Grids pdf

Grids& divine proportions

BAGD

Introduction to grids

Phil McDonald

FibonacciSequence

BAGD


Phil McDonald

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci sequence ratio 8:13 links to Golden section

This sequence is not only evident within design but also nature.

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

The human face follows the ratio and we find people whose faces are truer to the ratio more attractive. (?)

Classic Renaissance masterpieces, architecture from antiquity, and even human body parts are proportioned based on the ratio down to the fingers themselves.

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

A series of numbers in which each number is the sum of two preceding numbers.

0+1= 11+1= 21+2= 32+3= 53+5= 85+8= 138+13= 2113+21= 3421+34= 5534+55 = 89

0+1= 1

1+1= 2

1+2= 3

2+3= 5

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

Draw two small squares together.

Draw a third square using the combined lengths of the two original squares together.

1 & =

=

1 1

2

1

1 1

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

Continue to repeat this process and the set will form as shown...

2

3

5

1

1

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

55 point title should be complemented with 34 point body copyby applying Fibonacci’s sequence.

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

Apply your understanding of the fibonacci sequence using grided paper.

Dividing the page

BAGD


Dividing the page

Golden Section

BAGD


Golden Section

BAGD


Golden Section

...Forms the basis of paper sizes and its principles can be used as a means of achieving balanced designs.

Many ancient cultures from Egyptians to the Greeks used this thinking to gain beautiful designed proportions.

*Fibonacci sequence ratio 8:13 links to Golden section

Golden Section Rule - 8:13

1.62is the golden number

BAGD


Golden Section

Is also known as the Golden Rectangle.

Definition -

“Golden Rectangle is a rectangle in which the ratio of the length to the width is the golden ratio”

Basic Calculations to finding the Golden Section of a page:

1.62 divided with page width.

56cm Divide by 1.62

= 34.56 (Round off to... 35)

BAGD


Golden Section

= 34.56 (35)

56cm 35cm

35cm

21cm

21cmDivide by 1.62

BAGD


Golden Section

35cm21cm

35 Divide by 1.62

= 21.60(22)

22cm 13cm

BAGD


Golden Section

35cm21cm

22 Divide by 1.62

= 13.58(14)

8cm

5cm

14cm

9cm

6cm 3cm

BAGD


Golden Section

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

Apply your understanding of the Golden Section by dividing your grided paper into the golden ratio.

The Rule Of Thirds

BAGD


Golden Section

BAGD


Rule of Thirds

The concept of the golden ratio can be simplified.

The rule of thirds governs the placement of points of interest in a scene.

Divide any given image into thirds both horizontally and vertically.

You’ll get 9 grids.

BAGD


Rule of Thirds

According to the rule of thirds, the vertices of those lines (where the lines cross) are the ideal placement for points of interest.

People scanning the page are more likely to notice things placed near the points, and the division is comfortable to view.

BAGD


Rule of Thirds

People scanning the page are more likely to notice things placed near the focal points, and the division is comfortable to view.

More complex design is possible by breaking down those thirds into further thirds.

focal point

BAGD


Rule of Thirds

Major images, news boxes, search bars and any other points of interest can be nestled on or near the horizontals.

This little shortcut will give you a design that is both easy on the eyes and makes people drawn to key pieces of information.

information point

BAGD


Fibonacci Sequence

Break down & cut out your layouts using the rule of thirds.

Find focal points & information points.

BAGD


Golden Spirals

Another method of using both the golden ratio and Fibonacci numbers are the golden spirals and Fibonacci spirals.

The spirals have been used in artwork for as long as the numbers and ratios themselves.

The theory is that areas of negative space and visual interest should fit within the spiral. Within this image, as with the rule of thirds, the eye is naturally drawn to the center of the spiral to look for details.

BAGD


Golden Spirals

The spirals can serve as a guideline for content density and clustering.

They can serve as the foundation for the ratio of your website header images, search bars and tool bars.

BAGD


Identify Your Grid

Cut layouts into columns, headers, footers, images, subheadings etc...

Identify its grid.

BAGD


Identify Your Grid

Using different magazine layouts -

Frankenstein a custom layout of your choice and hand make a grid of your own...

BAGD


End bit...

