Grid Analysis Exercise
Novel
This seems like a manuscript grid, the easiest grid structure that has a single column or block grid. The purpose of the grid is to give a structure to a continuous block of text so it is easier to read for the viewers and continue onto the next page with ease. It also provides a place for a header and a footer where, in this case, the title of the book is located on the header and the page numbers on the footer. The information is organized with a block of text in the middle with a specific margin. The margins help the readers rest their eyes somewhere while they read. The margins can create some interesting designs if the margins are manipulated.
Magazine
This seems like a modular grid, that resembles the column grid but with horizontal divisions marked by rows. The purpose of the grid, in this case, is to give a structured space for the image, caption, title, and subtitle. The modular grid help indicates each chunk of information in the magazine and guides the readers to read it in a certain way. The modular organizes the information with evenly distributing information throughout the page, giving it a specific location for each information. The title and the subtitle are located on the left top side while the image takes up about six spaces on the right to create structure the captions are on the far left side of the grid. It also uses spacing/gutter to separate the text out so it doesn’t feel cluttered or overwhelming. Each gutter is measured exactly and it doesn’t change. This magazine also has a location for the page numbers in the footer. This grid system keeps the design proportions consistent throughout this specific article to indicate that it is the same article that the readers are viewing.
Textbook
This seems like a combination of a column grid and a manuscript grid, but it is represented more with a column grid due to the gutter and additional image and captions on the left side. The purpose of this grid is to separate the main text from the secondary text. This column grid is dependent and independent of each information, the figure and captions need additional information which is in the main text body which takes up two-column spaces. The gutter space is indicated with a visual graphic line. The column grid organizes the information by allowing the main text body to take up two spaces of the column while letting the figure and caption take up the left side of the column. This grid also creates a space on top for the page number and the chapter number. It also has margins around the grid, so it does resemble the manuscript a bit. This gives the readers a break when reading the text.
Website
This seems like a hierarchial gird, that is based more on the intuitive placement of the elements, to conform to the needs of the information being presented. The purpose of this grid is to show the important information on the top that establishes the information on the bottom. In the “The Wall Street Journal” website, the website is organized by the company title on the top with subtitles of the categories right below. On the front page, of the website, the information and each article are organized in some kind of column that separates the recent, most important news from the other. The categories also have a hierarchy with the amount of space each content take ups. This grid system helps unify the elements and create a superstructure for organization.
