One thing which nobody ever taught me about as a graphic design student was grids, how crazy is that? Grids must be one of the most fundamental elements of design and can help make sense from chaos. Immediately by using a grid it helps you find a sense of balance within a layout, that’s not to say you shouldn’t break out of the grid, but it is definitely a good starting point.
At the start of a design job instead of jumping straight on the computer take a short time to scribble some ideas on a paper – ideally a layout pad. A layout pad is ideal as you can process your ideas, if something doesn’t look quite right, then trace over the bits that do work and adapt the bits that don’t. By spending a short time sketching you can save yourself hours on the computer.
To illustrate my point I have created an example. I quite often have to produce promotional leaflets (single side A4) selling exhibition systems and equipment, so this fictitious example is based on that. The leaflet will require the following – sale flash (or the word Sale pulled out in some way), heading, intro text, logo, 5 products – consisting each of heading, photo, bullets and price point, call to action (phone number etc).
The first thing to consider is your 5 products, what sort of grid would be needed to show 5 products?
You could have:
- a 4 column grid with one large product pulled out across all the columns and the other 4 across a column each below (sketch 1 and 4).
- a 2 column grid with a flash balancing off one of the products at the top (sketch 2)
- a 6 column grid with 2 larger products using 3 columns each and 3 products below using 2 columns each (sketch 3)
There are lots of other possibilities too.
I can then decide that maybe I would like one product to break out of the grid, maybe bleed off the page (sketch 1), where I would like to place my sale mark, logo and other elements so they balance with the products and other elements. Beyond this I sometimes ad notes on the type of heading – distressed, very bold and perhaps sketch in a rough idea of a graphic (stars sketch 4) (though I sometimes leave this until after I have input all the elements on the computer).
I spent about 30 minutes scribbling these sketches but in that time I can see the designs that work best and those that don’t, saving me time experimenting on the computer. I don’t like the balance of sketch 2 or the heading in the middle on sketch 4, Both 3 and 1 look ok but, but sketch 1 looks a bit more interesting so I would probably begin working it up to a rough layout in quark xpress. That doesn’t mean that what I sketched is fixed in stone, but it acts as a good starting point. The budget, for me for a leaflet like this is quite tight, so by spending a little time sketching at first, I save myself a lot of time in the long run.
The more experienced you get the easier it is to “SEE” a layout. I get an idea what will work and what won’t with a layout far quicker now that when I first started out in design. I think the sketch and grid are a the key to speeding up the process.
What processes do you use the create layout based designs?
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27 Comments
Always great to see more of your sketches, Tara. It gives a real feel for your design process.
I agree with the importance of sketching in the creative process. Sketching is a good time to think about what we really want, I don’t think it’s really possible to really focus on thinking in front of the computer. I’d even say that 30 minutes is not enough.
Hi Mirko, Thanks for your comments. I only spent 30 minutes on these at it is the kind of job I do on a regular basis so I know what the client wants (and its a tight budget). They also generally want a pretty simple design. Where a concept is required or a more “inspired” design is required I would definitely spend far longer for the sketches. To me the sketching process is all about initial decision making.
I had a prof that forced us to do about 50 logo sketches with sharpie markers before jumping on the computer. It helped start the creative juices flowing easier since there was no pressure for each idea to be brilliant or thoroughly thought out. Also, sketching with a marker forced us to get ideas across quickly without worrying about details.
I’ve found the same holds for websites, motion graphics pieces as well as print layouts.
Tara, have you found any success with sketching on the computer, like with a Wacom tablet?
Tara: of course I wasn’t talking about your sketches (which are good) in my comment, but about the ideal working process. I know how difficult it is to find time for lower budget projects.
Hi Drew
. I know what you mean about letting your creative juices flow, you don’t worry when sketching – you take risks. I have tried a Wacom tablet, but I just don’t get on with it for sketching, though I have used it a couple of times for illustrations. Its nice to have a break away from the computer screen too. Do you use a Wacom tablet for sketching?
Wow 50 logo sketches, that sounds on par with David’s sketches for his own logo
Hi Mirko, no offense taken
I agree with you ideally much longer should be spent at the sketch stage, but any preliminary work helps.
I definitely agree with the need for preliminary sketches. In the film world there’s an entire industry that does “sketches” for complicated effects shots, and in some cases, entire movies. It’s called pre-vis.
It’s a really basic idea, measure twice, cut once kind of thing, and not a lot of schools really emphasize the importance of being able to work things out on paper first.
Now as for the grid thing… That’s a big gray area. Of course the internet is one big grid, and blocks of text are definitely more readable in a grid. but to make elements truly stand out you have to break the grid… this is of course coming from a deconstructivist.
