Grid it be.
When creating a series of related pieces, it is helpful and effective to develop a grid system on which to base the designs. Grids help to inform your individual layouts, and – while they may seem limiting at first – can actually aid in revealing new and innovative designs that effectively balance consistency and variety within your series.
Grids should be developed before your designs in order to provide a framework in which to work. In your planning and brainstorming phase, consider how a grid could be implemented to create hierarchy, structure, and unity within your series.
As you design, ask yourself:
-Do you want your grid to be highly visible or subtle?
-What are the proportions of your grid?
-How do your elements (i.e., headline, image, supporting copy) occupy the spaces? Will this vary?
-How will you break out of the grid, in order to introduce variety and interest in your designs?
Inspirational resources
Josef Müller-Brockmann is esteemed for his use of grids in his designs.
Check out this collection of "forty-eight posters" by the Swiss teacher and designer
The Guerilla Girls are an underground but public group of anonymous women who bring to light issues of sexism and racism, especially in regards to art and politics.
Check out their series of posters addressing art museum discriminations
Comments
Ange -- I printed my persuasive poster on a color plotter at Rapson today (I wanted the satin finish). For this next series, could you help me find information about printing "true black" on a color printer? I'm pretty sure I've read that there is a different CMYK percentage combination for this, but I don't remember where I found that...
Thanks!
Posted by: Amy | February 19, 2008 08:37 PM