DGC Armature and Grid notes

Typographers use two things to design

• a typographic element
• the space within and surrounding it

Armatures, grids and grid systems are devised to assist hierarchy to help structure both elements in space

Armatures

• Underlying structure

• bind elements through deliberate but fairly random placement ruled by “intuitively” divided space
• principles of alignment, visual proportion, balance, harmony
• compositionally satisfying drawing

Grids

• Underlying structure
• structural in addition to visual rules governing placement
• rigid vessels

Grid Systems

• similar principles to grid except within a calculated program
• mechanical plan for placement
• spans pages
• organizational map
• White space
• modules build structure