Contents

“Grids are the most misunderstood and misused element in page layout. A grid is only useful if it is derived from the material it is intended to handle.”

—DEREK BIRDSALL
Notes on Book Design

8      Introduction

Getting Started

10      Elements of a Grid

11      Basic Grid Diagrams

12      Determine the Appropriate Grid

13      Formatting Text

14      Hierarchy of Information

15      Grid and Image

16      Combining Grid, Type, and Image

17      Color

18      Space

19      Rhythm and Flow

Working Grids

22      Single column

28      Two column

42      Three column

52      Multicolumn

62      Modular

72      Tables and Charts

82      Color as a Dominant Element

90      Color as Organizing Principle

102      Horizontal Hierarchy

112      When Type Forms the Grid

122      Filled and Functional

134      Spacious but Not Barren

140      Seemingly Gridless

148      Organic Shapes

156      Swiss Grid

166      Grid, Interrupted

174      Grid, Reconstructed

180      Layered Grid

186      Grids and Motion

194      Breaking the Rules

202      Glossary

203      Recommended Reading

204      Contributors

206      Quick Start Guide

208      Acknowledgments

“A grid is truly successful only if, after all of the literal problems have been solved, the designer rises above the uniformity implied by its structure and uses it to create a dynamic visual narrative of parts that will sustain interest page after page.”

—TIMOTHY SAMARA
Making and Breaking the Grid