One of the best graphic design books for exploring the grid. Lots of photos with grid diagrams -- everything from print to web projects are featured.

Grids have been at the forefront of visual design for several decades now, and in the latest turn of events, they are being rigorously applied to the subject of web-design. The latter case was what motivated me to take a look at this book.

Showcase examples, and their visual and verbal deconstruction dominate much of the book. In terms of actual content, history and tips, Timothy Samara does a good job on the intro, but I was left wanting for more, hence the four star rating. Overall, it is a worthwhile investment, but it needs to be complimented by further reading.

If you work with any serious print layouts, this is the book for you.

This book presents a lot of good research. The book is exactly what it says on the cover: it presents two exhibits, work which conforms to the grid and work that breaks or bends the rules of layout and the grid.

After buying this book, I got rid of "Meggs: History of Graphic Design", totally do not need that book if you have this one.

I find myself turning to this book at the beginning of every big design project I work on. The grids are a useful tool that remind me of what is possible so that I don't get stuck repeating essentially the same layout over and over. And the design examples are inspiring themselves. It makes me thirsty for more grid examples however and I wish there were a dozen pages at the back of the book that gave several more grid layouts, without design examples. Or maybe I'm just lazy and should figure out my own grids!

A great resource. Inspirational and educational all in one great little book.
Great for designers of all levels.

Useful, clear for understand, direct and not superficial.

Very very good.

This book is especially helpful because not only are the examples innovative and exciting, but the grids are demonstrated for those examples. A great resource and a must have for any graphic designer

Timothy Samara is a Type genius. Using real-world examples, he breaks down grid systems in a smart and eloquent voice, leaving this reader feeling a lot more informed and intelligent about typographical choices in graphic design projects. If you are a student or just want to enlighten yourself, do yourself a favor and buy this book.

This book unleashes the every aspects of grid use in universal graphic design. I'm very satisfied the detailed text. Recommend to every student or professionals. Thank you Timothy. I'm looking for more great books from you.

This book is pretty sweet. Samara gives an overview of grid systems, how they are constructed and when they are used. Also, there is a large selection of example works, with cross-references within the book to other similar works.

If you're interested in implementing grids (or violating them) in your work, you should check out this book...

... but consider using a library!

I can't vouch for the content; it seems sound. I'm just trying to read the friggin' thing, which is quite a challenge because the body text is light grey and <9 point, in small columns. It's all very lovely from 2 feet away; the headings really stand out. The composition is subdued and attractive. You could frame some of the spreads if you wanted to. But to actually read it, well, pity those without 20-20, like myself.

Just buy it. it is a book to have for any designer. Beautiful book.

An architecture book used to help us as students push the envelope for design, book is brand new and arrived quickly thanks!

This is a developed look at handling type and page (surface) layout in a simple-yet-abstract way. Using grids and ideas presented in this book (with some practise), the learning designer can begin to utilise elements once thought as simple and static in ways which add dynamism to your layouts.

For a designer such as myself, a fan of Swiss and Bauhaus, simplicity, directness, Making and Breaking the Grid is a book full of idea and potential. Although not radical per se, it is a concise look at one of the most powerful aspects of communication design out there, in my opinion. Definitely worth a look.

My friend designer bought this book couple of months ago. Suddenly I noticed that I can't help myself looking into that book again and again. So, despite having it not far away, I decided to buy another instance for myself.
The book covers the grid theory and usage almost perfectly. If you're engaged in brochure or booklet design, you'll find this book full of ideas and extremely helpful, no matter whether you just start with it or you have been practicing brochure design for years.

i have seen so many books talk about grid,
most of them are too dry, either only have the imagry or just the grid itself,
this is the book would totally show me how is the grid being create, use and how the break it when it comes to layout.
check it out!

This book is great for young inspiring designers to use as a learning tool and reference book. It shows how to make a grid system work and how to modify different styles of grids to a designers particular needs. The book is less in content and more focusing on showing images of the grid at work. This is a must have book and the price is well worth it.

This is not a full review of the book. It is an initial caveat to purchasers. If you are the sort of graphic designer who is mightily impressed by references to the 'poststructural French philospher Rene Foucault' (reproduced with original spelling from page 117 of the book) then you will find this highly stimulating, and admire the pretty pictures.

If, on the other hand, you find such ignorance laughable, or feel that a half-decent writer (never mind editor) should catch such howlers, then you may have pause for thought. It is a philosophical issue, of course: some believe that graphic design should have such contempt for mere words that they can be ignored, set in Dingbats or otherwise mutilated. Such an opinion is, however, not entirely in accord with many designers referenced in this book. A deliberate contradiction on the part of the author? I don't think so.

So, shoddily edited, but looks nice.