I used this quote from Albert Einstein because it reminds me of how a "grid structure" can sometimes seem limiting or possibly "stifle" one's imagination.
Design notes: The grid is 1"x1". Using Adobe Illustrator's grid preferences, I had to go to a subset of 1/8". You can see it at the bottom of the design.
The font "Helvetica" was developed by Max Miedinger with Eduard Hoffmann in 1957 at the Haas’sche Schriftgiesserei (Haas type foundry) of Münchenstein, Switzerland.
This design uses Helvetica Neue 97 Black Condensed.
Helvetica... a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which recently celebrated its 50th birthday) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. Helvetica is used profusely in the Swiss Style.
19 comments:
In the early 1980s, a reaction against the entrenchment of the grid, particularly its dogmatic use, and association with corporate culture, resulted in some designers rejecting its use in favor of more organic structure.
What are your thoughts? When do you determine to use a mathematical grid over an organic structure? How do you know when an organic structure works?
-g
Other than use within the corporate culture, I don't think that using grids will hinder an artist's design. Instead, I think a designer can use a mathematical grid to work in his or her favor.
Looking at the "Imagination" typography does give me the feeling of structure, but not in a bad way. The design is efficient, allowing the most amount of information to fit in the smallest space possible.
Ancient Greece brought us geometrics but since then art has evolved into an interest that is freeform dominant. Curves that don't follow a mathematical structure show an artist's freedom of expression. However, if seldom used, a more solid and geometric structure may seem more appealing than an organic one. In other words, geometric structure may be the alternative with more freedom. When a composition dares to be different, it catches and keeps the eye of the viewer, even if it does so by following the rules (a.k.a. grids).
-Mitch Davis
I think that there are certain types of people that limit themselves, or let themselves be limited, by something like a mathematical grid. An organic structure can be just as limiting to these personalities depending on how it is used. It's not about the layout really. It's about the approach you take and the style of your thought processes when you're working with any kind of design.
A mathematical grid implies outside order being imposed, but that isn't necessarily true. An organic structure implies something being built, but that isn't necessarily true either. The problem is that both words, both grid and structure, have history and associations that immediately pop into mind when they are used. A mathematic grid can easily be grown; just look at rock candy or crystals. And an organic structure can just as easily be imposed.
If I were creating a layout for anything really, I would have to look at the feelings I wanted to evoke and the result that I was trying to achieve before I could decide on a mathematical grid vs. an organic structure. I would also have to keep in mind the knee-jerk reaction that people generally have to both styles.
An organic structure works when you achieve whatever result you were aiming for, and whenever it becomes a part of the message you are trying to portray.
-Ylan Salsbury
I think that the grid is a useful tool. I don't think that it would really hinder anyone's ability to make an organic structure.
I like the grid because it is a really effective way to get the point of the text across, while organic structures seem to be more for design elements than readability.
I think that using a design on a grid is a decent idea but is not something i would not be doing unless i was told to do so. The style to me would definantly create a very perfect refined look.
I do think that it is a good thing when there is all the information in a small compact space.
Matt Haubert
I tend to really love the 'grid' look, because it can give the designer perameters to work by. I do however, think that as a designer you shouldn't limit yourself to use a grid at all times. I think that we need to be able to do both structured and 'free' peices as well as rigid and precise. As far as helvetica goes.... I don't really have a strong opinion for or against it. I don't think that it should be pushed to the side by more 'artsy' designers just because it is more formal. We as designers should never build a box around our style... 'I never do this!', 'I never use that!', why limit yourself?
babino_ashley
Most designers will always hit some walls in their designing. Sometimes your brain might just shut off and you can't design anything. What ever your opinion is on using the grid or organic structure, I think it would be really immature not to try that technique in order for you to meet the deadline of a client.
You know when an organic or grid structure works when you ask about 20 people if they get the direction the designer is going towards.
You determine at the beginning of your designing a piece because of your client and the direction the company is going in and at the end when you revamp your concepts. =)
Jerry M
I think that most of the time a grid is a great tool to help graphic designers create images that are aesthetically pleasing, even if that image is more organic in appearance than mechanical - after all math and nature aren't mutually exclusive - just look at the Fibonacci Sequence. It's a mathematical formula and everything from seashells to flower petals to the human body's proportions follow it - it's almost a formula for beauty (look it up on Wikipedia if you don't believe me). So yes, I think a grid can and very often is a very good thing to use - after all, just because it was planned doesn't mean it can't look natural.
Thinking "outside the grid" can be difficult situation when considering the technology we use for almost every bit of design that goes off of the paper and into a professional standard.
For example: Every bit of text I'm typing now is dictated by a mathematical equation of 1's and 0's. When I press submit it sends a structured code to the blogger server. Then your computer displays my post in exactly the way that code was interpreted by the rules and structure of the W3C and your own personal computer.
