Best Practices for Graphic Designers, Grids and Page Layouts

40 Best Practices for Graphic Designers: Grids and Page Layouts

When the specific needs of a project are not conducive

to regular structuring or repeated intervals separating

information areas, a hierarchical grid structure can be

a good solution. These grids create specific alignments

within the material as a method of developing a hier-

archy of information. Because they rely on an intuitive

placement based on specific content, an in-depth review

of the materials and requirements at the outset of

the project is crucial. Packaging, posters, and websites

are some applications that are well suited to the use

of hierarchical grids. This type of grid can provide a

feeling of order and help navigate the viewer through

the information to be presented in a more organic

way than a modular grid would allow.

BASIC STRUCTURES

HIERARCHICAL GRIDS

These images illustrate how a

hierarchical grid can be a useful way

to organize websites into different

content areas and subareas.

FIRM Gee + Chung Design

DESIGNERS Earl Gee,

Fani Chung

CLIENT Gee + Chung Design

Basic Structures: Hierarchical Grids 41

42 Best Practices for Graphic Designers: Grids and Page Layouts

These posters are split into three

main content areas that help

communicate the information in

the desired order from name and

logo, to tagline, to details.

DESIGNER Johnson Banks

CLIENT Science Museum

44 Best Practices for Graphic Designers: Grids and Page Layouts

Packaging is another application

where hierarchical grids work partic-

ularly well. These coffee bags utilize

a series of content areas—each with

subdivisions within them—to ensure

the proper order of communication.

The grid becomes apparent as the

line grows, and content is located

consistently across all bags so that a

user of one variety will know where

to look for comparable information

on another variety of coffee from the

same company.

FIRM Chen Design Associates

CLIENT Verve Coffee Roasters