Grids: The Structure of Graphic Design

Rating:
Summary: Bad Design, Good Content
Review: First let me say that "Grids" is one of the few books available on the subject of layout grids in graphic design for magazines, newspapers, brochures, etc. I had high hopes for Grids, especially since it ships with a disk of real-world templates to experiment with.

Trouble with Grids is its awful graphic design and typography. Many pages are soaked in black ink, for no clear reason, with reverse body type. If they aren't all black, then they are bright yellow with black text, printed on spit-shined glossy pages, making it an incredibly uncomfortable book to read. In addition, information is sprayed onto the page without clear intent. There isn't a lot of inspirational copy either. "Grids" simply presents the data and moves on.

If the colors aren't ugly enough, the typography will make you scream. Body type is set in the incredibly dull Helvetica, and the chapter headings have rivers of letterspacing.

The book is in serious need of updating / redesign, and that includes the "disk". You may assume it's a CD-ROM, but it's not. It's a 3.5" floppy. If you have a new Macintosh, better make sure you have a floppy drive.

But asthetics aside, this full length book is the only one I've ever found that tackles the topics of grids, which is the sole reason why the book is probably worth having.

What are "Grids" anyhow? Grids are the fundamental backbone of magazines, newspapers, and just about any professionally designed publication. They are a framework of horizontal and vertical guides, symmetrical and at times asymetrical, that provide a consistent harmony in your work. Ever notice how when you flip through a magazine that your eyes almost intuitively knows where to go? That's because of the invisible grid that holds the whole piece together.

It's surprises me that this is one of the few books on this topic. I just wish it was a bit clearer in focus, wasn't so dry, or ugly.

Rating:
Summary: Bad Design, Good Content
Review: First let me say that "Grids" is one of the few books available on the subject of layout grids in graphic design for magazines, newspapers, brochures, etc. I had high hopes for Grids, especially since it ships with a disk of real-world templates to experiment with.

Trouble with Grids is its awful graphic design and typography. Many pages are soaked in black ink, for no clear reason, with reverse body type. If they aren't all black, then they are bright yellow with black text, printed on spit-shined glossy pages, making it an incredibly uncomfortable book to read. In addition, information is sprayed onto the page without clear intent. There isn't a lot of inspirational copy either. "Grids" simply presents the data and moves on.

If the colors aren't ugly enough, the typography will make you scream. Body type is set in the incredibly dull Helvetica, and the chapter headings have rivers of letterspacing.

The book is in serious need of updating / redesign, and that includes the "disk". You may assume it's a CD-ROM, but it's not. It's a 3.5" floppy. If you have a new Macintosh, better make sure you have a floppy drive.

But asthetics aside, this full length book is the only one I've ever found that tackles the topics of grids, which is the sole reason why the book is probably worth having.

What are "Grids" anyhow? Grids are the fundamental backbone of magazines, newspapers, and just about any professionally designed publication. They are a framework of horizontal and vertical guides, symmetrical and at times asymetrical, that provide a consistent harmony in your work. Ever notice how when you flip through a magazine that your eyes almost intuitively knows where to go? That's because of the invisible grid that holds the whole piece together.

It's surprises me that this is one of the few books on this topic. I just wish it was a bit clearer in focus, wasn't so dry, or ugly.

Rating:
Summary: download disk of grids .....
Review: I HAVE A NUM. OF Grids: The Structure of Graphic Design
by Andre Jute BUT DISK IS DAMAGE. I NEED TO DISK

Rating:
Summary: Grrrr....ids
Review: I thought Todd Dominey's review of this book was pretty well on the mark. There is some new information in Jute's book that I haven't seen elsewhere and information on the subject of grids is not easy to find. At the University of New South Wales this book is popular enough to rate a three day loan period.