Grid systems: How and when

Design using a grid system is always going to be more pleasing to the eye. Develop your grid structure early on in the design phase. You'll find out that it's o.k. to break your own grid sometimes, if it works and fits into the overall design. A strong grid when you start out will give your designs structure needed to contain your content. Viewers don't want to hunt to find what they are looking for. A well-designed grid will lead the viewer around the document and help feed information to them in the order you intend them to see it.

For homework over this (long) weekend, I want you to read these articles about grid-based design. I will be asking you questions (and perhaps even giving you a quiz) next Wednesday about what you've read here. So do yourself a favor and actually read them. Take the time to understand what they are saying.

• Grids are flexible

• Grids - Order out of Chaos

• Know what "guides" are

• Understand the "rule of thirds"

• Don't think the center of the page is actually in the center

• How do I create a grid?