My point being that graphic design programs whether they deal with vector or raster images, they intern still deal with a mathematical equations, which then determines structure. So in all actuality we are all designing in grids. Even though we cannot see them, they are there.
the choice to use a mathematical grid or an organic structure should be based on the specific design problem in question. If you reject the use of a grid structure because you feel it has been overused, you are simply limiting possible design solutions. During the thumbnail stage of your design process would be the ideal time to explore the potential of each option.
one consideration could be whether you want your design to have a formal or informal quality. another consideration would be the intended audience. Ultimatley, it's the meaning you are striving to create which will help determine the most successful structure.
chris plat
In order to start things off on the right foot, we first need to identify that the early 1980's was a strange era in the first place. It was a transition from the 70's into the 90's; or from disco to alternative, bellbottoms to calvin klein.
The grid is an enormously useful tool, but it needs to be used in the correct context and environment. In my personal style i use the grid whenever i'm creating a piece that demands absolute rigidity, professionalism, and organization. Usually such pieces won't distract the eye which lets the viewer find what they need much faster than an organic layout.
That being said, if you have a multi-page composition and you use the organic style based upon rules setup from the beginning so that the viewer knows what to expect from page 1, they will easily be able to find what they need because they have taken the extra few seconds to familiarize themselves with the layout.
I think you can go too far with either style, both grid and organic, but in my opinion the final verdict on organic or grid; or a composition of both will be determined by thinking about the needs and identity of the client that I'm working with.
Jaron Ballard
I think depending on the design problem and what you are trying to accomplish, both the grid and organic structures can be used. When you are trying to conserve space, or send a formal, traditional message, the grid can definitely work to your advantage. However, if you are trying to send a more "loose" or open-ended message, a more organic style could be more beneficial.
I think it should be the designers call which format to use -- and I think sometimes you won't know what works until you spend some time with trial and error, and see firsthand.
Organic design is been highly used in the last years.It gives a more "natural and artistic" feeling to a composition but so does a well designed grid composition.
Everyday i see how corporate organizations ask graphic designers to create more organic design, and more and more companies of the "buch" fall into the big torrent with other companies trying to sell their stuff with the same kind of design tendency.
a design such as a web page can tell a whole lot about a company. A layout for a website for Bank of America will never be as dynamic as the layout for a skateboarding company.
It is up to us as graphic designers, to know when to use serious mathematical design and when to push our imagination to the edge and go for a more artistic/organic solution; and it will be always good to know how far a client is willing to go with a design and remember that we are not trying to fulfill our desire, but instead the one of the client.
-S.L
Certainly there are many situations in which an organic structure would be more suited to a particular design than a grid structure. Designs intended to evoke a sense of calm or tranquility, or those directly connecting to nature in some way would, for example, benefit from a more organic structure. However, to discard the grid altogether would be a serious mistake. There are numerous situations for which the grid would be much more appropriate than an organic design. Designs trying to impart messages of order and structure would benefit greatly from a grid-style format, and could actually be hurt by an organic layout.
-Justin Gil
There is both good and bad to grid structures. I like how the grids can give a design a "formal" look. But, at times I can understand it being too constraining. I would use a grid structure for a more business-like look and for text. I much prefer the organic structure to the grid structure, only because I feel there is more room to let creativity flow. I'm not saying that you can't be creative with a grid structure. You sure can be with text. Design wise though, I would stick with organic.
-Melissa G.
As designers,I dont think we should put any limitations on when where how or why.I do think different problems call for different solutions,and as designers,it is up to us to figure out the right solution,whether on or off the grid.I do think on the grid and organic have both positive and negative results,and its up to us to figure out what works best for the problem at hand. -D.O.
I believe that the grid is a wonderful tool to use. When I want a design to be simple and clean I base it off the grid to get balance and structure. Organic structure works when a design has the appearance to step out of the grid and still look good with no structure, like an ad for nature or sometimes even posters.It depends on what kind of look you want the design to have.
I think that the grid can not be totally disguarded. I guess it’s up to the audience that we are trying to reach, do they require more mathematical structure or do they require more organic structure . For instance the computer club might enjoy looking at a grid with some meaning, but on the other hand the art club would be more interested with artistic free flowing graphics. So my conclusion is that the audience, or the people we want to reach should help make that decision for us.
Grids are deffinately a great tool to use when designing typographic images. However it is often over used. That's why it was so rejected in the 80's by some designers.
However I believe that it does have it's place and purpose. For instance I believe that is a more formal typographic design, so it should be used more in corperate businesses and such. Organic structures are more for less formal and more artsy designs.
That's me though...my personal preferances and beliefs.
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