanding of a grid system to start applying it. Understand the grid - as I said, come with experience.d_rek
- comes with experience.d_rek
- Does Muller-Brockman's book really approach the subject with complex analysis? I remember it being kind of on the simple side.ukit
- It leans heavily on math and proportion, which can be a bit overwhelming to young designers.d_rek
- yeah, Muller-Brockman is about as clear as it gets - well, the English parts ;-)kingsteven
- Miesfan0
http://www.thegridsystem.org/
http://www.noeticfront.com/blog/…
Grids are the core foundation of any design. Think of them as an invisible skeleton upon which visual content is arranged. They structure information so that the viewer can easily assimilate and retain it. They make compositions more aesthetically pleasing. They enhance user experience online.
- uan0
how about to give your students a cutted out set of paragraphs, pictures, titles, articles, aso. and let them arrange them in a FREE composition on a white sheet.
most probably they will end up with a composition that is arranged in some sort of grid.
from there on you can explain that it is normally easier to design the grid first, and the arrange your elements in it following the rules provided by the grid (=time saver).
- OSFA0
you're right on point d_rek! Every book or sample I wanted to show them was a bit too technical or began from an assumption the reader already knows a few basics.... basics these stoodents don't know!
So, I'm trying to create a little step-by-step in layman's terms so that they can understand from the beginning. Do any of you have anything like this I can use as reference or would like to help?
Do it for the kids?
- ukit0
Maybe an easy to understand analogy is the way musicians structure their work.
There's a fundamental structure to music, which can be ignored at times, but musicians are almost always working within in it to some degree. Even if you bang out a punk rock song or something, you're still playing with a constant tempo, otherwise it will be total chaos:)
In the same way, it's hard to escape using a grid when designing. Type out a few lines of copy, you already have a primitive grid of sorts created by the regularity of the repeating lines of text.
The question is, do you just fudge your way around this kind of structure or do you approach it with the precision of a serious musician by accounting for variations in type size, margins, etc? Modern graphic design is built on the idea of precision, so the default is to measure everything out mathematically. It's not the only approach, but it should be learned...
- pinkfloyd0
Show them the front of a newspaper, and how it uses a grid. A grid adds structure and a foundation to your layout, like the beams give support to a building.
- aanderton0
Get them to draw grids over different designs, magazines, newspapers etc. Draw a few yourself to show them. Discuss the benefits and what not. Get some bad examples too, showing them why the grids useful.
- OSFA0
Cool! thanks guys!! but how do I get them to set one up properly n a document? I'm trying to create a simple step-by-step.
- A bit dated...but
www.subtraction.com...Miesfan - www.subtraction.com...Miesfan
- sorry OSFA, sorry, i don't know why this not appear
pics/0703/grids_are...Miesfan - ooooomy god!!!Miesfan
- A bit dated...but
- pinkfloyd0
Maybe this
- Douglas0
just tell them to make the shit line-up.