Construction of Grids - Week 3

Before you can apply a grid you must understand the requirement of the grid for the work to be produced.
-Typeface text and illustration, print method and paper quality must be confirmed beforehand ideally.
-Always start with small sketches.
-Thumbnail sketches make final layouts a lot easier.
-Thumbnails sizes should be proportional to the final format.

Applying columns
Before drawing sketches, consider the number of columns needed.
-e.g. 1 column only for text and illustrations gives little freedom of layout.
-2 colums = more scope.. 1 column for text, one column for illustration.
- these elements can then be mixed together into a variety of layouts.
-3 colums give opportunity for more interesting arrangement. This can also be subdivided in to 6 columns.
-Disadvantages of 6 colums: lines of text will be narrow however this depends on the function/purpose of the article.
-For statistics, figures, graphs and trend line publications use 4 columns.
4 colums can be subdivided into 8 columns.

Summarised development process:
1. Make a variety of thumbnails of layouts/designs.
2. Don't rely on just one set of thumbnails.
3. Enlarge a small selection of appropriate thumbnails.
4. Compare and select and repeat process until you are confident with the design.

Applying type to columns:
-First line must fit flush to the top limit of the grid
-Last line must stand on bottom limit
-Experimentation with leading and point size.
- e.g. 10 point type.. 15 point leading.. column length 15cm.. 10 lines per field.. 30 lines per 15cm.

Font Heights
-Caption text: 4point type with 6point leading
-Header and footer text with 10point leading
-Body text: 10point type with 13 point leading
-Subheading: 20point type
-Headline: 40point type

Type and Picture on an 8 field grid
-A4 format
-8 & 20 grid fields
-8 grid fields are frequently used for advertising.
-They allow various sizes of illustration to be portrayed.
-Can be used with or without text
-Needs a good perception of composition
-20 field grid = 42 image possibilities

Creating a page spread using InDesign
-Margins & Colums
-Create guides
-Choose whether to fit guides to margins or page
Creating a box grid
-Select box tool.. drag across the page.. press the arrow keys to create more columns or rows.
-Drag out from the top left corner in order to determine where 0 starts, e.g. top margin. Repeat this to the bottom margin. Divide the y axis by 2 (/2).
-Alternatively 'scripts' can be used as another method to generate grids.