Week 3 – Designing with Grid Systems
Grids, guides, and a giant poster. Bootcamp continued with Week 3 being all about grids.
No real surprises, some good discussions, and a really interesting project. Only two of us chose to do a poster (30″ x 72″). The rest of the class chose to do the 8″ x 8″ book or a website.
Definitely the most fulfilling project so far.
Notes on Grids, for later reflection:
- Don’t be a slave to a system that doesn’t work. Adhere to rules when it makes sense. But there are always going to be places where the rules must be changed, bent, or broken. It’s so easy to get caught up in your own rules – stay loose.
- Understand the content first. Good organization is a key driver in good design, and this only happens when the designer understands the content. This becomes especially true with large amounts of content – and when the author isn’t the most organized writer.
- Large-scale posters require different information be readable at different distances. Get the readers attention, bring them in closer, and give them the nitty-gritty. Not having one of these can mean nobody reads your poster, or that some of your audience will just pass on by.
- Josef Muller-Brockmann was right, grids are the organizing principle that makes civilization work. I know this seems very self aggrandizing, but I truly believe the designers highest calling is to organize for all.
July 29th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
[...] Kyle Vice’s quick tips for designing with grid systems [...]
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:37 am
Dear Kyle,
Your poster is right on. Nice grid layout. I have been reading your Joseph Muller-Brockman book like crazy. That guy was a damned genius. I understand why you were so adamant about it now.
I just got a lot of Fin Aid for fall so it looks like I am going back to school double time in two weeks. Got to get ‘er done. I am going to take the GRE this fall and see how I do. After my 3 months at DBS and the CJ, I am none to eager to enter the job that will consume the rest of my life.
I promise not to ask you anything else DBS related. Sorry to bother you about that. Never again.
I hope you and Gretchen and living the dream in PA. If you have never seen the show it’s always sunny in Philadelphia, it might be worth watching.
Take care brato.
-Dick
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