GRIDS for portfolio design

“The grid is the underwear of the book.”

Mossimo Vignelli

GRIDS for portfolio design

STRUCTUREA grid is made up of vertical and horizontal lines and is the foundation of every type of visual media. The structure is there to shape the content into proportions pleasing to the eye.

CONSISTENCYWith this backbone you can determine how major blocks of type and im-ages will repeat in your pages in a consistent, aligned and logical way.

CLARITYInformation presented with clear and logically set out titles, subtitles, texts, illustrations and captions will be read more quickly and easily and information will be better understood and retained.

Reasons to use a grid

STRUCTUREA grid is made up of vertical and horizontal lines and is the foundation of every type of visual media. The structure is there to shape the content into proportions pleasing to the eye.

CONSISTENCYWith this backbone you can determine how major blocks of type and im-ages will repeat in your pages in a consistent, aligned and logical way.

CLARITYInformation presented with clear and logically set out titles, subtitles, texts, illustrations and captions will be read more quickly and easily and information will be better understood and retained.

Reasons to use a grid

GRIDS IN NATURE

There is a grid underlying most natural forms. It is often the part of the structure of the element and is why most natural form is pleasing to the eye.

GRIDS IN NATURE

There is a grid underlying most natural forms. It is often the part of the structure of the element and is why most natural form is pleasing to the eye.

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Add margins

Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Define the problem and establish constraints

Gather images, drawings, text Define constraints: context, printing limits

Choose the Format

Add margins

Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Test out a few layouts loosely Test the size to hand feel Consider proportion and scale Add margins

Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Test out a few layouts loosely Test the size to hand feel Consider proportion and scale Golden Section Rule of Thirds Visual Center Add margins

Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Golden Section

The Golden Section is a ratio or proportion based on the number phi (1.618) and is found in proportions of nature and the human body. It is often used in art and architecture because it provides a sense of balance and unity to a design.

Using a portfolio format based on the Golden Section will usually give you a layout that feels proportioned and comfortable.

a

a b

a + b

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Test out a few layouts loosely Test the size to hand feel Consider proportion and scale Golden Section Rule of Thirds Visual Center Add margins

Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a compositional tool that uses the notion that most interesting compositions are those where the primary element is off center.

Imagine your image or layout divided into thirds horizontally and vertically.

Place major compositional elements at the intersections.

This creates more tension, interest and dynamic layout than one with a centered image will.

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Test out a few layouts loosely Test the size to hand feel Consider proportion and scale Golden Section Rule of Thirds Visual Center Add margins

Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Visual Center

Visual center is just slightly above and to the right of actual center. It is the natural placement of our visual focus.

Sometimes this is referred to as museum height.

Similar to the Rule of Thirds, placing elements at the visual center will make a layout appear to be balanced and dynamic.

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Add margins Consider binding method Consider the proportion of the format Use the Golden Section

Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Margins using the Golden Section

Your content area can also be based on a golden section.

Simple method developed by the typographer Jan Tschichold to size and position a golden rectangle content area on the page.

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Add margins Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Divide into Units

Divisions of 3 or 4 units work well.

Define the problem and establish constraints

Choose the Format

Add margins Divide into units

Subdivide into columns

Basic Grid Layout

Subdivide into Columns

In InDesign it’s a good idea to put the subdivisions on another master page that you can turn on and off.

Examples

thegridsystem.org - articles, templates and tools related to grids in graphic design.

example of an A4 size InDesign Grid template

Examples

20 field grid

Examples

20 field grid

Examples

20 field grid

Examples

12 field grid

Examples

12 field grid

Examples

20 field grid

Examples

49 field grid

Divide into Units

Divisions of 3 or 4 units work well.

Divide into Units

Divisions of 3 or 4 units work well.

Divide into Units

Divisions of 3 or 4 units work well.

Divide into Units

Divisions of 3 or 4 units work well.

Divide into Units

Divisions of 3 or 4 units work well.

Divide into Units

Divisions of 3 or 4 units work well.