On the Grid

During class last week, I got asked about the mysterious "grid" our professor keeps referring to. Not that I'm anyone to be answering questions about anything (unless you want to know about eyebrows, in which case, I consider myself an expert), but I thought I'd pass along a little information.

It's my understanding that there's no wrong or right way to make a grid. There are many, many, many grid options. So when graphic designers talk about "the grid," they aren't referring to one, specific layout...at least I don't think. They are referring to "a two-dimensional structure made up of a series of intersecting vertical and horizontal axes used to structure content. The grid serves as an armature on which a designer can organize text and images in a rational, easy to absorb manner," according to Wikipedia.

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This zine is an excellent introduction to the grid. This article is also a great overview. And this book is the the grid bible, as far as I'm concerned...which isn't very far.

In a nutshell, you first decide what grid you want to use for your design. The most common are columns and baseline, but modern design uses the golden ratio and the rule of thirds. Use scratch paper and a ruler to map out your page before going into InDesign, if you need to.

In InDesign, click inside the ruler and drag out guides to set up your own grid and section off your page in orderly "chunks." Don't forget to include gutters, or "breathing room." You can also turn on a "grid" in InDesign and use it as a guide, if you wish.

There are a great many people who understand the usage of the grid far better than I, but hopefully this gives you a start place. Feel free to chime in, and remember, 

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