Layout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grids

by Beth Tondreau

Adhering to certain layout and grids standards and principles is important for any job from brochures, to annual reports, to posters, to websites, to publications. However, knowing how to bend the rules and make certain grids work for the job at hand takes skill. This book outlines and demonstrates basic layout/grid guidelines and rules through 100 entries including choosing a typeface, striving for rhythm and balance with type, combining typefaces, using special characters and kerning and legibility. These essentials of grid design are critical to the success of any job.
 

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Art Design, Reference, Art, Creative, Education

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Michelle Carrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally feel that this books should have been titled just "Layout Essentials". I get that by tacking on the number 100 it will pique interest and drive sales but after about 75 Layouts it felt as if they were reaching and trying to make-up the rest. There were slight grammatical errors, hanging quotation marks and the like. Couple that with over used words like "Handsome" and "Surprise" and this book started to feel less and less informational and more corny. Don't get me wrong, it is excellent for reference material. I just wish it didn't try so hard to be relevant. The subject itself is more than relevant enough on its own.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas and inspiration, also a terrific introduction to grids. I also agree with what someone else wrote that they seemed to have to kinda stretch it to get to that "100" number. It has about 60-70 great ones and the rest offer some help but nothing ground breaking.

[Alexandra Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to have on hand for inspiration. The last pages include a glossary of terms, questions/steps to take as you design and books recommended.

[Puella Sole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kao početniku, ova knjiga mi je bila prilično inspirativna i korisna. Bilo je tu zanimljivih ideja, drago mi je što je sve praćeno primjerima (koji u ovakvim slučajevima znače mnogo više od pukog pisanja), samo bih voljela da ih je bilo malo više međusobno različitih.

[Konstancja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Layout Essentials is a book that provides a guide to using grids in design. The book is written by Beth Tondreau, a design professor and author, and provides a detailed and comprehensive guide to the principles and techniques of using grids in layout design.

One key learning point from the book is the importance of understanding the different types of grids and how to use them effectively in design. Tondreau discusses the various types of grids, including modular, hierarchical, and symmetrical grids, and provides tips and techniques for using each type of grid to create effective layouts. She also discusses the importance of considering the context in which the layout will be used, and how to choose the appropriate grid for the project.

Another key learning point is the importance of understanding the principles of visual hierarchy and how to use them to guide the layout process. Tondreau discusses how visual hierarchy involves organizing and prioritizing content in a way that guides the viewer's attention and makes the layout more effective and coherent. She provides tips and techniques for using visual hierarchy to create effective layouts that are easy to navigate and understand.

Overall, I would rate the book 3/5. The book provides a wealth of useful and practical tips and techniques for using grids in design, and the content is well-organized and easy to follow. However, some readers may find that the focus on grids may not be as applicable to certain types of design projects or industries, and some of the content may be overly technical for some readers.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very enjoyable to read.

I remember my lecturers placing heavy importance on grids every time we worked on our design projects. It wasn't something we were taught, so this book particularly stood out for its' 100 principles in an area I clearly needed help in.

This book and its’ layout made reading so easy. It was clear, direct, and each principle was strengthened with an image that made it easier to understand how it is used in practice. It included inspirations from various materials such as catalogues, posters, instruction manuals, magazines, websites from the West and Asia, which I really appreciate.

This book also included layouts for more complicated materials like charts, tables and infographics, which I now have a newfound appreciation and respect for. I can’t wait to visit my local transportation hub to pick up the train maps and see the layout in action. This is something I'll definitely be paying more attention to from now onwards.

Despite being a resource book, the personality of the author comes through in their descriptions for each project. It is always such a joy to read as it plays on the topic, and makes it more entertaining.

I can't wait to put what I learnt in action.

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

cuốn này cũng như những cuốn khác, viết vài dòng miêu tả rồi minh họa bằng mấy thiết kế, và cũng như những cuốn khác, chỉ nhặt nhạnh được vài thứ nhỏ bé, không rõ là do mình không biết cách học từ những loại sách kiểu này hay do mình chưa tìm được đúng sách để học. Từ cuốn này, thấy rằng nên dùng multicolumn nhiều hơn, trước giờ chỉ biết và sử dụng luẩn quẩn một grid đơn giản nhất. Phải note vào để biết tìm được đúng sách vất vả như nào và vì mình cũng cống hiến cả ngày để đãi cát tìm vàng ở đây cơ mà.

[Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title says essentials but the content contains the inessential. Layout 80 says, “Use Helvetica”. As a coffee book it will have its audience but for a book including the word principles it wildly misses the mark.

There isn’t any useful discussion of the layouts at all. Some designs are downright clumsy. But the author will sing its praise.

Disappointing.

[Casey Gerber · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first few pages are comprised of solid, core concepts on using grids in graphic design. The rest is inspiration that becomes repetitive and sometimes off-topic. There were some examples that I felt weren't representing the concept the author suggested they were representing. Overall not a great design book in my opinion, wouldn't recommend it.

[kimyunalesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and funny book.

[Aadidev Sooknanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful quick reference guide for an absolute beginner (like myself)
I love the amount and nature of examples provided

[Robin Jansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

An extensive article would've sufficed.

[Noora Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick reference guide to think from multiple directions.

[Seven Pesos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful design resource.

[Ngọc Trân Bạch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice inspiration, however, its requires base of graphics for understand the theories

[Ana Gabriela Quiroz Barriga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ayudó bastante a tener luces sobre el uso de las grillas

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I would definitely say that there is a lot of useless and obvious information in this book, it does contain a few good tips on working with grids. Reading it will cost you very little time, due to short explanations and numerous examples. It's not a very professional book, but certainly worth going through once. Perhaps this will not be very interesting for professionals in the graphic design field.

[Muhammed Mustafa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is useful and gave lots of introductory information. It also has lots of examples to grids used by various designers. I was expecting some means of "HOW TO BREAK A PAGE" and create grids... which this book didnt. In short, really useful if you are new to grids and layouts.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction and an example of show vs. tell.

[Zokky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a quick inspiration lookup

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was awesome, I can't believe how much I learned from this book and am actually able to use at work.

[Jess]

The actual suggestions weren't that useful - mostly common sense, really. Plenty of examples, though, which served as great inspiration.

[Jonellys Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has tons of useful information along with pictures. I would definitely recommend this book to other graphic design students :)

[Carlos Úbeda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nada que ver con los "Principios universales de diseño", de la misma colección. Orientado, más que nada, a dirección de arte de revistas. Decepcionante.

[Frederick Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the diagrams and found it very inspirational, but would appreciate more text/theory to go along with it.

[Lindsay Coppens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great inspiration through varied examples.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best explanation of grids and their use I have ever seen.

[Zel Polev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book with good examples of designs based on grids.

[Phillip Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slapping some words and pictures on a page and calling it done rarely works. Planning for the design helps keep the final result readable and organized. In Layout Essentials, Beth Tondreau shares 100 ways to use grids in designs.

The book is full of practical tips to use to make sure people can understand what you are saying in your design, while keeping it interesting. Each tip is accompanied with examples and illustrations to let you see how it is applied.

Divided into the types of grids, like single and multi column, the sections are easy to understand and apply. The reasons for each layout style are explained so that you can better incorporate them into your work, not just recite them as a set of rules.

I've been exposed to designing using grids, albeit without thinking about it as such. I tend to stick with single and double columns, but seeing the options, and how to properly use them, I'm going to try to branch out and change up my designs. Incorporating different layouts and using colors as more than just highlights will open up a lot more possibilities. This will keep my clients, and me, from getting bored with the same old thing.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.