Grid structures provide order and structure to website design, instilling confidence in users. The 960 grid system is a popular flexible option that allows for layouts in various column configurations. Examples of successful websites using the 960 grid include the Drupal content management site and Sony Music site. Designing your own grid also allows flexibility through options like multi-column and modular grids.

1. Grid Structure IN WEB DESIGN

2. So why use grids? If a website is designed with a structured layout, then that feeling of structure comes through to the user in their first impression. It implies that thought has been given to how the website is to deliver its information to the user and therefore gives the user confidence in the website.

3. Trends in using grids–960gs The 960 gs is no doubt a very good grid system because of its flexibility. It helps designers to quickly prototype the layout in any number of columns: 9 x 3, 3 x 3 x 3, 4 x 4 x 4 x 4, 10 x 2 col and so on. 960gs is probably the most popular grid system now and it has been used on many sites and design templates. http://960.gs/

4. 960gs examples The design for the Drupal content management website

5. 960gs examples The design for the Sony Music website

6. 960gs examples The design for interactive artist Hugh Griffith’s portfolio

7. 960gs examples The design for Black Vineyard’s e-commerce website.

8. What about designing your OWN grid? IT COULD BE EASIER…

9. Multi-column Grids Create a grid for the most amount of flexibility with columns of information and imagery. You could design a 8 column grid that can also function as a 4 column or 2 column grid. Modular Grids This grid type has even more possibilities of variation with consistent vertical and horizontal divisions that can govern placement and cropping of images.