We use grid-based layouts for apps. First, a lot of financial apps need to display tabular data. Second, grids help with consistent layout for forms. If you have multiple functional areas on a single screen use the 'modulus' concept from the Swiss Style of design. That is, divide your screen into a grid of small cells that represent the finest granularity of real estate assignment you need. Then create your functional 'zones' using a muliplier of cell height and width (cell spanning). Continue to use the grid for layout within each zone. This will give you a logical and extensible layout.
This will work for content, displays (charts, graphs, et al.), controls and form fields as long as all objects are sized as a multiple of the modulus. Obviously the size of the modulus must be chosen with care since you can't have fractional dimensions of the modulus - the modulus represents the finest resolution of object size. The overall usable screen dimensions must also be a multiple of the modulusAttached is an example using a 5 pixel square modulus. A 1024 x 768 pixel screen can be divided into a grid of 256 x 192 cells using a modulus of 4 pixels square. In this case the finest resolution for positioning is 4 pixels.(See attached file: Swiss Style.png) Jon Karpoff Senior Partner Director User Experience Office: 1-212-237-5516 Cell: 1-914-419-4151 Email: [email protected] We few, we happy few 636 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036. Jennifer R Vignone <jennifer.r.vigno To [email protected]> Rein Groot <[email protected]>, Sent by: "[email protected]" discuss-boun...@l <[email protected]> ists.interactiond cc esigners.com Subject Re: [IxDA Discuss] Do grid systems 07/29/09 10:30 AM also apply to application interfaces? I design financial applications for trading and trade analysis. I have always used grids to base my design in. They provide stability to the design and make the design repeatable so that once created and applied as needed across the main screens, panels, widgets, etc., it can be replicated as the application evolves/expands. It cuts down on the back and forth between me and the developers to fine tune the design, because they have a grid and patterns to follow (down to the pixel). It also makes rapid development, where sometimes elements are implemented very quickly (and occasionally without the benefit of the designer -- ;) ) still adhere to some notion of the required design parameters. Jennifer =================================== -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rein Groot Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 9:06 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Do grid systems also apply to application interfaces? Hi All, I'm very interested in hearing your opinion/experience on the followig: For content sites a grid system can be used to give the page a clean and consistent layout. Do grid systems also work/exist for application interfaces? My own opinion: I think this does not work since application interfaces are not very likely to be layed out in columns, but rather in functional spaces. Hope to hear from you. ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help This email is confidential and subject to important disclaimers and conditions including on offers for the purchase or sale of securities, accuracy and completeness of information, viruses, confidentiality, legal privilege, and legal entity disclaimers, available at http://www.jpmorgan.com/pages/disclosures/email. ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer does not consent to email or messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of the sender's company shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. For more information on WPP's business ethical standards and corporate responsibility policies, please refer to WPP's website at http://www.wpp.com/WPP/About/
<<attachment: Swiss Style.png>>
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