They say, "Practice what you preach." Yes, yes... I made use of The Grid System to 'layout' these pages and visibly demonstrate the flexibility of the grid system, a very valuable, if not rigourous method used in all sorts of design projects -- advertising, architecture, exhibition design, graphic design, urban planning and so on. Surprise, surprise... even Mohenjo-daro was based on a grid of streets and lanes!

In graphic design, linear or non-linear grids are useful for arranging sets of elements, objects or blocks of information into cohesive visual groups. Grids can help to determine optimal placement of information on a layout. One has to know how to use it well and when to "break the grid," especially within a contiguous set of pages. As you can see in the background of the image above, a very simple grid of square boxes grow proportionally from a few millimetres each, to a metre or more.

To learn more about the grid, visit Antonio Carusone's site, then scoot over to The Grid System at www.thegridsystem.org

And like Oprah says, "Read this book!"

From a professional for professionals, here is the definitive word on using grid systems in graphic design. Though Muller-Brockman first presented as it as interpretation of grid in 1961, this text is still useful today for anyone working in the latest computer-assisted design. With examples on how to work correctly at a conceptual level and exact instructions for using all of the systems (8 to 32 fields), this guidebook provides a crystal-clear framework for problem-solving. Dimension: 81/2 x 113/4 inches, English & German Text, 357 black+white examples and illustrations.

You can buy this book on Amazon.

Thanks, Rob, for showing this to me aeons ago. It has been a quite a journey from there to here. I guess that makes me a designosaur.

'Segun Olude was born and raised in the metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria.

He and his family moved to Canada for 'Segun to attend school at the University of Manitoba. Since then, both he and his wife visit Nigeria every year to help rural communities with their community development goals.

'Segun is currently the Principal and Design Director at Indigo Ink Studios, a dynamic Canadian design studio. With over 18 years of graphic design experience as Layout Artist, Graphic Designer, Editorial Illustrator, Art Editor, Art Director, Design Consultant and Design Educator, his personal portfolio includes the design of various corporate identities, collateral materials, postage stamps, campaign materials for local and international non-profit agencies, magazine identities, editorial design, local and international event branding, package design, graphical user interface design, web design, signage system development, advertising design and more.

While at Circle, one of Canada's better-known design firms, 'Segun had the privilege of working on sets of award-winning postage stamps and philatelic products for Canada Post Corporation. Today, 'Segun serves as a Sessional Instructor at the University of Manitoba's Fort Garry Campus, teaching courses in Graphic Design Studio and History of Visual Communication.

'Segun Olude is a professional member of the Manitoba Chapter of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), and serves on the boards of professional, community, non-profit and faith-based organisations. He is also a Member of the Board of Directors of Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Canada, and organisation dedicated to developing capacity and matching Nigerian professionals with community organisations to revitalise Nigeria.