Exercise 5: Design Blog Entry 4

“The grid system in graphic design is a way of organizing content on a page, using any combination of margins, guides, rows and columns.”

The everlasting challenge for any graphic designer is to solve problems by determining the boundaries and limit.  Ever so often there is a spark that sets a blaze a brilliant and creative resolution. When I have reached the level of using the grid as a style and moved into using the grid as a real tool for creativity  I have matriculated into a competent design­er that can turn problems into design solutions that are both orderly and unex­pected. For me designing on grid sys­tem are not just design methodologies that have been set forth to categorize structure but its also an open opportunity to break the rules and set a new structure within oneself.

Smashing magazine gives great examples of grid techniques as well as other places to find inspiration and resources.

What is Grid-Based Design?

Grids are structure imposed on chaos. They are a harmonious and reliable system for presenting information. Grids offer an effective design approach for site layouts and assist in communicating site’s main messages clearly to the end user. They created ordered hierarchies, proportional relationships, and clear visual paths for the eye to travel.

Video Resource from 960 Grid System

Inspiration and resources.

Grids are useful for communicating inform960ation clearly and effectively. Khoi Vinh’s redesign of a complex news-site proves it.

• Designing With Grid-Based ApproachMassive roundup of grid based design resources here on Smashing Magazine.
• Five Simple Steps to Designing Grid Systems Part IMark Boulton discusses this professional solution to a common Web design problem. Refer to his multi-part series for a review of grid use.
• Grids Are Good (Right?)Is a presentation by Mark Boulton and Khoi Vinh that covers the use of the grid as it applies to Web design. They do this while analyzing a fictitious though useful Yahoo redesign case study. They work through their methodology for using the grid while revealing concepts in this process.