For my Making and Breaking the Grid project, I explored typography and layout through methodical exercises centered on grid systems. Starting with conceptual research, I developed 20+ hand-sketched thumbnails to generate composition ideas, refining these into a digital grid in InDesign. Then, I designed eight spread iterations following that grid, focusing on typographic attributes like weight, scale, and texture to create dynamic layouts. In the final stage, I explored typographic hierarchy, manipulating kerning, leading, and size to push readability and visual tension. The polished final spread reflects my exploration of grids, balancing structure with creative disruption to uncover new approaches to visual storytelling.
The Process
Part A: Build a Grid
In Part A, I began by selecting diverse articles from their prep work to inform their design exploration. Then, I sketched 20 thumbnails by hand on tracing paper, focusing on visual concepts rather than details. Next, I layered transparent thumbnails to identify alignments and proportions, creating at least eight grid sketches. Finally, I refined one grid, digitized it in InDesign, and built a structured layout using margins and columns, preparing a foundational design for a hypothetical publication.
Part B: Design a Spread
In Part B, I flowed text from one of my selected articles into the grid I created in Part A and explored typographic attributes such as typeface, size, weight, and texture. I developed eight unique drafts of a designed spread, experimenting with dynamic layouts while avoiding overly generic compositions. After receiving peer feedback during small group critiques, I refined one spread to improve its visual impact and cohesiveness.
Part C: Hierarchy Trials
In Part C, I focused on manipulating the typographic hierarchy of my finalized spread from Part B by adjusting typeface attributes such as kerning, leading, weight, and size. I also experimented with the use of color and explored how outlined text affected readability, pushing the boundaries of typographic expression. Throughout these iterations, I examined how these changes could transform visual emphasis and overall readability. This process allowed me to uncover new possibilities for enhancing the layout while balancing creative experimentation with functional design.
Part D: Finalized Spread
In Part D, I selected my strongest spread based on feedback from small group critiques and refined it further to create a polished final design. This stage focused on enhancing clarity, balance, and visual impact by addressing peer suggestions and fine-tuning elements such as typography, spacing, and alignment. The goal was to produce a cohesive and visually engaging spread that reflected my exploration of grid systems, hierarchy, and typographic experimentation throughout the project.