Study Task 03 - Design Principles - Grids

For this task we had to pick a page from a Newspaper and analyse the grid system used in the layout and design of the page. We then had to consider why these design decisions had been made in relation to the function and purpose of the newspaper to the reader. The page I was analysing was from the Independent Newspaper. When analysing the grid system I discovered that it could be divided into 12 vertical columns.

The Independent Newspaper was redesigned by Matt Willey in 2013, with the incentive to “revive the spirit of its founders” and emphasise the paper’s “international perspective” and “Enlightenment values.”

One of the Independent's main aims is to remain unbiased and informed focussing on the whole picture rather than propaganda and this is exactly what Matt Willey's design encompasses. Some of Willey's design aims were to 'have fewer but better images; no text over images; no doglegging of stories around adverts and a stripped-back colour palette mainly based on black, grey and red.'

Matt's design insisted on the sections of information always beginning on a right had page to 'give consistency, and subs were asked to stick to a rigid grid to keep the right amount of white space.' This not only creates a bespoke layout for the newspaper, but creates ease when reading allowing the viewer to make an informed decision and analyse what they are reading in a calm and uncluttered environement.