The Grid System

A brief visual introduction to grids for graphic designers and typographers.

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Margins: The space that separates the content from the edge of the page. Flowlines: Alignments that break the space into horizontal bands. Columns: Vertical divisions of space on a page. Rows: A series of flowlines that create horizontal divisions of space on a page. Gutters: Space that separates rows and columns or two facing pages. Modules: Individual units of space created from intersecting rows and columns. Spatial Zones: Groups of modules that cross multiple rows and columns.

This is a simple grid.

This is a more complex grid.

Grids are used to create consistent order and alignment of elements.

Grids give us the freedom to create an infinite number of compositions, to retain consistency while creating variation, to design using logic and reason rather than haphazardly. We create the grids and we can refine them as we develop our designs. They can have an even number of columns, an odd number, many or few, but once you commit to a grid you must adhere to the rules.

Hanglines create consistent vertical placement of type.

Usually youll have a hangline for headline copy and another for body copy. Headline placement should be established on the cover, while others are established as the content presents itself.

Text fields must fit within the inner edge of one column to the inner edge of another.
For body copy you want to choose a combination of type size and column width that is not too short or too long. A rule of thumb for determining ideal length of text is 9-12 words per line. Lines that are too long cause the reader to lose their place. Lots of copy that has short lines make the reader jump from line to line too much. If using justified alignment for text, more words help decrease the forced spacing between characters caused by filling the column width. This provides more consistent tracking.

Grids can be any number of columns, but choose a grid that is manageable.
Grids can be very simple or very complex, but too many columns or variations in placement can give the sense that there is no grid in place. A grid is used to create order and a visually interesting composition. Too much and you create chaos. The grid system is an aid, not a guarantee. It permits a number of possible uses and each designer can look for a solution appropriate to his personal style. But one must learn how to use the grid; it is an art that requires practice. Josef Mller-Brockmann

Margins can be as flexible as columns and rows.

Every design problem is different and requires a grid structure that addresses its particular elements. The margins can be altered like any other component to create an interesting composition. But like columns, there needs to be restraint in how you decide their placement. Do not make each margin different. Consider the mood youll be creating when you have an asymmetrical composition versus a symmetrical composition.

Grids are especially helpful in establishing hierarchy.

Body copy may be three columns wide, set in roman, 12pt type. Us arum sequuntiam imolor sequate necaborest, con nit, que vero bernam eatur, im es sum hiliam quiducia voluptas dus es nossequi unt et litatint quos is doluptati desci dolum rest, aut ad ut as eations ernatis sumquas dit es ipicim rerest aut aut et inimos aut et et a aut re corem ape conecaestio cone quam dolore la verate prorumquis dolorem audipitem labore, sernatatur maiossit pra volo mossunt et arum aut mosam qui veria pos ari doluptas ad quunt lam quiam, acepedipis a sus, quis aceris eos adit occuptas magnimus delesti oriatum ipis.
While notes or captions span only one column and are set in gray, 8pt type. Having a blank column between the too provides breathing room but isnt necessarily required.

Type on a grid doesnt have to be flush left.

The International, or Swiss, Style has been credited with creating the grid and they typically aligned type flush left, rag right. However, that doesnt mean you must follow this formula. You can create very compelling designs using centered or justified type.
This is personal taste, but I especially like centered copy that is asymmetrically placed on the page.

There are infinite ways to create a grid.