What is Layout?

Document/Page Design

The placement of graphic elements (images, illustrations, drawings, and text) in a presentation of pages. It most often refers to document design.

Documents usually have multiple pages.

InDesign is a Desktop Publishing Tool.

Print Issues

• Print publication (book/magazine/newspaper/ newsletter)formats are based on standard flat sheet paper size, folded, bound, or saddle-stitched.

• Examples:• 11 x 17 sheet double-fold (either 4 or 8 page newsletter)• 8 ½ x 11 magazine in signatures (groups of 8 pages)

• Decisions made about format affect cost • Printers create in signatures of 8 pages or a codex of

16. So you must work in multiples of 4!

Consistency

A pattern is established for the:

• Copy: headings/body text/captions/page numbers/pull-outs/decks, etc. (including font, size, and style)

• Color scheme: for rules, boxes, perhaps headlines, sidebars

• Arrangement: positioning/location (and size) of images, blocks of text, and negative space on the page

Consistency provides visual cues which help the reader to 1) recognize the publication style and 2) follow the flow of information. 

Grids are standard practice in publishing. Guidelines can be set up in InDesign to indicate your grid pattern.Vertical lines indicate columns of text.Two, three and four column grids are typically used.Items (including photos/art/heads) may span one or more columns, but will fill the full width of the columns (not go halfway).Anchors are the guidelines that indicate horizontal lines in a grid from which elements “hang” or rest.

Grids, Guidelines, and AnchorsA grid allows consistency without boring the reader.

Readability• The human eye is most comfortable taking in 35 to 45

characters in a single line of type. This often rules out using a one-column grid.

• Don’t put blocks of text (body copy) over images with lots of contrast. Avoid “reverse” type.

• Remember colors are made up of screen combinations. Colors other than CYMK for text are “pixelated” and harder to read.

• Avoid use of TOO many fonts (style clutter).• Serif fonts are easier to read than sans serif.• Roman (normal) is easier to read than italic or bold.• Upper and lower case is easier to read than all caps. Reserve

all caps for SHORT headings.• Save specialty fonts for special instances/artistic expression.• Eye path and economy of images/styles enhances readability.• Is your design too much--try squinting and see. Use negative

space strategically!

Magazine “Vocabulary”

standing head

headline

subhead

offset lead-in

sidebar

Pull-quote

caption

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Magazine “Vocabulary”

headline

deck

Pull-quote

Initial Cap

Body copy

]Gutter[

] [ alley

Magazine “Vocabulary”

headline

Deck 1

Pull-quote (in reverse type)

Initial Cap

Body copyPhoto Credit

Byline

Deck 2

Photo Bleed

Bleeds, etc.• It is important to keep in mind that what may be

an easy trial and error process for printing at home becomes a costly transaction once it moves outside of your control to other working professionals.

• For this reasons, further study should include not only mastery of the specific program you have chosen to work with but also more detailed information concerning prepress preparation and printing technologies.

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SIDEBAR

SIDEBAR

Points and PicasPages are measured in picas (column width).Fonts are measured in points.

12 points = 1 pica 6 picas = 1 inch

Type TraitsKerning: space between charactersLeading: space between lines of typeTracking: space between words+characters (how a line of text is spaced out at the PARAGRAPH level)Em: one character space based on the font’s letter “M” (for instance, hyphens are 1/2-em widths [also called “ens”]; dashes are whole ems (2 hyphens)…or an editor may specify using a 2-en [ie. 1-em dash])

People prefer organized visual

information• When all text in an article has a

consistent look, including column width, it enhances readability.

• Readers expect oft-repeated info (such as page #s, sidebars, informational text, captions) in the same location on each page.

Even Corporate Marketers Have Grid Standards

• As does any advanced institution such as UM…

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• Grids can unify a series of documents with varied content

The Grid

• Grids speed layout by taking guesswork out of design consistency

• A consistent grid makes it easier for the designer to provide the continuity readers expect.

• However, a good grid system also allows you to introduce variations without forsaking readability or consistency.

Flexibility• A grid unit can be incremental--display text and photos

aren’t bounded by a single column width,for example, but may extend across 2 or 3. The continuity is achieved with an “invisible” line of alignment with text.

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