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Design · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Layouting Techniques

This course focuses on the art and science of arranging visual elements on a page to ensure effective communication and aesthetic balance. Students will explore the history of page design, grid systems, and typographical hierarchy, learning to organize complex information into coherent visual narratives for both print and digital media.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master the use of grid systems and modular design for structural consistency
  2. Establish strong visual hierarchy using scale, color, and negative space
  3. Integrate typography and imagery seamlessly within a composition
  4. Develop proficiency in industry-standard desktop publishing software (e.g., InDesign)
  5. Produce professional-grade layouts for magazines, brochures, and digital interfaces
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Introduction to Layout Design & Historical Context
  2. 02The Anatomy of a Page & Margins
  3. 03Typography in Layout: Kerning, Leading & Alignment
  4. 04Introduction to Grid Systems (Column & Modular)
  5. 05Visual Hierarchy & Focal Points
  6. 06Working with Images & Text Wrap Techniques
  7. 07Color Theory in Editorial Design
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Multi-page Documents & Master Pages
  10. 10The Golden Ratio & Advanced Composition
  11. 11Breaking the Grid: Deconstructive Layouts
  12. 12Digital Layouts: UI/UX Considerations
  13. 13Cover Design & Branding Integration
  14. 14Pre-press Production & Print Specifications
  15. 15Final Project: Magazine or Booklet Design
  16. 16Final Project Submission & Critique

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: Magazine or Booklet Design

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Making and Breaking the Grid by Timothy Samara
  2. Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Müller-Brockmann
  3. Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton
  4. The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
  5. Layout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grids by Beth Tondreau
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