[week 8] Response+Discussion: Williamson
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Prof. Madad
Oct 20, 2009, 1:19:31 PM10/20/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
Post your responses to:
The Grid: History, Use and Meaning by Jack Williamson
The Grid: History, Use and Meaning by Jack Williamson
Emily Vukson
Oct 22, 2009, 11:38:21 PM10/22/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
Response to The Grid: History, Use, and Meaning by Jack H. Williamson
It is somewhat amazing to see the different applications that the grid
has had over these many years, ranging from being a rigid structure in
medieval manuscripts, to the rather uniform grids used for drawings
during the Renaissance, to the loose grids of the De Stijl, to the
pure design quality that it can be used for today.
First and foremost, the gird is used to divide up an area, say a page,
into manageable sections which are much easier to work with when
laying out blocks of text or illustrations, as was such in medieval
manuscripts. And this system is still used today in all kinds of
print and non-print applications. Books use a grid system, magazines
use a grid system, and even websites use a grid system. While some
books, magazines, etc. do choose to break this "rule" sometimes for
one reason or another, it is the usual to use a modular grid because
it helps to keep things neatly organized. It is much harder to look
at a page where the text has no rhyme or reason in comparison to a
page that has been laid out in neat blocks. A grid can function like
Ward's Crystal Goblet: you shouldn't have to notice it, but it helps
to keep things organized and thus easier to convey the information
that the text is trying to convey in the first place. While it can be
fun to break the grid system, it really is an important part of
typographic design.
While during Medieval times and even the Renaissance the grid was
somewhat meant to be "invisible," designers nowadays do use the grid
as a design element sometimes. By changing the perspective of the
grid lines, it can help give a page a three dimensional or spacial
depth on an otherwise two dimensional plain. It gives it a more
"scientific" or "computer" feel because it implies mathematics as
opposed to potential chaos and whim.
It is somewhat amazing to see the different applications that the grid
has had over these many years, ranging from being a rigid structure in
medieval manuscripts, to the rather uniform grids used for drawings
during the Renaissance, to the loose grids of the De Stijl, to the
pure design quality that it can be used for today.
First and foremost, the gird is used to divide up an area, say a page,
into manageable sections which are much easier to work with when
laying out blocks of text or illustrations, as was such in medieval
manuscripts. And this system is still used today in all kinds of
print and non-print applications. Books use a grid system, magazines
use a grid system, and even websites use a grid system. While some
books, magazines, etc. do choose to break this "rule" sometimes for
one reason or another, it is the usual to use a modular grid because
it helps to keep things neatly organized. It is much harder to look
at a page where the text has no rhyme or reason in comparison to a
page that has been laid out in neat blocks. A grid can function like
Ward's Crystal Goblet: you shouldn't have to notice it, but it helps
to keep things organized and thus easier to convey the information
that the text is trying to convey in the first place. While it can be
fun to break the grid system, it really is an important part of
typographic design.
While during Medieval times and even the Renaissance the grid was
somewhat meant to be "invisible," designers nowadays do use the grid
as a design element sometimes. By changing the perspective of the
grid lines, it can help give a page a three dimensional or spacial
depth on an otherwise two dimensional plain. It gives it a more
"scientific" or "computer" feel because it implies mathematics as
opposed to potential chaos and whim.
May Meyers
Oct 24, 2009, 11:36:10 AM10/24/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
Reading Response to “The Grid: History, Use, and Meaning” By Jack H.
Williamson
I found this article really informative; while I had a basic knowledge
of the grid’s use in design, I hadn’t really understood its historical
and symbolic significance. Differentiating between the four basic
subforms of the grid clarified its various applications throughout
history from the point-based use in medieval Christian literature to
postmodern field-based grid use.
Even in applications where the grid is somewhat visually present, it
has often been overlooked, at least symbolically. I was amazed by how
meticulously thought out and well executed the grid was in Tres Belles
Heures de Notre Dame, going far beyond compositional function to
become a significant element of the story being told. I was equally
intrigued by the use of the modern grid by Mondrian. I had never
really understood the appeal of his work prior to realizing that it
reflected such a critical period in the evolution of the grid. The
same can be said for Rietveld’s chair. While I still wouldn’t choose
to hang a Mondrian print on my wall, I have a newfound respect for and
a deeper appreciation of these artists now. Lately I have been really
interested in William Blake, and found structural (and possibly
symbolic) use of the traditional grid in much of his work,
particularly Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.
