RP1 – Grids and Frames

Examples of grids and frames used structurally and to communicate visually in everyday settings.

Figure 1 – Original photograph of a David Bowie Magazine Cover (Bowie Essentials, 2022).
Figure 2 – Original photograph of a magazine layout (Bowie Essentials, 2022).
Figure 3 – Original photograph of a magazine layout (Bowie Essentials, 2022).
Figure 4 – Original photograph of a magazine layout (Bowie Essentials, 2022).
Figure 5 – Original photograph of a magazine layout (Bowie Essentials, 2022).
Figure 6 – Original photograph of a magazine layout (Bowie Essentials, 2022).

The use of grids and frames is demonstrated throughout the visual design of the David Bowie magazine (Figure 1 – 6). The purposeful placement of images and text draw the reader in and take them on a clear visual journey ensuring they’re captivated by the content. The magazine makes use of a variety of different columns, which capture different types of text and imagery. The inconsistency of the shape, size and layout of the grids and frames provides the reader with a sense of liberation and release from the ridged structures found in other examples of reading material. Moreover, this interprets a sense of freedom and encapsulates the essence of David Bowie and his influential presence.

Figure 7 – Original photograph of Mod-inspired illustrations.

The artist has used a grid format to create a separation between illustrations (Figure 7). Without the occurrence of the grid, the page would be overwhelming and crowded, taking away from the intricate details in each piece of artwork.

Figure 8 – Original photograph of a book layout (Derrick and Muir, 2012).
Figure 9 – Original photograph of a book layout (Derrick and Muir, 2012).
Figure 10 – Original photograph of a book layout (Derrick and Muir, 2012).

The film and polaroid photography use a simple three-column grid with individual frames that tell viewers a series of intimate visual stories (Figure 8 – 10). The placement of columns on the page is scattered, providing a sense of realism and personality in a visually pleasing manner.

Figure 11 – Original photograph of a book layout (Derrick and Muir, 2012).

Expanding on the use of grids and frames through the presentation of photography, the example of a scrapbook still uses the basic structure of columns with a more personalised approach (Figure 11).

Figure 12 – Original photograph of an example of architecture located in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 13 – Original photograph of an example of architecture located in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 14 – Original photograph of North Bar located in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 15 – Original photograph of North Bar located in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 16 – Original photograph of a window frame located in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 17 – Original close-up photograph of a window frame located in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 18 – Original photograph of a window frame covered with a metal grid located in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 19 – Original photograph of a window frame located in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Grids and frames are also apparent in architecture, ensuring buildings are structurally safe and visually striking. For example, various grids and frames are used in the architectural images in and around Hull (Figure 12 – 19).

Figure 20 – Original photograph of a phone box at Hull University.

Moreover, grids are used in public instalments such as bus stops, phone boxes and shelters. For example, the grids used in the phone box image are used for structural and visual purposes, as the frames hold the windows in place and make a pattern (Figure 20).

Figure 21 – Original photograph of a drain located in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 22 – Original photograph of a grid within a grid located in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Figure 23 – Original photograph of a drain located in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Finally, grids and frames are used in everyday systems such as drains and road markings (Figure 21 – 23). Moreover, instead of being used in structures or visual design, they have functional purposes such as guiding road users and draining rainwater from the roads ensuring they don’t flood.

References

Derrick, R. and Muir, R., 2012. Unseen Vogue. London: Little, Brown.

Mojo The Collectors Series, 2022. Bowie Essentials. (36).

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