Grids; the foundation for a cohesive design
What’s the purpose of grid use in graphic design? In order to develop a striking and organized design piece, it’s crucial to build a good foundation. One who builds a house would never consider skipping the foundation. Nor would they “wing it” in order to get to the next step. A good builder simply wouldn’t proceed without a detailed plan of the overall project. The foundation of a good design is its grid. There are many layout possibilities that allow artists to create balanced designs in any amount of space. By using grid systems as a framework, a composition can be designed that directs the eye with ease along an appealing hierarchal order. The importance of using a grid as the basis of your graphic design can not be overstated. And learning to work with one is worth the effort for any serious graphic designer. They provide organization, consistency, and balance to your design. Surprisingly, a grid will often make way for more creativity rather than fence you in as some might assume. Before using a grid for your graphic design, there are several factors you should consider:- Purpose or focus of design piece Intention is important. You need a clear purpose or message before laying down a grid. Without it, design elements may be constrained by thoughtless or forced decisions. The grid should serve the designer, not the other way around.
- Priority of content Consider all of your content and prioritize your text and elements in terms of hierarchy. This allows designers to guide the viewer’s eye through the design, drawing attention to key elements and creating a sense of visual flow. Without hierarchy, a design can become cluttered and confusing, making it difficult for the viewer to understand the message or purpose of the design.
- Size of your design Determine the size of your design and various elements, and how the grid will fit within the space. If you’re designing a magazine layout, you might need a more complex grid to accommodate your content. While a smaller design might only need a simple grid.
- Flexibility for use Consider how flexible the grid needs to be to accommodate different types of content in a layout. A more flexible grid might be necessary if you’re designing a website or an app that will have multiple pages.
- Branding enhancement Be mindful of your brand identity and how a grid can help reinforce your brand’s visual style. Using a consistent grid across different designs can help create a cohesive look and feel for your brand.