Grids are the unsung heroes of graphic design. While often invisible in the final product, these underlying structures play a crucial role in organizing content, guiding the reader‘s eye, and maintaining visual consistency. As a designer, learning how to effectively use grids is a fundamental skill that will elevate the quality and professionalism of your work.
Adobe InDesign, the industry-standard software for print and digital publishing, offers several built-in tools and settings for creating grids. Whether you‘re designing a magazine layout, corporate brochure, book chapter, or web page, understanding how to harness the power of grids will streamline your workflow and improve the end result.
In this article, we‘ll dive into four essential methods for making grids in InDesign:
- Baseline Grids for Consistent Vertical Rhythm
- Document Grids for Modular Layouts
- Column Grids for Flexible Content Organization
- Custom Guide Grids for Unique Requirements
We‘ll explain the purpose and advantages of each grid type, walk through the technical setup process, and share expert tips and best practices gleaned from over a decade of professional design experience. Plus, we‘ll explore some fascinating history and theory behind grid systems that will deepen your appreciation for this essential design principle.
But First, a Word on Why Grids Matter
Legendary Swiss graphic designer Josef Müller-Brockmann, pioneer of the grid system, famously said:
"The grid system is an aid, not a guarantee. It permits a number of possible uses and each designer can look for a solution appropriate to his personal style. But one must learn how to use the grid; it is an art that requires practice."
In other words, grids are not a rigid formula but a flexible tool for bringing order and clarity to your designs. When used thoughtfully, grids can:
- Establish a logical structure and hierarchy
- Promote visual harmony and cohesion
- Facilitate easy navigation and comprehension
- Provide a framework for creative expression
- Save time in the design process
With these benefits in mind, let‘s explore how InDesign can help you master the art of the grid.
Method 1: Using Baseline Grids for Typographic Harmony
Baseline grids are the foundation of professional typography and essential for text-intensive layouts. By aligning all text to a consistent vertical rhythm, baseline grids create a polished, easy-to-read flow that guides the eye down the page.
InDesign‘s baseline grid acts like ruled notebook paper behind your text frames. You can customize the spacing (leading) and positioning to match your primary text style, then "snap" all paragraphs to the grid lines. The result is flawlessly aligned columns and pages, even with different type sizes.
Here‘s how to set up a baseline grid in InDesign:
- Go to Edit > Preferences > Grids (PC) or InDesign > Preferences > Grids (Mac).
- Under "Baseline Grid," choose a light color and style for the grid lines.
- Enter values for:
- Increment Every: distance between baselines (e.g. 12 pt for body text)
- Start: position of first baseline relative to page top or top margin
- View Threshold: minimum zoom % to display grid
- Click OK. The grid is now active on all pages.
To apply the baseline grid to text:
- Select the Type tool and click inside a text frame.
- Open the Paragraph panel (Window > Type & Tables > Paragraph).
- Click the "Align to baseline grid" icon at the bottom of the panel.
- Repeat for all text frames you want to snap to the grid.
Pro Tip: Set your body text composition to "Align to Baseline Grid" in Paragraph Styles to automatically format all threaded text frames. You can adjust spacing above/below headings using Space Before/After controls to maintain the grid.
Baseline grids work seamlessly across single or multi-column layouts. For complex projects like books and annual reports, a well-defined baseline grid is the key to consistent, professional typography.
However, baseline grids are not ideal for every situation. Headlines, callouts, captions, and infographics often look better with optical alignment rather than strict adherence to the baseline. Over-reliance on baseline grids can also make layouts appear static and rigid.
Still, learning to work with baseline grids is a valuable skill for any designer. Strive to develop an eye for balancing grid uniformity with moments of intentional variation.
Method 2: Using Document Grids for Modular Layouts
Document grids are two-dimensional grids that divide your entire page into a uniform matrix. Unlike free-form layouts, modular grids use consistent horizontal and vertical spacing to create an underlying structure for positioning elements.
InDesign‘s document grid is similar to the graph paper background in Adobe Illustrator. You can specify the gridline spacing, subdivisions, and appearance in your document preferences.
To set up a document grid:
- Go to Edit > Preferences > Grids (PC) or InDesign > Preferences > Grids (Mac).
- Under "Document Grid," choose a grid color.
- Enter values for:
- Horizontal/Vertical Gridline Every: distance between grid lines
- Subdivisions: number of divisions within each grid square
- Click OK. Adjust View Options to display grids.
For precision alignment, turn on "Snap to Document Grid" under View > Grids & Guides. Now, objects will cling to the nearest gridline when moved or resized.
The key to an effective document grid is choosing a grid size that correlates logically to your page dimensions and content. For example, a 6×8 grid on a standard letter size page produces squares that are 1.5 in x 1.75 in – an easy-to-use framework for modular layouts.
To determine your ideal grid, start by identifying the smallest "unit" your design needs – perhaps a single product photo, chart, or block of copy. Ensure your document grid can accommodate multiples of this unit with some flexibility for combining into larger zones. Avoid arbitrary grid sizes that limit your options.
Modular grids are ideal for highly structured layouts like catalogs, galleries, or web page templates. Newspapers and magazines also rely on modular grids for consistent ad sizing and placement.
However, working within such a rigid structure can feel stifling. It‘s easy to default to predictable "boxy" layouts that lack visual interest. Avoid this trap by using a light touch – let the grid guide your placement without becoming a strict cage. Play with contrasts in scale, texture, color and alignment to add energy within the underlying structure.
Method 3: Using Column Grids for Editorial Design
Perhaps the most iconic and popular grid type, column grids have been a staple of editorial design since the mid-20th century. In a column grid, content is divided vertically into two or more equal-width columns separated by margins or "gutters."
