Grids and Divine Proportions 3

Construction of Grids

-                Must understand the requirement of the grid for the work to be produced.

-                Typeface, text, illustration, print method and paper quality must be confirmed before hand.

-                Always start with thumbnails.

-                Consider columns, content, number of layouts:

-           2 columns at least.

-           Can be subdivided into more.

-                Disadvantages of small columns:

-           Lines will be short.

-           Small text must be used.

-                4 columns on a page:

-           Used for statistics//figures//graphs//trend line.

-           Can be subdivided if needed.

-                The width of the column dictates the size of the typeface used.

-                The narrower the column is, the smaller the typeface.

Thumbnails and Development

-                Make a variety of thumbnails of layouts.

-                Do not just rely on one set of thumbnails.

-                Enlarge a small selection of appropriate thumbnails.

-                Compare columns//layouts//designs.

Applying Type

-                Top line must fit flush to the top of the column.

-                The last line must stand on the bottom of the column.

-                For a 15cm column, use 10 point type with 15 point leading, this will average at about 10 lines per 5cm.

Font Heights

-                Caption text – 4 point type//6 point leading – A4/A5 page

-                Header and Footer text – 7 point type//10 point leading – A4/A5 page.

-                Can use the Fibonacci Sequence.

-                Body Text – 10 point type//13 point leading

-                Subheading – 20 point type

-                Headline – 40 point type

Type and Picture: 8 Field Grid

-                A4+ Format.

-                8-20 field grids.

-                8 field grids can be subdivided into 16 field grids.

-                Allow various sized images.

-                Can be used with or without type.

-                Requires creativity.

-                Only the instrument to create interesting and balanced designs.

-                20 grid field has around 42 layout options.

InDesign Setup

-                New Document

-                > 2 columns

-                Creating a grid

-                > New Document

-                > 1 column

-                > Layout

-                > Margins and columns

-                Layout

-                > Ruler guides

-                > (Change colour)

-                > Create guides -> edit

-                New Document

-                > Remove margins

-                > Draw box

-                > Use arrows to create a grid

-                > Gutters -> if gutters are wanted ensure they are on when the document is created

-                New Document

-                > Window

-                > Utilities

-                > Scripts

-                > Application

-                > Samples

-                > Applescripts

-                > Must have content selected

-                > Makes grids -> will grid images

-                Change ruler units

-                > Control -> click ruler

-                Create Bottom grid

-                > Divide Y-axis number

-                > In half = /2 after number in the Y box