Best Practices for Graphic Designers, Grids and Page Layouts

192 Best Practices for Graphic Designers: Grids and Page Layouts

Amy Graver began her career as a

photojournalist for the Boston Globe.

Then, in 1999, after working as a

professional graphic designer for several

more years at two very different studios,

Amy decided to open her own agency and

created Elements (www.elementsdesign.

com), bringing together her passion

and skills in writing, photography, and

design. In one short year she gained

recognition and awards both nationally

and internationally, moved to a larger

studio, and added staff. Today, Amy

heads the firm as its creative director

and president, speaks at numerous

conferences and events, writes regularly

for her company’s popular marketing

blog, and often contributes articles to

magazines, newspapers, and online

publications on graphic design, websites,

and social media.

Along the way, Amy served as the

Connecticut Art Director’s Club (CADC)

president and sat on its board for eight

years. In 2008, she and a design

colleague started a Connecticut chapter

of the American Institute of Graphic

Artists (AIGA), serving as the chapter’s

vice president for two years. She lives and

works from her hometown of Branford,

Connecticut, with her husband and their

two young children.

Ben Jura works alongside Amy at

Elements as the studio’s senior graphic

designer, project coordinator, and

partner in the company. Ben graduated

from The School of Visual Arts with a

BFA in graphic design. He went on to

develop his diverse set of skills working

in the fields of advertising, branding,

and design in New York and Connecticut

for a prominent list of corporations.

Ben has an obsession with great

typography and enjoys incorporating

his hand-lettering and illustration

skills into many of his designs. His

other many interests include rare books,

skateboarding, hiking, playing classical

piano, and vintage motorsport.

Ben and his beautiful fiancé Kelly (who

is also a graphic designer) live in an old

Connecticut house that they are lovingly

restoring—one weekend at a time.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

© 2012 by Rockport Publishers

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright

owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned,

and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise,

arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with

information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing

information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

First published in the United States of America by Rockport Publishers, a member of Quayside Publishing Group

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Beverly, Massachusetts 01915-6101

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Graver, Amy.

Best practices for graphic designers, grids and page layouts : an essential guide for understanding and applying page

design principles / Amy Graver and Ben Jura.

pages cm

Summary: “ This unique, go-to guide for designers fully details the essential layout and design skills needed to succeed

in this competitive industry. With fun and practical application, it offers valuable insight into strategy and business

when working in the real world with real clients, starting with basic information on layout principles before delving

more deeply into theory and application on a project-by-project basis. Illustrated with real-world assignments and case

studies, this guide offers a behind-the-scenes take on the entire process and steps necessary to go from concept to final

outcome, including how to overcome challenges presented along the way”-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-59253-785-3 (pbk.) -- ISBN 1-59253-785-5 ()

1. Graphic art--Technique. I. Jura, Ben. II. Title.

NC1000.G73 2012

741.6--dc23

2012002397

ISBN: 978-1-59253-785-3

Digital edition published in 2012

eISBN-13: 978-1-61058-412-8

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Design: Ben Jura and Amy Graver, Elements, LLC

Cover Image: Ben Jura and Amy Graver, Elements, LLC

Printed in China