learn_HTML

Layout Grids
Composition in any visual art (such as design, painting, or photography)
is the placement or arrangement of visual elements — how they are
organized on a page. Many designers use a grid structure to help them
position items on a page, and the same is true for web designers.
On the right, you can see a set of
thick vertical lines superimposed
over the top of a newspaper
website to show you how the
page was designed according to
a grid. This grid is called the 960
pixel grid and is widely used by
web designers.
Grids set consistent proportions
and spaces between items which
helps to create a professional
looking design.
If you flick back through the
pages of this book you will see
that it, too, has been constructed
according to a grid (comprising
three columns).
As you will see on pages 389-
390, it is possible to create many
different layouts using this one
versatile grid.
While a grid might seem like a
restriction, in actual fact it:
●● Creates a continuity between
different pages which may
use different designs
●● Helps users predict where to
find information on various
pages
●● Makes it easier to add new
content to the site in a
consistent way
●● Helps people collaborate
on the design of a site in a
consistent way
387 LAYOUT