OUGD404: Grids and layouts

Grids are used to establish a meter and rhythm within a document so that all information can effectively be displayed. The rhythm and meter of a layout is an important part of making the content accessible, as it allows the reader to easily find the next piece of information within the layout. 
Grids also determine and define the proportions of the images and text against the size of the media. They can be useful to make sure that the images and text will fit onto the available printed area and look in proportion to one another. 
The use of a consistent grid throughout a document provides a firm foundation of expectations, allowing specific areas of content to be highlighted through the use of break-outs of the grid. The viewer would have been expecting a specific layout, so when these are broken, the information will naturally be highlighted. 

Modular

Modular Grid
A modular grid has consistent horizontal divisions from top to bottom in addition to vertical divisions from left to right. The modules act as placements for the pictures and text, allowing for endless variations. Modular grids are good for complex projects that require more control than a column grid as each module in the grid can define a small chunk of information or adjacent modules can be combined. The Bauhaus and Swiss style concentrate on the objectivity, order, and minimalism, so modular grids are often used to maintain clarity in form. 

Column

Column Grid

A column grid can have as many columns as needed as long as they are evenly sized and spaced. It is thought that the more columns you have, the greater the layout possibilities. Columns are most commonly used vertically and are good when discontinuous information needs to be presented. The columns can be dependant on each other, independent from each other, and crossed over by design elements; allowing for flexibility. The gutters between columns act as the a tension breaker for the eyes, usually the gutter size is  'x' and the margin size is '2x'. 

Hierarchical Grids
These grids are commonly found on the web as they are based more on an intuitive placement of elements, which still conforms to the needs if the information and not jut the grid. The proportion are often customised instead of being regularly repeated intervals, meaning that the column widths tend to vary as do the locations of the flow lines. The hierarchical grids can be used when none of the other grids will work to effectively present the information, as they are created organically by first placing design elements on the page and then finding a rational structure for presenting the elements. 

The grid that I use for the majority of my work is the modular grid as I feel it is the easiest to manipulate and make suitable for the particular documents. The number of rows and columns can instantly change a whole layout visual and I find using a modular grid easier than any of the other ones.