Introducing The Grid System

Posted on Posted in Design, Grid Systems, International Typographic Style, TypographyTagged , , , , , , , , 31 Comments

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So as many of you already know, I’m freakin’ obsessed with grids. A lot of designers either don’t want to be bothered with grids or just don’t understand them, so I wanted to spread the love a little.

So I created The Grid System.

It’s basically an ever-growing resource site on the topic of grid systems and anything associated to it, like the golden ratio and baseline grids. My goal for the site is to be a one stop shop for all designers to learn about grid systems, how to design them and how to use them.

The site features links to articles, tools, books as well as templates and other goodies. I’ve also added the ability to show the grid that the site was built on, this way visitors can learn about the structure and how it was applied to the design. Let me tell you, it was a pain to get everything to sit on the grid and baselines and to stay consistent across multiple browsers. As of now, the site lines up perfectly with the grid in Safari and Firefox on a Mac. I assume it would be the same on the PC but I haven’t had the time or a computer to test it. I do plan on making it work in all major browsers on both platforms, even the dreadful IE.

I’ve also partnered up with YouWorkForThem to bring a great collection of books to the site. Over time the site will grow in content (I have a backlog of articles and tools to post) as well as features. I plan to add a forum where people can chat about grid systems and design in general, and other small things like wallpapers. Additionally, I’ve created a Flickr group as an extension of the site.

Check it out and let me know what you hate and what you love. I’d love to know what you think.

Enotmik Holiday Sale

Posted on Posted in Design, Life, Merch, TypographyTagged , , , , , , , 1 Comment

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Well folks, in terms of holidays, my favorite time of year has arrived and to celebrate I’m offering the Enotmik typeface 50% off until December 31st, 2008. That’s right, only $10 for this sexy face. You can use it to design your fancy holiday cards!

All you have to do is enter in the discount code at checkout and you’ll receive the 50% discount! The code is GRIDS. Good one huh? Enjoy!

I’m going to take a little break this week, but I will be back first thing Monday morning to satisfy your design obsession. I want to wish all the US readers a wonderful Thanksgiving! Have a great week everyone.        

Doane Paper Utility Notebook Giveaway

Posted on Posted in Design, Events, Grid Systems, MerchTagged , , , , , , 156 Comments

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I’m proud to announce the very first AisleOne giveaway! This site has generated a great following and it’s time for me to give back to you guys so in partnership with Doane Papers we’re giving away 3 packs of 3 Utility Notebooks!

What is Doane Papers and what are Utility Notebooks?
Doane Papers is a company by Chad Doane that makes pads and notebooks featuring his patent pending Grid+Lines stationery design that combines the benefits of grid and ruled lines onto a single sheet of paper. The Utility Notebook makes use of Grid+Lines pattern in a small and portable notebook.

How do I win?
There are 3 easy ways to win:

  • 1. Leave a comment on this post. (Make sure to supply a valid email address when submitting a comment.)
  • 2. Subscribe to the RSS feed (Click the link or you can subscribe below.)
  • 3. Subscribe to daily email updates below.

Do all three and increase your chances of winning.

***On Sunday December 7th I will randomly select 3 winners and will announce them on Monday December 8th.***

I want to thank Chad for supplying the notebooks and good luck to everyone. Please make sure to use a valid email address when adding a comment or subscribing that way I can contact you if you win.

Utility Notebook Features
Constructed by Portland’s Pinball Publishing
Notebook Size – 3.5” x 5.5”
Grid Size – .125” (.3175 cm) x .125” (.3175 cm)
Wide (Legal) Ruled Line Spacing
48 Pages per notebook
100 LB Cover Stock covers
80 LB Text Stock content pages
Rugged 3 staple saddle-stitch binding
Made in the U.S.A.        

The Brilliant Work of Jean Widmer

Posted on Posted in Design, Design Legends, Grid Systems, International Typographic StyleTagged , , , , , , , , , 9 Comments

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I have no clue how I’ve never heard of Jean Widmer. I’m disappointed in myself but I’m also giddy from the discovery! This morning I came across this brief article over at Grain Edit that includes some of Widmer’s work. I was instantly blown away and had to know more about this talented designer. I spent most of the morning researching Widmer and his work. Here’s what I’ve found.

Jean Widmer is a Swiss graphic designer who is responsible from introducing Swiss modernism into French graphic design and who eventually became a leader of the graphic design community in France for more than 40 years. Up until recently Widmer ran an agency in France called Visuel Design.

Unfortunately, much of his work is very difficult to find, online or in print. Pictured above are posters he designed for the Centre de Creation Industrielle which are just breathtaking. A few years back there was an massive exhibition of Widmer’s work at the Centre Pompidou in France. You can see some photos of the event here, here and here.

There was also an exhibit at the Herb Lubalin Study Centre of Design and Typography at Cooper Union in New York that was held from Autumn 2002 to 2003. The exhibition, “Jean Widmer, a devotion to modernism, itinerary of a designer from Zurich to Paris” featured a large collection of Widmer’s work and was accompanied by a 96 page catalogue. Gotta see if I can get my hands on that one. Anyway, here is a small gallery of the Cooper Union exhibit.

And finally, here is an interview with Widmer conducted by Graphis. Apparently Josef Müller-Brockmann was a big influence on him. Nice!