Everything is balance.
Great article!
Hi Jeremy, Thanks for commenting,
I can imagine that sketching and story boarding for films takes some real skill and knowledge – knowing how to break things sown into frames. Is that the sort of work you do?
I am a little obsessed with grids I am afraid though I do agree that you shouldn’t remain rigid to it, just use it as a starting point.
Drew wrote, “I had a prof that forced us to do about 50 logo sketches with sharpie markers before jumping on the computer.”
I had exactly the same thing.
“Here’s the logo!”
“Do 30 more”, said the professor.
“…what?”
I really didn’t understand before weeks later.
Good post, Tara! I recently finished reading Thinking With Type (yeah, I’m still at the basics :p), which had a great chapter on grids.
Hi Asgeir, Thanks.
Is the book any good? I’m a sucker for a good design book.
Always like to see creative sketches after a direction is set. Being asking some of my younger creative colleagues to do so but they are so earnest to skip the process to work the design onto the mac directly. As a suit, I found sketches useful for several reasons:
1. If the creative direction is in line with the marketing objective
2) If the layout sufficiently “shout” out the focal point
3) use it as a base to do a second round of brainstorming with my team
4) where necessary, use it as a base for a further discussion with the client.
5) save time as it’s easier to improvise with a visual in place than an idea in the head.
Whether it’s design, copy or headline there is a process. Sketching, doodling, scribbling help to crystallize a formless idea into actuality.
Thinking With Type by Ellen Lupton is a great design book. I haven’t seen or read anything by here that I don’t think is A+. The website is http://www.thinkingwithtype.com/
Hi Vivienne,
I really like it when a client is happy to see roughs first, like you say you can tell if the design is on the right lines of what is required.
Hi Jay, I will take a look at that thanks
Hi Tara,
“Is the book any good? I’m a sucker for a good design book.”
Yeah, like Jay says, it is great! I read one of Spiekermann’s books recently, and I actually thought Thinking With Type was way better. Very thorough, and it covers grid systems well.
Hey I really like this blog, starting on paper can be so beneficial in the long run and can save huge amounts of time. I agree with you not very much attention is paid to the very basics of graphic design anymore, such simply things as starting with a grid can’t be overlooked.
Sam
They sure do. It’s great to master doing sketches too. Really helpful.
very useful post; i just started to dabble in these waters and i find making a few ‘paper’ sketches before i start working on screen actually speeds things up alot.
too true, a 5 min sketch can save you hours in the long run …. what ever you are doing, a website, garden design, etc
Awsome blog, when designing anything now I always sketch out a rough layout before building it on a computer. I tend to do alot more with website now, to build the layout. Because once that is out the way you can pretty much design without stopping. Definitely a huge time saver.
Thanks alot.
I’ve recently started seeking out “proper” design advice and education. My degree is in computers, so I tend to “design” like a programmer (badly). One of the hardest things to find was a GOOD tutorial on grid design. It just doesn’t seem to be taught any more. Or else it’s stuck in dusty old design books from the 50′s.
As far a sketches go…anyone who fires up photoshop for a new design without doing at least a simple doodle on a napkin should have their mouse taken away!
John,
Design books from the 50s are often the best sources of knowledge you can find. Study them!
I wish i could code css im thinking about taking a course at the local college
Hmm.. never thought of doing sketches and grids. So I guess it really speeds up the process? I know someone who just jumps to the computer and finds that he can’t get what he want or loses what he wanted. Lots of time wasted!
That is what makes a professional stand out from others. If you can see a layout with its positive or negative aspects at a glance. Small changes can mean a lot of difference in the design. I think a good designer has to be good at sketching.
I was also never taught about nets and grids, i was in higher education for seven years where i studied art and design, graphic design and E commerce design and i not once did i even here the word net or grid, I think it was because my tutors themselves did not even know about them. So in the end i brought a great book online and taught myself. After that the landscape of my design totally changed, if your in design, you should definitely have look at different grid systems and play around with some layouts, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
Hello All,
How do you use a layout pad? I think I mignht know but am not to sure. I u7nderstand it is transparent paper.
Thank you,
Best wishes
Graeme
I agree with you completely. It is always good to sketch. It allows the ideas to flow more freely in my openion. Sometimes when I get stuck on the computer I will go back to my sketches and find something that really helps me to move things along. As far as grids are concerned. Yes, they are always a good starting points, and in many cases if you stick completely to the grid you will be better off. That is not to say that you cannot go off the grid. I believe that a good grid can really make a project. Lots to think about. Thanks for the post!
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