Examples of cultural and sociopolitical influence on the grid and its
use in art over time, demonstrated how often design can visually and
symbolically capture the time of its creation. Especially interesting
to me, were the impact of the atomic bomb on Ishiro Honda’s films and
the use of an exploded surface plane in television advertising.
Williamson illustrates the latter with the Shell Oil and Schlitz Malt
Liquor ads that set the stage for numerous followers (remember the
Kool-Aid guy?).
While the basic structure of the grid has been subject to slight
modifications through its history, its major changes have not been
aesthetic, but symbolic. The meaning of the grid continues to evolve,
reflecting cultural changes and attitudes.
Williamson
I found this article really informative; while I had a basic knowledge
of the grid’s use in design, I hadn’t really understood its historical
and symbolic significance. Differentiating between the four basic
subforms of the grid clarified its various applications throughout
history from the point-based use in medieval Christian literature to
postmodern field-based grid use.
Even in applications where the grid is somewhat visually present, it
has often been overlooked, at least symbolically. I was amazed by how
meticulously thought out and well executed the grid was in Tres Belles
Heures de Notre Dame, going far beyond compositional function to
become a significant element of the story being told. I was equally
intrigued by the use of the modern grid by Mondrian. I had never
really understood the appeal of his work prior to realizing that it
reflected such a critical period in the evolution of the grid. The
same can be said for Rietveld’s chair. While I still wouldn’t choose
to hang a Mondrian print on my wall, I have a newfound respect for and
a deeper appreciation of these artists now. Lately I have been really
interested in William Blake, and found structural (and possibly
symbolic) use of the traditional grid in much of his work,
particularly Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.
Examples of cultural and sociopolitical influence on the grid and its
use in art over time, demonstrated how often design can visually and
symbolically capture the time of its creation. Especially interesting
to me, were the impact of the atomic bomb on Ishiro Honda’s films and
the use of an exploded surface plane in television advertising.
Williamson illustrates the latter with the Shell Oil and Schlitz Malt
Liquor ads that set the stage for numerous followers (remember the
Kool-Aid guy?).
While the basic structure of the grid has been subject to slight
modifications through its history, its major changes have not been
aesthetic, but symbolic. The meaning of the grid continues to evolve,
reflecting cultural changes and attitudes.
jess
Oct 24, 2009, 11:02:38 PM10/24/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
Like May, I had basic knowledge of the grid structure and I found it
very interesting to understand the history of the grid. Williamson
writes about grids from as early as illuminated manuscripts to the
very popular artist, Mondrain. The use of horizontal and vertical axes
are extremely important to the consistent flow and readability of
paragraph and a painting. Personally, I never thought about a grid
structure in paintings or drawings. To learn about some of the most
influential painters (ie. David) using a basic grid is exciting. It
does make sense because the grid system has created an even and solid
foundation for not only designers but is a necessity for architecture
and maps.
As a graphic designer, the grid system creates an easy understanding
to some complex problems. The grid gives an understanding and a
solution that is straight forward for all.
very interesting to understand the history of the grid. Williamson
writes about grids from as early as illuminated manuscripts to the
very popular artist, Mondrain. The use of horizontal and vertical axes
are extremely important to the consistent flow and readability of
paragraph and a painting. Personally, I never thought about a grid
structure in paintings or drawings. To learn about some of the most
influential painters (ie. David) using a basic grid is exciting. It
does make sense because the grid system has created an even and solid
foundation for not only designers but is a necessity for architecture
and maps.
As a graphic designer, the grid system creates an easy understanding
to some complex problems. The grid gives an understanding and a
solution that is straight forward for all.
Daisy Chong
Oct 25, 2009, 11:18:00 AM10/25/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
My eyes first diverted to the chart on the left on the starting page
in starting this article. Actually, during my first Typeface course,
we were required to copy typefaces via hand, and we were required to
use a 3x3 grid. Others may have scorned our class for not starting
with InDesign and formatting, but I thought it was a solid funamental
ability to have, and the way this class was set up, was good to know.
