OUGD601 - Practical - Designing A Grid System

Based on some research into different grid systems, it has been decided that a column grid would work most appropriately for my poster designs, since this type of grid system is generally used as a tool by Swiss graphic designers producing more typographic designs.

This grid system allows for more layout possibilities than others, especially when working with type, which can be determined through the number of columns created. Additionally, the grid also allows for you to incorporate rows into the layout, creating what is known as 'modules'. This will be a good addition for my designs in particular in allowing me to clearly separate out smaller pieces of information into header and footer style pieces of text.

It is suggested that multiples of 4 should be used to create columns, however, the larger the size, the more columns should be used and vice versa.
It is decided that my posters will be A2 in size and use 12 columns.

Working out measurements for the column grid/ quick ideas sketch for poster design developments. It was thought that this size would not be compatible with handmade processes like letterpress since the lead type blocks would not be big enough, so the screen-print process should be used instead (more compatible). Experiments with series number and overlaying colour and text.

Measurements:

• 420 mm width x 594 mm high.
• 20 mm margins on each side (40 mm total).
• 4 mm gutters between columns.
• 12 columns = 11 gutters.

Final grid system:

The use of this grid system will allow both of my poster designs to have some element of underlying consistency without compromising the aesthetic contrast I am aiming to produce. The columns will also allow me to place additional content such as colour blocks around the type more effectively and structurally, without compromising the typography and its message.