“Using the divine proportion, you give yourself an edge of natural logic and organic grace that all humans have a subconscious attraction to.

The golden ratio is yet another tool at your creative disposal...”

Canons& Gridsweek 2

BAGD


Phil McDonald

Van De Graafcanon

BAGD


Phil McDonald

BAGD


Van De Graaf

...A gridded page is much likescaffolding for a building.

It is a structure that elements can be organized.

A grid will help continuity to bemaintained and information digested with flow.

BAGD


Van De Graaf

The Van de Graaf canon is a historical reconstruction of a method that may have been used in book design to divide a page in pleasing proportions.

This canon is also known as the “secret canon” used in many medieval manuscripts and incunabula.

BAGD


Van De Graaf

The construction of Van de Graaf’s canon, works for any page width:height ratio.

BAGD


Van De Graaf

BAGD


Van De Graaf Symmetrical layout.

BAGD


Van De Graaf Single Page Canon

BAGD


Van De Graaf Asymmetrical Layout

BAGD


Gutenberg

Historian John Man suggests that Gutenberg’s Bible page

was based on the golden ratio.

BAGD


Octavo Format

The text area and margin proportions are determined by the starting page proportions.

BAGD


Golden page & Resarivo’s 9ths

BAGD


Application of Canon

BAGD



BAGD



Leadinga very brief overview

BAGD


Phil McDonald

BAGD


Width Of Column

Column width is more than just design or format.

it is also based on legibility.

Printed Collateral (text) is read by the eye of a distance of 30 - 35cm.

According to empirical rule there should be 7 words per line for a text of any length.

To keep the type area light and open (in appearance) we must consider the leading.

i.e. The vertical distance from line to line which suits the size of the type.

BAGD


Width Of Column

Overlong text lines tire the eye, as do overshort ones.

Readers find overlong lines strenuous to read.

This is because too much energy is spent keeping the horizontal line in sight over a long distance.

Too short of a line and your eye chages text lines too often.

Time and Energy wasted.

Wrong column widths lead to...

BAGD


Width Of Column

Column widths with 12 point sans serif.

14 point leading.

A column is easy to read if it is wide enough to fit in average 10 words per line.

BAGD


Width Of Column

15 point sans serif.17 point leading.




BAGD


Width Of Column

The key is ease of reading.

Text must not impair the rhythm of reading.

This can not apply to titles and subtitles.

Advertising functions

require headings

to standout and be

absorbed by the eye.

It’s function is to sell.

Are columns just aestheticcreatures?

Margin Proportions

BAGD


Phil McDonald

BAGD


margins

Margins can have a influence on the overall feel of a page of print.

Too small - looks over full.

Too large - exageration.

Well balanced margins on the sides, head and tail can create an agreeable impression.

BAGD


margins

BADLY PROPORTIONED...

1 X 1 X 1 X 3 (pica’s)

Side margins are the same width, looks wishy-washy.

Same sized margins can never generate an interesting page design...

1

1

1

3

BAGD


margins

THEY GENERATE THE IMPRESSION OF INDECISION AND DULLNESS...

BAGD


margins

WELL PROPORTIONED...

Intended to be the right hand page due to larger left margin.

More applicable to literature rather than advertising etc...

The margins are luxurious but would this increase print costs?

4

3

3

7

BAGD


margins

Well...Is it all just about aesthetics?

The type area!no... really.

BAGD


Phil McDonald

BAGD


Type Areas

1 & 2 Column Grids

Constructionof gridsweek 3

BAGD


Phil McDonald

BAGD


construction

Before you can apply a grid you must understand the requirement of the grid for the work to be produced.

Typeface, text & illustrations, print method and paper quality must be confirmed beforehand (ideally).

Always start with small sketches...

Thumbnail sketches will make your job of final layouts easier and productive.

Thumbnail sizes should be proportonate to the final format...

... to make your job of final layouts easier and productive.

BAGD


construction

Before drawing your sketches, consider the number of columns needed.

For example...

1 column only for text and illustrations gives little freedom of layout.

Restriction of making illustrations small, medium or large.

2 columns, logically, gives you more scope:

1 column for text

1 column for illustration

they can be mixed together

2 column division can be subdivided to create a 4 column page...

