Designing Grid Systems for the Web by Mark Boulton

Grid systems have been used in print design, architecture and interior design for generations. Now, what do we do on the web? The same rules of grid system composition and usage no longer apply. Content is viewed in many ways; from RSS feeds, to email. Content is viewed on many devices; from mobile phones to laptops. Users can manipulate the browser, they can remove content, resize the canvas, resize the typefaces. A designer is no longer in control. This workshop will take you through the theory to the practical application of how to design Grid Systems. From the fundamentals of composition and the basics of simple grid creation, through to the intricacies of mapping out complex grids.
Designing Grid Systems should be a starting point for any designer when looking at arranging information to be scanned, viewed, read, and consumed. This workshop will give you the theory, skills and tools to be able to do that confidently.

Who is this workshop for
UX designers
Web designers
Developers
Editorial Assistants
Web Managers
Anyone who is asked to 'do design' but isn't a designer

What you will learn in this workshop
Compositional theory
Macro typographic design theory
How to design simple hierarchical, columnar, modular and compound grids
How to design complex rational and irrational ratio-based grids
How to use a 'new Canon' to design your grids
Effective layout design for multiple devices
An understanding of how layout structures can aid usability

Who is Mark?
Mark Boulton runs his own studio, Mark Boulton Design and is the co-founder of Five Simple Steps. Mark started designing web sites when he was the ‘young guy’ in the studio back in 1997 and he’s been banging on about applying the fundamentals of good graphic design on the web ever since. He is the author of the bestselling ‘A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web’ and is currently working on writing more books. His next book, ‘A Practical Guide to Designing Grid Systems for the Web’ will be available early in 2011 and workshop attendees will get a free copy when it comes out.