Column grids are tremendously versatile and can adapt to any page size or orientation. Most multi-page publications like magazines, newspapers, books, and reports are built on a simple column grid as the primary layout structure.
InDesign allows you to define the column grid in your Document Setup or New Document settings. Simply enter the number of columns and gutter spacing you want for each page or master page.
To create a column grid:
- Go to File > Document Setup.
- In the "Columns" section, enter a number for Number and Gutter spacing.
- Click OK to apply the column guides throughout the document.
Alternatively, set up your column grid when creating a new InDesign file. The "New Document" dialog box includes fields for specifying columns and gutters.
Once your column grid is established, you can use the rectangular Shape or Frame tools to draw text and image containers that snap to the column guides. Achieve more complex layouts by spanning elements across multiple columns or indenting to create smaller sub-columns within the main grid.
The beauty of column grids lies in their flexibility. Even a simple two-column grid can yield wildly different results based on how you use it. For maximum versatility, try a 12-column grid that can be easily divided into halves, thirds, quarters, or sixths.
Some common ways to structure a column grid:
- 1 column for a minimalist look with ample white space
- 2-3 columns for brochures, flyers, and presentations
- 4-6 columns for magazines, catalogs, and web pages
- 12-16 columns for extremely flexible book and newspaper design
Be sure to consider your content needs, desired flexibility, and final output size when choosing the right number of columns for your project. More columns give you more options but require restraint to avoid overwhelming the layout.
The "rule of thirds" is a classic column grid technique for adding visual interest. Try making your outer margins smaller than the gutter between columns so content slightly "floats" in the center of the page. You can also dedicate a wider column for images and a narrower one for supporting text.
Column grids also translate well to digital and web design. CSS frameworks like Bootstrap and Foundation use a 12-column fluid grid that collapses and reflows based on screen size. When designing multi-platform publications, consider how your column grid will adapt across various devices and orientations.
Like any grid system, column grids require a balance of consistency and creativity. Strive to anchor most elements to the grid to establish a sense of order and alignment. Then look for strategic opportunities to break the grid with dramatically scaled images, asymmetrical layouts, layered components, or angled alignments.
Method 4: Designing Custom Guide Grids for Unique Projects
While InDesign‘s automatic grids are sufficient for most layouts, there may be times when you need more control and customization. That‘s where guide-based grids come in.
Guides are non-printing lines that you can pull out from the page rulers and position anywhere on your document. Unlike column or document grids, guides are specific to each page or master page.
To create a guide, simply click the horizontal or vertical ruler and drag onto your page. The guide will "stick" to the zero point unless you hold down Shift to draw it at a specific location. Double-click a guide to open the "Guide Options" for precise placement.
Custom guide grids are perfect for projects with an unusual page size, atypical content structure, or expressive design concept. You have complete freedom to tailor the grid to your needs, whether that means uneven spacing, diagonal lines, concentric circles, or a classic golden ratio.
Here are a few ideas for custom guide layouts:
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Asymmetrical Column Grids: Instead of even columns, try a three-column grid with ratios of 1:2:3 (narrow, medium, wide). This structure lends itself to bold, dynamic layouts with strong focal points.
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Modular Grids with Uneven Spacing: Create a modular grid with progressively larger spacing between zones. For example, try vertical divisions of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 page for a sense of rhythmic scale.
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Diagonal or Angled Grids: Rotate a traditional grid 45 degrees for an energetic, unexpected effect. Or, design a system of angled guides radiating out from a corner or midpoint. These grids work well for edgy, unconventional content.
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Circular or Spiral Grids: Use a series of concentric circle guides as an underlying structure for organic layouts or radial designs. Incorporate curved text and images for a fresh look.
Be as creative as you want with guide-based grids – but don‘t overlook basic design principles. Make sure your custom grid has a logical foundation, clear hierarchy, and purposeful negative space. Avoid arbitrary angles or uneven spacing that confuse the eye.
You can save time by setting up custom grids on master pages that repeat throughout your document. To save a guide layout, drag your guides onto the pasteboard area, select them, and copy/paste onto other pages or documents. Use separate layers for guides versus content to avoid accidental movement.
Above all, remember that guides are just that – a helpful reference, not a rigid boundary. Feel free to break the grid when it serves the design. And don‘t leave guides in your final product; go to View > Grids & Guides > Hide Guides before exporting or printing.
Conclusion
As you can see, InDesign offers a variety of built-in tools and settings for creating grids to suit any design project. Baseline grids ensure flawless vertical rhythm in text-heavy layouts. Document grids provide an even matrix for modular placement of elements. Column grids are endlessly versatile for publications of all kinds. Custom guide grids allow you to dream up your own structural systems.
No matter which method you choose, the goal is the same: to establish a clear, intentional framework for your content that enhances communication, usability, and visual appeal. By investing time in setting up a logical, well-crafted grid, you lay the foundation for a polished, professional design.
Remember, the grid is a means to an end, not an end in itself. It‘s a tool to facilitate your design process, not a restrictive cage. Use grids to bring order and consistency to your work – but don‘t be afraid to experiment, iterate, and even break the grid when appropriate.
Truly great design strikes a balance between systematic structure and intuitive flexibility. With practice and experience, you‘ll develop an eye for using grids to create this sense of dynamic equilibrium. Analyze the grid systems in your favorite magazines, books, and websites for inspiration and insight.
Most importantly, approach grids with a spirit of curiosity and creativity. Push yourself to explore new configurations, test different options, and evolve your approach. The more you work with grids, the more refined your design instincts will become – and the more effectively you can harness their power to bring your unique vision to life.
Happy gridding!