BAGD


construction (with Tom Selleck - Magnum P.I)

1 column only 2 columns

1 column for text1 column for illustration

mixed together...

BAGD


construction (with Tom Selleck - Magnum P.I)

Three columns

opportunities for arranging and accomodating text and illustrations in numerous sizes.

You could also subdivide the three column grid into a 6 column arrangement.

Three columns Subdivided into 6

BAGD


construction

Disadvantages of 6 column systems are:

Lines of text will be narrow.Small typeface will have to be used.

... But ...

This solely rests on the function that is to be performed!

BAGD


construction

For statistics, figures, graphs & trend line publications:

Use 4 columns per page.

BAGD


construction

Remember:

4 columns can be subdivided into 8, 16 + columns...

Convenient for representing stats.

BAGD


construction

The width of a column dictates

the size of typeface used.

The rule:

The narrower a column is, the

smaller the typeface.

Why is that?

OK BAD ???

BAGD


Quick Task...

You have an annual report to layout.

You can only use one single page.You have to use a minimum of 3 columns.You have six images of pie charts to use.

**Include header, footer, headline, subheading, body text**

BAGD


Thumbnails

Thumbnails& Developments

BAGD


Thumbnails in design process...

Make a variety of thumbnails of layouts / designs.

Do not rely on just one set of thumbnails.

Enlarge a small selection of appropriate thumbnails by 1:1.

Compare them and select and repeat process until you are confident with the design.

in a nut

shell

BAGD


Thumbnails

Apply typeto columns...

BAGD


Apply type to columns

The first line must fit flush to the top limit of the column grid.

The last line must stand on the bottom limit.

Keep calm, it is difficult to find the final solution the first time around.

It could mean that your grid field is too high or too low.

BAGD



1:1 thumbnail type area with the depth and breadth that fits best both functionally and aesthetically

Divide into further 2 or 3 text columns.

example shows 2 columns. Divide the type area into two columns by adding gutters.

Divide the text column into 2 or 3 fields.

Decide what type point size and leading for the text.

To know that you have the correct type point size for the space you are filling in you must have the same amount of lines per field within the overall column.

BAGD



10 point type15 point leading

Column length 15cm

loosely means use 15 point leading.

at this length there must be 10 lines per

field.

meaning 30 lines every per 15cm.

The depth of my fields ascertains

how many 10point type lines i have.

BAGD



Figure 1 -Match grid fields to the lines of text that live next to field line.

It must be measured as 1 line space. A proportion of the leading and type point size.

Figure 2 -Final 6 field grid.

1 2

BAGD



Lines of text aligned to grid fields.

BAGD


Headings and body text

Font Heights

BAGD


Font heights


Caption text Header & Footer text


Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s stan-dard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining es-sentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum pas-sages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown print-er took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was pop-ularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

BAGD


Font heights

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recent-

subheading example one

Headline 2


Body Text Headline

Subheading20 point type

40 point type

BAGD


Type & Picture

Type & picture8 field grid...

BAGD


8 Field Grid

A4+ Format.

8 & 20 grid fields.

8 grid fields are used frequently for advertising material and brochures.

If using 8 field grids, you can subdivide into 16 grid fields.

8 and 16 grid fields give you a range of possibilities.

BAGD


8 Field Grid

BAGD


8 Field Grid

8 grid fields allow various sizes of illustrations to be portrayed.

You can use with or without text.

You need to have a good perception of composition.

BAGD


8 Field Grid

The grid is only an instrument in which you, a designer, can make interesting and balanced designs.

BAGD


8 Field Grid

BAGD


8 Field Grid

BAGD


8 Field Grid

BAGD


20 Field Grid

20 field grid has quite a large scope for idea solutions.

There is around 42 possible layout options.

BAGD


20 Field Grid

Example.... and so on....

BAGD


20 Field Grid

BAGD


Overall So far...

So, there you have the basics.

It is up to you to use the teachings to create and develop your design response.

...Are grids et al an aesthetic choice?

Grids pdf

Documents

grids bagd golden spirals

grids bagd end

golden number introduction

fibonacci spirals

definition golden rectangle

fibonacci numbers

fibonaccis sequence

rule of thirdsintroduction