This document discusses page layout and design. It explains how grids provide structure and organization to publications by dividing pages into columns. The number of columns depends on the publication format and content. Within the grid, typography is used to create visual hierarchy and guide readers through text. Imagery is placed strategically alongside text to further direct the eye and support the content. Proper formatting of text elements, line length, leading, and typeface selection makes text easier to read.

1. Chapter 5: Page Layout

2. Objectives Understand how grids provide unity and flow in a publication. Examine the ways grids can add organization and structure to a page. Learn how grids can be adapted to support a publication’s content, goal, and format. Understand how typography works within a grid. Examine how typography aids hierarchy and organization in a layout. Learn how to make text reader friendly. Learn how to combine typefaces harmoniously. Understand how imagery and text work together in a layout.

3. Simple Grids A grid can be as simple as a single vertical line in the center of a layout.

4. Multi-Column Grids More complex grids are comprised of several columns containing text.

5. Grids and Flow (Before) Grids add organization and flow to a layout. When there is no grid, visuals appear to be placed at random interrupting the flow of text.

6. Grids and Flow (After) Visuals appear in a more predictable and organized manner when they are aligned with a grid. Text flows smoothly from one column to the next.

7. Grids and Unity A two-column grid adds consistency and unity to this magazine.

8. Grids and Orientation The number of columns in a grid will often be determined by format and orientation. A six-column grid is more practical when an 8-1/2x11 inch page in a horizontal format.

9. Grids and Function The number of columns in a grid also depends on a publication’s function and goal. Linear reading usually requires no more than a single column grid.

10. Grids and Scale Size also affects the number of columns. Large-scale formats, such as a newspaper, can easily accommodate a six-column grid.

11. Modular Grids Modular grids can be broken down into smaller units. This layout shows a two-column grid broken down into four columns.

12. Flexible Grids Modular grid formats offer flexibility. This magazine’s six-column grid allows pages to be segmented into thirds as well as halved into two equal columns.

13. Horizontal Guides In addition to vertical grid lines, horizontal grid lines provide guides for aligning headings, page numbers and forming margins.

14. Typographic Contrast Typographic hierarchy is achieved with typographic contrast.

15. Typographic Hierarchy When readers scan a publication, they are drawn to the typographic elements that have the most dominance, such as an article title or headline.

16. Breaking Up Text Long passages of text are made more reader friendly with subheads, initial caps and other graphic treatments.

17. Editorial Rules Other rules related to reader-friendly type apply to editorial aspects of typography, such as how and where words can be broken.

18. Type Alignment Type alignment refers to arranging type so that it conforms to an imaginary axis.

19. Aesthetic Text Columns Working with columns of text involves aesthetic considerations such as the appearance of the “rag” on rag-right type.

20. Justified Columns and “Rivers” Other aesthetic considerations include occurrences of white spaces between words, called “rivers” in justified columns,

21. Paragraph Indentation Paragraph indents also need to be in proportion to a column’s width.

22. Optimal Line Length Long and short lines of text are hard to read. When leading is auto (2-3 points more than the size of the type in a column) optimal line length is 25 to 50 characters.

23. Leading and Readability Adding leading to columns of text can make it appear less dense and more reader friendly.

24. Letterspacing and Readability Letterspacing also affects readability. Words should not appear to be too crowded or interfere with differentiating word groupings.

25. Avoid Reversed Text Dark text against a light background is easier to read than light text against a dark background.

26. Mixing Typefaces Harmonious combinations of typefaces are based on contrast. Avoid combining typefaces that are similar but different.

27. Imagery in the Layout When combining type with imagery, strategically placed imagery can support eye movement by guiding a reader through a page or spread.

28. Combining Type and Imagery Placement of imagery and text elements should support each other, directing the viewer’s eye through strategic positioning.

29. Group Images When dealing with multiple images on a page, it often helps to group them so that they form a single compositional element.

30. Tweaking Image Placement • Use the baseline and x-height of adjoining text as a guide for placement of visuals in a layout.

31. Bleeds An image or any element on a page that extends beyond the grid and margin and off its edge is called a “bleed.” An image or color area that extends beyond all four edges of a page is called a “full bleed.”

32. Summary Grids provide structure, organization and continuity to a publication. Selecting a grid depends on a publication’s size and how many visuals are involved. Grids also provide guides for aligning imagery and text. Editors and publication designers have terms for the text elements on a page. It is important to break up large bodies of text with subheads and other elements.