Interview With Adam Nash

Although my dissertation focused on grids and their influence, some of the answers I received from my interviews with designers are to do with layout which is an important part of editorial design. This one is with Adam Nash, who is head of creative at BrandNew in Armley where I did my work placement last summer:

Do you remember the first time you encountered grids?
At uni, 1999

Were you taught grids during your design education or were they something you sought out yourself?
Bought a book by Bruno Monguzzi, tutors approved and further influenced my interest, I became addicted.

How did they make you feel/what did you think of them?
I wanted to master the grid, it was a measure of learning and understanding design. Having a reason for putting something somewhere, justifying my design.

There are lots of people who like/dislike grids, where do you stand now and why?
Grids can be good and bad depends what you are communicating and who you are communicating to. Grids play their part in setting tone.

Do you think that the grid is an elitist design tool?
No I think it's necessary and should be practised and understood

From a graphic design point of view do you feel that grids aid or stifle communication and why?
Again it can do both it should be used at the right time and in the right way. Not all graphic design should use a grid, signage for an airport or medicinal instruction would be aided by a grid. A montage, mood board something less contrived.

Do you think that those who have sought to move away from grids have produced
effective design?
It's about appropriateness

Do you think grid systems have changed?
They are Developed for each purpose, format and content

Grids are said to help organize, what are your views on this?
They do, they can lead the eye, priorities info etc..

Do you think it stems from education, experience, a need to put order on or tame the world?
Human behaviour and order

How do you think grids/lines have affected the design world as a whole such as in
art or architecture?
It's very similar, it's a deliberate selection, creation, or arrangement

What attributes should a good layout have and why?
Depends on what its for. So many variables, very hard to pin down clear and concise, highly legible and logical might be good for IKEA instructions.

How do you think grids may be used in the future, what about in 10 or 50 years time?
Grids have been around for ages and ages, they can only develop and become more
intuitive applied to future technologies.

When we look back on the history of graphic design, art, architecture etc. we as a society can see movements, shifts in styles across all disciplines. As a designer where do you see layout heading?
Again applied to alternative technologies, could become more formulaic, people may not be needed.

Do you think there are any systems that could rival the grid?
The good old fashioned 'going by eye', things that are too perfect can be less
appealing, less human.

And finally, is there anything else you would like to say about grids?
I've fallen out with my grid.