Best Practices for Graphic Designers, Grids and Page Layouts

28 Best Practices for Graphic Designers: Grids and Page Layouts

When the content consists of a large range of types of

material, a multicolumn grid can be a powerful tool

to help organize and standardize the communication.

Columns can be used independently for small blocks of

content, used in sequence for sections of running

text, or combined by crossing the gutter to make wider

columns. A column grid is an extremely flexible

structure; therefore, all possible configurations must

be considered when creating it. For example, what might

be an appropriate column width with a suitable

text line length for a single column might not work in

an application where the text crosses two columns. This

type of grid may have columns of different widths and

can be combined in a number of ways, so considering the

substructure is crucial—the width of the internal gutters,

and the position and frequency of flow lines to control

how the columns are subdivided are two examples.

A hang line is one type of flow line that is particularly

useful when setting up a multicolumn grid. This

establishes the position of the cap line for the first line

of text or image and helps to establish some points of

regularity throughout the layout. When turning pages,

the viewer already knows where to look first, thereby

making processing the information quicker and easier.

BASIC STRUCTURES

MULTICOLUMN GRIDS

OPPOSITE TOP: Here a

multicolumn grid has been used

to accommodate multiple tiers

of content.

FIRM Curious

CLIENT Electrolux

Basic Structures: Multicolumn Grids 29

30 Best Practices for Graphic Designers: Grids and Page Layouts

A multicolumn grid lends a

contemporary and technical feel

to this brochure.

FIRM Oikos Assoiati

CLIENT Sidesign

Basic Structures: Multicolumn Grids 31