However, this article told more than just one letter, it told us of
how our eyes move around the page via illustrations and how type was
set on the page. "Conversely, if we follow the peak of the hill to the
right, the right grid-line leads the eye back up from the rock to the
cross and symbolizes the death and ressurection of Christ...". This is
later explained by the term 'field-based grid' they tell us later.
This article shares many ways the 'grid' was used in history, ranging
from medieval times to postmodern pictures today, it's interesting to
see the history of how the grids came to be, and how they changed over
the many years.
in starting this article. Actually, during my first Typeface course,
we were required to copy typefaces via hand, and we were required to
use a 3x3 grid. Others may have scorned our class for not starting
with InDesign and formatting, but I thought it was a solid funamental
ability to have, and the way this class was set up, was good to know.
However, this article told more than just one letter, it told us of
how our eyes move around the page via illustrations and how type was
set on the page. "Conversely, if we follow the peak of the hill to the
right, the right grid-line leads the eye back up from the rock to the
cross and symbolizes the death and ressurection of Christ...". This is
later explained by the term 'field-based grid' they tell us later.
This article shares many ways the 'grid' was used in history, ranging
from medieval times to postmodern pictures today, it's interesting to
see the history of how the grids came to be, and how they changed over
the many years.
Emily Vukson
Oct 25, 2009, 12:59:42 PM10/25/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
I don't know--I personally wouldn't mind having a Mondrian painting on
my wall! (That aside) I found that the whole concept of Rietveld's
chair to be very interesting as well. When you think of a grid, you
usually think of designing on a flat plane, say, for print ads or
computerized images. It is pretty cool to see a piece that is three
dimensional which has been produced off the concept of a grid. With
the straight lines and regularity of the parts of the chair, it most
certainly does give off the essence of a grid, but in three
dimensions. Rietveld kept the idea and structure of the grid in his
chair when it is viewed from every angle. Although it seems like a
small feat, I'm sure it took a lot of time to design it just right.
my wall! (That aside) I found that the whole concept of Rietveld's
chair to be very interesting as well. When you think of a grid, you
usually think of designing on a flat plane, say, for print ads or
computerized images. It is pretty cool to see a piece that is three
dimensional which has been produced off the concept of a grid. With
the straight lines and regularity of the parts of the chair, it most
certainly does give off the essence of a grid, but in three
dimensions. Rietveld kept the idea and structure of the grid in his
chair when it is viewed from every angle. Although it seems like a
small feat, I'm sure it took a lot of time to design it just right.
Patamavadee Nguiakaramahawongse
Oct 25, 2009, 9:53:45 PM10/25/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
It is interesting to know that the grid was used ever since the
medieval time. I was surprised that it was used to symbolize religious
significance, it is something beyond what I thought grids could
function as. Another is with the use of identifying latitude and
longitude of the earth. In other words, grids are used everywhere our
eyes travel, but we just overlook them. The grid was also used in
paintings. For example, Williamson mentioned Leon Battista Alberti
used it to show the 3-dimensional effect of looking through a window
and also in the case Mondrian's famous grid-like painting series,
which I love. In our days grids are used in magazines, web-pages,
newspapers, books, and so on to assist our readability. Williamson
said that grid is now used invisibly, it is used for legibility. In
some cases however, grid is also used 'rebelliously' to create as
Williamson said, 'antirationality and randomness.' Even so, exploring
and using grid differently than the 'conventional' ways are
interesting, but readability and clarity should no be overlooked.
medieval time. I was surprised that it was used to symbolize religious
significance, it is something beyond what I thought grids could
function as. Another is with the use of identifying latitude and
longitude of the earth. In other words, grids are used everywhere our
eyes travel, but we just overlook them. The grid was also used in
paintings. For example, Williamson mentioned Leon Battista Alberti
used it to show the 3-dimensional effect of looking through a window
and also in the case Mondrian's famous grid-like painting series,
which I love. In our days grids are used in magazines, web-pages,
newspapers, books, and so on to assist our readability. Williamson
said that grid is now used invisibly, it is used for legibility. In
some cases however, grid is also used 'rebelliously' to create as
Williamson said, 'antirationality and randomness.' Even so, exploring
and using grid differently than the 'conventional' ways are
interesting, but readability and clarity should no be overlooked.
