What are canons ?
Canons are systems, methods or approaches to a particular practice. In a design way, it's how to organise type and image on the page. They can be useful when you design publication layouts and also encourage complacency.
↠ De Divina Proportione by Pacioli (Italian Renaissance)
This based on the Golden Ratio which is a mathematical harmonious proportion and used in arts and mathematics. It's considered as being able to deliver aesthetically "pleasing" and harmonious composition.
The principle :
a to b = 1:1,618
a+b to a = 1:1,618
How to practice :
100cm ÷ 1,618 = 61,80cm
100cm = 61,80 + 38,20
ratio of 61,8 to 38,2 is 1:1,618
You can also add by 1,1618 (100cm x 1,618 = 161,8cm)
Examples :
To divise a page :
To type :
To logos :
Practice session
Then in groups, we talked about positive and negative points about grid layouts :
- On the one hand, grids can be a good structure for designing and organise a page, they brings an aesthetic treatment of it.
- On the other hand, we need sometimes to stay away and have a critical sight on grids to avoid creative standardization.
↠ Van de Graaf canon
He was a 19th century Dutch scholar of book design.
Practice
As a conclusion for this first part, canons aren't simply grid layouts but methods and systems that inform our process in design.
The Vignelli canon (homework)
This looks like the Pacioli spiral but it's more "geometric".
Here's the Vignelli's grid system :
He divides the page in rectangles to build his grid.
Then he could place type and image :
What is his thought about grids, it's amazing to see how can it be useful for designing :
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