CANONS AND GRIDS

VAN DE GAFF

• A gridded page is much like scaffolding for a building.
• The Van De Graff canon is a historical reconstruction of a method that may have been used in book design to divide a page in pleasing proportions.
• Essentially used to divide a page
• Also known as a secret canon
• Works for any page width:height ratio
• Created symmetrical & asymmetrical layouts

Using Van De Graff Canon & rule of 9ths on my proportioned page with rough measurements and markers.

LEADING

• Column width is more than just design or format
• Also based on legibility
• According to empirical rule there should be 7 words per line for text of any length
• Text is read by the eye of a distance of 30-35 cm.
• To keep the type areas light & open we must consider the leading.
• Is the vertical from line to line which suits the size of the type.
• Overlong text lines tire the eyes, as do over-short ones.
• Readers find overlong lines strenuous to read.
• Too short of a line and your eye changes text lines too often.
• The key is ease of reading.
• Text must not impair the rhythm of reading.
• This can not apply to titles & subtitles.

MARGIN PROPORTIONS

• Margins can have influence on the overall feel of a page of print.
• Too small - looks overfull.
• Too large - Exaggeration.
• Well balanced margins on the sides, head & tail can create an agreeable impression.

I then drew 28 thumbnail sketches of potential layout designs following the rule we had been taught.

After creating some mock up designs we were then asked to create a few digitally and to experiment with grid, text boxes and type. I decided to create a few fashion based layouts from what I sketched using a 4x4 grid with a 3mm gutter as a intial guide.