DVB201 Week 9 | The Grids/Editorial Design 3
Task 1 - Unpacking The Grid
For this task, a publication was to be selected, then its 'grid' was to be unpacked and critically analysed. The selected publication was an architectural design magazine known as INFOLINK.
The publication with and without the grids.
The main fonts that were used in this particular publication were a sans-serif DyeLine Medium, serving as a header font, and what seems to be a serif-type font which is similar to that of Times New Roman, which serves as the main body of text. This dynamic use of font effectively conveys its message and content, as the sans-serif font draws attention to the main topics of content and set a contemporary style for the publication, and the serif font makes all of its content very legible. This use of font also implies a hierarchy of content, by both using the different styles, weights and sizes to draw attention from the upper half section of the document, which is designed to grab the readers attention. Summary paragraphs are present as well in the document, as an enlarged letter, followed by the sans-serif typeface convey this. Weights for the summary paragraph are generally heavier than the main body of text, however this doesn't seem to always be the case. Depending on the topic of content for the page, sections of either quotes or summaries can be placed away from the main body of text. However this is often accompanied by an image relating to the content.
Generally, the publication follows a multi-column grid consisting of 2-3 columns per page. This was easily spotted, as the alignment of the main body of text followed down with invisible vertical margins. The page is also almost split into 3 rows of content across the page, with an exception of the margins of the page. Most of the page's content is split into 1/3 or 2/3rds, consisting of an image and the textual content. This balance of content is seemingly invisible to see at first glance, but after drawing up the grids, it becomes clear. Almost every content page has the publication date, volume number and the main 'chapter' topic, located in the top-middle of the page. This vertical alignment makes it easy to see which section of content the reader is viewing.
The publication shows a contemporary, modern style, which showcases visual content, in favour of a page full of text. The use of negative space is seen heavily through the publication, which makes it easy of the eyes to view. This style is very effective for this publication, as it its a modern architecture magazine, which is to showcase designs, and ideas.
Task 2 - Informational Sheet Design
For this task, an informational sheet was to be designed, putting into practice the knowledge gained on grids and alignment. Textual content and topics were provided beforehand. The final design uses a green colour-scheme, and features two sans-serif typefaces, Noteworthy (Both Light and Heavy), and Gill Sans (Regular to Bold).
Initial design idea, with wireframes as placeholders for images
Plain Text version of the design.
The finished product.
The grids and margins shown.
