Grids: Structure of Graphic Design (Pro-graphics S.) - Softcover

Jute, Andre

Softcover

ISBN 10: 2880462770 ISBN 13: 9782880462772

Publisher: Rotovision, 1997

Synopsis

This text focuses on computerized design and can be used as a multi-layered graduated tutorial. Templates and art are enclosed on the accompanying floppy disk, and are copyright-free.

About this title

Review

Grids are the basis for every page design and as such deserve a book devoted entirely to their use.

For a generation of designers who have trained and practised in the digital age, Grids provides an educational insight into the disciplined approach that was required before anyone heard of "snap to baseline grid". Following on from this, Grids shows just how much of the work of designing a publication is done for you once you have the grid sorted out. It is also a great source book, containing both diagrammatic illustrations and real-life examples of grids that work. A selection of ready made grids in eps format suitable for MacOS and Windows is also provided.

Just in case you were wondering what grids were for, this question is answered early on and the short answer is "the primary purpose of the grid is to create order out of chaos". Jute doesn't stick rigidly to the subject, but broadens it out a little to include typography and stylesheets.

A brief chapter describes how to make a quick grid and then comes the real meat of the book--constructing a proper grid. At times the approach can seem overly rule-orientated. Take this example "For any unit of design ... a designer may select 16 fonts as follows: two typefaces, in two sizes, in two weights and in two styles". Good advice that will keep you out of trouble, but is unlikely to inspire cutting-edge design. If you think Jute is a hard-liner however, he was a slacker compared to Frederick Goudy who thought that "Anyone who would letterspace lower case text would steal sheep".

The truth is that 99 percent of design is about understanding the rules and sticking to them, the other 1 percent is about knowing when to break them. In either case this book provides a firm foundation. --Ken McMahon

Edition details

• Publisher: Rotovision
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 2880462770
• ISBN 13: 9782880462772
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160