'Excellent choice for level 1 students, mainly due to the fact that the content is visual and concise and successfully covers both technical and creative aspects of design layout and grids.' Rhed Fawell, Middlesex University, UK

'As with all books in the basics design series, it is very clear, well structured and easy to navigate.' Philip Dixon, Southampton Solent University, UK

'Illustrates a wide range of approaches and delivers a clear description of the examples and encourages experimentation in design.' Ros Garland, Lincoln University, UK

'Very focussed. Covers all key elements and important issues in very clear and concise manner. Excellent book.' Rhiannon Robinson, Cumbria University, UK

Gavin Ambrose is a practising graphic designer whose client base includes the arts sector, galleries, publishers and advertising agencies. He has written and designed several books on graphic design, branding and packaging. Paul Harris is a freelance writer, journalist and editor. Paul writes for international magazines and journals in London and New York. He is a co-author and collaborator on books about packaging design and design principles.

Introduction. How to get the most out of this book. The need for grids: Organising information; How we read a page; How we view a screen; Form and function. Grid basics: ISO and paper sizes; Anatomy of a page; Measurements; Shapes on a page; Proportion; Hierarchy; Net and dot drawing; Drawing a grid; The rule of thirds; The rule of odds. Grid types: Symmetrical; Asymmetrical; Modules; Compound grids; Combinations; The horizontal; The vertical; Diagonal and angular grids. Grid elements: Type; The baseline; Images; Horizontal alignment; Vertical alignment; Columns; Column numbers; Column widths; Type and column widths; Narrow column widths; Wide measures; Folios. Grid usage: Pattern; Visible grids; Scale; The perimeter; Axis; Juxtaposition; White space; Environmental grids; Multiple-language grids; Caption-orientated grids; Quantitative information grids; The grid as expression. Grids on the web: Web basics; The digital grid; Orientation. Glossary. Conclusion. Acknowledgements. Contacts.