Identify and Assess Grids in Use

Layout 1 solution

This report uses a three-rows-by-three-columns modular grid. Although there is only one element aligned to the grid on the second page, it is still there.

Layout 2 solution

This website uses a 4-column grid, with a number of elements at the top and bottom aligned to the edge of the page instead of the grid. Content which runs right from one edge of a page to the other is sometimes called “full bleed”. This refers to a printing term, because a full bleed image will run off the edge of the page and into the “bleed” area which gets trimmed off. See our annotations below.

Layout 3 solution

There is more to this layout than meets the eye! Looking at the first page, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is a pretty standard three-column layout. However, notice that there are also a number of vertical points of alignment too, creating extra structure. Also, by looking at the varying widths of text areas on the second page, we can figure out that the grid actually contains nine columns rather than three.

Side note...

All of these examples contain elements that sit outside the grid, and may or may not be aligned to it. In print design in particular, these elements are called “page furniture”.

This term generally refers to repeated elements like page numbers, headers, footers, and so on. Although they are visually small, these elements often still play a very important role in creating structure and consistency throughout a design.