9. A grid

02/10/15

A grid is the structure made of a series of straight or curved lines used to build content.

 It serves as a framework on which the designer can organise his/her graphics in an easy sort of way. A grid can be used to organize graphic elements in relation to a page, in relation to other graphic elements on the page, or relation to other parts of the same graphic element or shape. While grid systems have seen significant use in print media, interest from web developers has only recently seen a resurgence. Website design frameworks producing HTML and CSS had existed for a while before newer frameworks popularised the use of grid-based layouts. Some grid systems specify fixed-width elements with pixels, and some are 'fluid', meaning that they call for page element sizing to be in associated with units like percentages, rather than absolute units like pixels or points.



This facsimile page is from a fourteenth-century English manuscript. The overall layout is asymmetric, and therefore surprisingly modern. The main column is positioned to the left of the page, with a large right-hand margin used for notes. All text is calligraphic and ranged left. 

This old Russian newspaper, telling the events after the USSR collapsed, is laid out with the main images on top underneath the headline, but the columns are all mixed up in all different places of the paper.

The grids are also set out into two layouts: vertical and landscape. There are also only those types of grids. One that has an even number of columns and one that has an odd number of columns. An experienced designer knows that a specific style of design can only be achieved by an odd number of columns, or alternatively, by using an even number of columns. Illustrated below are common examples of layouts using basic layout grids. Learning to choose the right grid for your design is crucial to its success.

The grid layout also are implied in webpages. The main idea behind grid-based designs is a solid visual and structural balance of web-sites you can create with them. Sophisticated layout structures offer more flexibility and enhance the visual experience of visitors. In fact, users can easier follow the consistency of the page, while developers can update the layout in a well thought-out, consistent way. However, it’s quite hard to find your way through all the theory behind grid systems: it isn’t easy at all. Some important notions and related key-facts can help to learn basics and keep essential techniques in mind.

Landscape                                                       Vertical

In overall conclusion, the grid is and has been the first step for graphic designers everywhere on achieving graphics on paper with excellent results. They shaped the way we look on society. They help shape the media industry throughout the entire past century, if they have a way to still do that in the present, then they can surely have a way to shape our future.

Sources (C) Wikipedia, DesignersInsights.com, Graphics.com, Guity-Novin

8. Magazine pages

02/10/15

 Junior Section General look

I chose Archery UK which has many different sections in it. This is a quarterly magazine and has a lot of content. Because there is a lot of content, the magazine has been divided into different sections.  The sections use different colour coding on every page to make it easier to for the reader to find a certain page he/she is looking for. The primary headlines are generally in a variety of bold, san serif fonts, with secondary headlines also in san serif. The general texts of the articles are in a san serif but is in a much smaller size. The colour scheme of the articles has been chosen to draw the reader in, including the headings. The magazine designer has also added colour and a different size capital letter for the beginning of every article throughout, again get the attention of the reader and to indicate the begging of an article. The junior section uses a much more varied colour scheme, interesting design and font to make it look more fun and appealing to younger person(s).

7. Leading

02/10/15


Leading is adjusting the space between lines of text.

The top paragraph shows 21 pt size with 25 pt leading. the bottom paragraph shows also 21 pt size, but with 45 pt leading.

6. Kerning and Tracking

02/10/15


Tracking is literally when you make overall space between letters in a word(s). Whereas kerning is when you adjust the space between specific letters.

5. Type Family

02/10/15


The image below shows a specific type family.

The biggest type family i could find on InDesign is Avenir. I have only shown six examples of the font below.

4. Labelled word

02/10/15

1. Different fonts

29/09/15

These fonts are all similar, but they are used very differently. 

The designers used them so the reader can read clearly, because it is not too complicated.

These images were found on Google Images.

 The writing is to tell you that this station is Hampton Court Station

 This sign tells you that the road to Nottingham is on the A52 and is half mile away

 The writing on this welcome sign is in capital letters so that the words can stand out

 This notice is to warn you that you need to put your mask or you suffocate and die

 This sign, even though it looks complicated,  tells you which road to go on

 This warning sign has its words stand out to tell you that there is something up road, including construction, road accident or diversion

3. The difference between SERIF and SANS-SERIF

30/09/15


Here is the difference between a Serif and a Sans-Serif font

A serif font contains small lines attached at the end of a stroke in a letter. (See example up top) While an sans-serif does not have a small line at the end of a stroke as a true serif does. So the only difference is the serif is there while sans-serif is not.

2. The difference between Typeface and Font

29/09/15


There is a difference between typeface and font:




Typeface is a set of fonts made of glyphs that share the same design feature. A typeface has an aspect in each font, comprised of style, weight, slant etc.




Font is the weight, size and style of a typeface. Every font has a set of variety, for a glyph, and a typeface includes fonts with the same shared design.




In conclusion, though typefaces and fonts are in description similar, they are not the same.