Interview With Antonio Carusone

The last interview I did for my dissertation was with Antonio Carusone, a graphic designer from New York and the owner of TheGridSystem.org website, a great resource for all things to do with the grid:

Name
Antonio Carusone

Date Of Birth
1979

Location
New York City

Occupation
Associate Creative Director

Can you provide me with some of your professional/educational background details?
I studied art & design from High School on and I've mainly worked in large
advertising agencies.

Do you remember the first time you encountered grids?
It was when I worked at Big Spaceship. The two Art Directors there were Swedish and they put on a little show and tell session about grids.

Were you taught grids during your design education or were they something you sought out yourself?
In High School and College I mainly studied Computer Animation so I wasn't exposed to many graphic design methods. It wasn't until later on in my career that I discovered grids.

How did they make you feel/what did you think of them?
I was amazed by grids. I used to feel that I was missing something in my designs. I used to "eye" everything and that just didn't feel right to me. When I discovered grids it all made sense and I finally found a solid foundation for my designs.

There are lots of people who like/dislike grids, where do you stand now and why?
I love grids. I think they're essential to any successful design. People who dislike grids don't understand how to use them.

Do you think that the grid is an elitist design tool?
Absolutely not. It's an essential tool for any designer.

From a graphic design point of view do you feel that grids aid or stifle communication and why?
They aid communication because they create a solid foundation for the designs, in turn improving the overall impact.

Do you think that those who have sought to move away from grids have produced effective design?
I'm sure there are effective designs that don't use grids but they could be improved with the use of a well designed grid.

Do you think grid systems have changed?
Not at all.

Grids are said to help organize, what are your views on this?
I totally agree. Grids help with structure, composition, layout and hierarchy.

Do you think it stems from education, experience, a need to put order on or tame the world?
Not sure where it stems from. For me it's a way of giving meaning to my designs.

How do you think grids/lines have affected the design world as a whole such as in art or architecture?
The beauty of grid systems is that they can be used in any application. They've had a huge impact on the design world.

What attributes should a good layout have and why?
Structure, hierarchy, balance and rhythm.

How do you think grids may be used in the future, what about in 10 or 50 years time?
I hope that over time more and more designers, specifically graphic designers, adopt the use of grid systems.

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?
Not really sure. I am noticing a shift towards a more minimal approach that was popular in the 60s.

Do you think there are any systems that could rival the grid?
Don't know any.

And finally, is there anything else you would like to say about grids?
They're awesome. Embrace them.