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Layout For Publications - Grids

August 2002

Do you sometimes wonder why some publications consistently look great while others are somewhat hit and miss? A big part of the answer to this is that the attractive publications likely adhere to a fairly rigid grid structure.

While we explored columns in last month's article, they only make up half of the recipe to a tasty layout. When a horizontal grid is used in conjunction with the vertical column structure it can make order out of chaos and provide order to what may otherwise be a fairly random and incongruent layout.

Here are some samples of grid structures:

Two column, 4 horizontal divisions

Two column, 5 horizontal divisions

Three column, 6 horizontal divisions

Notice that the more complex the grid, the more options are available for placement. Generally, the larger the page, the more complex a grid you can work with. Also, a three column grid generally allows for more horizontal divisions than a two column grid. If you're wondering how to employ grids, it's easy. Virtually all page layout programs give you the option to "drag" in guidelines from the ruler bar. Using your columns as the vertical divisions and guidelines as your horizontal divisions, you can set up your first grid in a document in a matter of minutes. At first glance, you might get the idea that a grid will impose unnecessary and cumbersome restrictions on you layouts. Don't, however, give in to this thought until you have tried working with a grid. After getting used to it, you may find that grids make your work easier rather than harder. Furthermore, you'll start to see a consistency and order to your layout that is likely lacking right now if you're not using the grid concept.

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