Using the Grid-Based Approach in Web Design

[mandy]

The main idea behind grid-based designs is a solid visual and structural balance of web-sites you can create with them. Sophisticated layout structures offer more flexibility and enhance the visual experience of visitors. In fact, users can easier follow the consistency of the page, while developers can update the layout in a well thought-out, consistent way...

A balanced and consistently implemented design scheme will increase readers’ confidence in your site. […] Your first step is to establish a basic layout grid. With this graphic “backbone” you can determine how the major blocks of type and illustrations will regularly occur in your pages. [..] To start, gather representative examples of your text, along with some graphics, scans, or other illustrative material, and experiment with various arrangements of the elements on the page. […] Your goal is to establish a consistent, logical screen layout, one that allows you to “plug in” text and graphics without having to stop and rethink your basic design approach on each new page.”

full article and list of tutprials/resources for learning grid based web design: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/04/...-approach/

[BellisimaJ.]

Ty, Mandy----great article!