Over time the relevance of typographic conventions and traditions
have evolved from its rich historical context in the form of scripts to
computer generated and adapted type forms. This has seen a transformation in
what is considered "traditional" as contemporary publishing, while recognising
the conventions of typography pushes the boundaries and breaks the rules in a
manner where new ways use existing platforms.
The grid is the most common foundation for designers and is
conventional system to organise typographic layouts. The use of the grid dates
back as early as 4500-3500 B.C., long before printing
was invented. Only in the mid to late 1940s was a more flexible and modern grid
system developed. It was in the 1980s when designers started to break away from
conventions of the traditional grid and started to experiment.
Two contrasting examples of "breaking the
rules" and adapting the modern grid system can be seen below.
With the contemporary means of publishing texts being
the web it has too adapted to the modern grid system in a conventional manner.
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| Crate and Barrel website 'modern grid system' |
David Carson (teacher and graphic designer) is one of
the most renowned designers for his unconventional use of the grid.
 |
| David Carson 'breaking the rules' |
While I do believe the rules are still relevant and the boundaries
need to be considered, I do believe that contemporary works that consider the
conventions, break certain restrictions and know when to stop is important in
creating unique and interesting type forms. This is in correspondence with
society's need to keep in with the new and out with the old yet still
maintaining some essence of what was.
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