Symetrical-three-column grid

  • Three-columns of text can speed up reading, but be careful when sizing the text. Avoid rivers, big gaps between words, usually when text is justified.
  • Smaller column for captions or sidebars, and, or a smaller column for white space, which gives breathing room to the reader.
  • The grid is divided both horizontally and vertically. This allows symetry throughout the layout.
  • Part of the layout should account for a header, a footer, and a page number if required.

  1. Dead Area, a margin around the layout in which no live copy should appear. Protects against printer errors and the loss of important information. You can bleed art work into this area, as long as it is extraneous imagery.
  2. Live Area, the portion of the layout which contains all important information. Gives the reader a border for visual relief.
  3. By breaking the layout into three-equal columns you have the opportunity to use a combination of design configurations.


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