Patamavadee Nguiakaramahawongse
Oct 25, 2009, 9:58:23 PM10/25/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
Yes, I have to agree with Emily. I certainly wouldn't mind on of
Mondrian's paintings on my wall. I love the simplicity and
playfulness. Also, when speaking of grid, the first thing that comes
to my mind is the grid used to place text in InDesign, things to do
with arranging text in a readable way. Seeing Rietveld's 3D grid chair
is very intriguing. The piece definitely looks well thought out.
Mondrian's paintings on my wall. I love the simplicity and
playfulness. Also, when speaking of grid, the first thing that comes
to my mind is the grid used to place text in InDesign, things to do
with arranging text in a readable way. Seeing Rietveld's 3D grid chair
is very intriguing. The piece definitely looks well thought out.
Olivia Gulin
Oct 26, 2009, 12:54:45 AM10/26/09
to madad...@googlegroups.com
In reading Williamson's history of the grid, I wonder what the future (or even present) of graphic design holds for us. The piece cuts across the history of graphic design, following the varied uses of a graphic grid system and placing it within the larger context of philosophy and cultural values.
The first grid described is one in use in Medieval manuscripts, where the intersecting points between axes is the point of interest. It is at the cross-sections of the grid that important symbols and blocks of type are set. The second model presented is one popular in the Renaissance, influenced by Cartes. During this time, society was increasingly secular. Great value was placed in human reasoning and logic. With the advent of mathematics, technical perspective, and accurate cartography, grid systems were used to dictate everything from drawing models to drafting maps. The author cites David's Death of Socrates as a painting in which the grid represents the value of natural law and logical behavior.
Through to Mondrian's paintings, the grid module is concieved of as a complex of fields built around lines. However, emphasis was brought away from points and objects and to fields instead. This reflects a widespread interest in popular thought where larger relationships were being explored--such as people's relationship with their environments, or notions of socialism. Modern Swiss grids continued the concept of using it as an underlying place of logical structure. However, these brought with them an increasing sense of homogeneity and interest in flat space. Everything from their use of lowercase letters to deft placement of white space seems to use the entire page as important fields. In this way, there are no specific points as in the Medieval model.
The use of the grid came to be blatantly broken, revealed, and turned around in its postmodern incarnation. This approach traces back to Futurism, Freud, and Dadaism's underlying ideas of the world as an inherently irrational place veiled by a facade of logic. This is expressed in popular design where surfaces are turned, questioned, and ultimately destroyed to reveal the subrational truth. In this way, postmodern grid exists as the opposite of medieval concepts where the design was a threshold to truth.
Now that all of the imposing structures of extreme modern rationalism have been thrown off, what is left to be done? The Internets tell me that Williamson was writing in 1989. Certainly, ten years later, we might be "growing up" past blatant destruction of the grid and surface. And probably the postmodern tendency towards irony is getting tiring. The author suggests that postmodernism is really late modernism in that it "reveals rather than surpasses they key limitations of modernism's conceptions of the human being." What is the answer to this, then? It seems that we are in the middle of figuring that out. If what Wikipedia tells me about the post-postmodern values of sincerity and faith is true, what implications does that have for the use of the grid...?
Sarah Nock
Oct 26, 2009, 1:14:40 AM10/26/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
The Grid: History, Use, and Meaning by Jack H. Williamson
I love working with grids and layouts. I like how clean it makes
design feel; I definitely like to use layout as a design element when
I can. People who work on a grid that's unobtrusive tend to just be
delivering information clearly. When you work the grid system and show
it in your layout design you start to bridge the gap between just
plain delivering information and making things aesthetically
pleasing. Even when you are only following a grid loosely your design
will make more visual sense because it has been broken down into
manageable pieces and, hopefully, balanced. I think that people
naturally have a sense of what looks balanced and maybe basic grids,
but more complex structures need to be explored and learned. If grid's
are sort of… inherent I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that they
were used as far back as medieval times. I think I just never
considered it because I didn't think that they thought that much about
design…but then I learned that it referenced religious hierarchy.
Bleh.
I have two kinda neat books on grids/layouts
1)Grid Systems by Kimberly Elam- super dry but it's useful if you can
sift through it
2) Layout Workbook by Kristin Cullen- Check it out- it's full of neat
ideas!
