Type Workshop 4

Cannons

Va de graaf

• A gridded page is like scaffolding for a building
• It is a structure that elements can be organised
• The canon is a historical reconstruction method that may have been used in book design to divide a page in pleasing proportions 
• The cannon is also known as the 'secret cannon' 
• The construction of Van De Graaf's canon works for any page width: height ratio. 

Jan Tschichold's canon of medieval manuscript layout with 2:3 pages and text area 1:phi and margins 1:1:2:3, approximately. Created by modifying Jossi's Image:Medieval manuscript framework. On the right is Octavo format. 

Using Indesign, creating a canon 

Making a grid

Leading

• column width is more than just design or format.
• It is also based on legibility.
• Printed collateral (text) is read by the eye of a distnce of 30-35cm.
• According to empirical rule there should be 7 lines per line for a text of any length. 
• Overlong text lines tire the eye, as does short lines. 
• Readers find overlong lines strenuous to read.
• This is because too much energy is spent keeping the horizontal line in sight over long distance. 
• Wrong column widths leas to a waste of time and energy. 
• The key is ease of reading.
• The text must not impair the rhythm of the reading. 

Margin proportions

• Influence that overall feel of the page.
• Too small- looks over full.
• Too large- Exaggeration.
• Well balanced margins on the side, head and tail can create an agreeable impression.