Are you grappling with how to design websites using a grid-based layout? Check out Khoi Vinh and Mark Boulton’s excellent design tutorial, Grids are Good.

The presentation starts with a brief history of grids, then walks you through a step-by-step example of redesigning a large portal-type site using a grid.

The portal example is especially interesting because of its complexity. Here’s what Khoi says:

When I started casting about for an ideal candidate, there was an obvious winner in a high-profile portal Web site that–™s familiar to millions of Web surfers –” rhymes with –œha-hoo.– That site has an ideal mix of many different kinds of information design problems: robust navigation, multiple content types, consumer branding, a mix of editorial and marketing contents. You couldn–™t really ask for a more well-rounded challenge.

I especially love that Khoi also carefully considers how ads fits into the site. In fantasy-land there’d be no ads, but in reality, we have to live with them. Instead of ignoring them until the very end of the design process, Khoi accounts for ads from beginning, creating a harmonious, balanced, and integrated look.

Download the complete presentation here:

• Grids are Good

For more of Khoi’s thoughts on grids:

• Oh Yeeaahh!

Posted in: Design, Grids, Web Design