> true<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-postmodernism>,
I love working with grids and layouts. I like how clean it makes
design feel; I definitely like to use layout as a design element when
I can. People who work on a grid that's unobtrusive tend to just be
delivering information clearly. When you work the grid system and show
it in your layout design you start to bridge the gap between just
plain delivering information and making things aesthetically
pleasing. Even when you are only following a grid loosely your design
will make more visual sense because it has been broken down into
manageable pieces and, hopefully, balanced. I think that people
naturally have a sense of what looks balanced and maybe basic grids,
but more complex structures need to be explored and learned. If grid's
are sort of… inherent I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that they
were used as far back as medieval times. I think I just never
considered it because I didn't think that they thought that much about
design…but then I learned that it referenced religious hierarchy.
Bleh.
I have two kinda neat books on grids/layouts
1)Grid Systems by Kimberly Elam- super dry but it's useful if you can
sift through it
2) Layout Workbook by Kristin Cullen- Check it out- it's full of neat
ideas!
Rose DeMaria
Oct 29, 2009, 10:43:54 PM10/29/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
This reading was interesting since as embarrassing as it is I feel I
don't or didn't have a strong knowledge about the grid. I was never
formally taught about the grid in type class and never formally
instructed to use it. I've been unsure at times of exactly what a grid
is and how to you it. This article has intrigued me to want to know
more, and learn to use the grid with strong purpose and understanding.
I did not know that the grid has been used for so long either. It is
pretty amazing too how it has evolved since. The fact that it was once
used for religious symbolism is most interesting about the history
because I never would have guessed. I've always thought it had be
purely aesthetic and it has not.
don't or didn't have a strong knowledge about the grid. I was never
formally taught about the grid in type class and never formally
instructed to use it. I've been unsure at times of exactly what a grid
is and how to you it. This article has intrigued me to want to know
more, and learn to use the grid with strong purpose and understanding.
I did not know that the grid has been used for so long either. It is
pretty amazing too how it has evolved since. The fact that it was once
used for religious symbolism is most interesting about the history
because I never would have guessed. I've always thought it had be
purely aesthetic and it has not.
Danielle Heard
Nov 30, 2009, 4:01:13 PM11/30/09
to Prof. Madad / Type Design III
I find it interesting that so much can be created with the use of
grids. They are like an organized matter to help us as designers to
come up with interesting composition. In the terms of typography
thought that grids were a way to help you when designing type and play
with different compositions to help lead you viewers eye around the
page to interpret your given message. This article s quite
interesting because it oes into depth of the history of grids and its
different uses during different periods of time, such as :Renaissance,
Modern, and Post-Modern. It begins with introducing the different
types of grids; coordinate based, intersetion based (both part of the
point-based form) , module based, line-based (both apart of the field-
based forms). The Late Medival Grid were used to help lead the viewer
to the important key points on the page. Using the grid "to emphasize
the expansive potential of the repeated module or individual. As to
grids during the renaissance focused on enlightenment, scientific
revolution and the emphasis on appearance and structure. In modern
times things changed to where everything was about structure and the
principle of continuousness which inspired the Modrian Era which is
still studied today. Then we are revealed to the post- modern gid,
where grids could be visually seen/ exposed in different compositions
of works.
grids. They are like an organized matter to help us as designers to
come up with interesting composition. In the terms of typography
thought that grids were a way to help you when designing type and play
with different compositions to help lead you viewers eye around the
page to interpret your given message. This article s quite
interesting because it oes into depth of the history of grids and its
different uses during different periods of time, such as :Renaissance,
Modern, and Post-Modern. It begins with introducing the different
types of grids; coordinate based, intersetion based (both part of the
point-based form) , module based, line-based (both apart of the field-
based forms). The Late Medival Grid were used to help lead the viewer
to the important key points on the page. Using the grid "to emphasize
the expansive potential of the repeated module or individual. As to
grids during the renaissance focused on enlightenment, scientific
revolution and the emphasis on appearance and structure. In modern
times things changed to where everything was about structure and the
principle of continuousness which inspired the Modrian Era which is
still studied today. Then we are revealed to the post- modern gid,
where grids could be visually seen/ exposed in different compositions
of works.
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