Summary
- Establish content relationships before visual form.
- Consistent spacing creates reading rhythm.
- A useful grid must survive on small screens.
Begin with Relationships
A grid is not a page divided into equal boxes. It clarifies which content belongs to the same level, what should align, and where distance is necessary.
The value of a grid is making relationships visible.
Create Rhythm
Repeated columns, spacing, and baselines produce a stable rhythm. A reader does not need to understand the rule to feel the order it creates.
Allow Responsive Change
Fewer columns may be necessary on a narrow screen, but hierarchy and rhythm should remain. Responsive design preserves the same relationships rather than shrinking the desktop page.