Imagine a design without significant direction, with crowded visual elements without precise purpose. Without proper layout, the design will lose focus, and the visual message will be difficult to convey to its fullest extent. Before delving further into popular types of layout design, it’s important to first understand what it means. Layout design is the arrangement of visual elements in graphic design, both print and digital, such as magazines, brochures, posters, and web pages. These elements include text, images, icons, lines, and even white space. To understand more deeply, you can read the definition, elements, and basic principles of layout design on the official Din Studio website.
A good layout application will facilitate the audience’s navigation and understanding of the content. Understanding the types of layout needs more than just technical understanding; it also needs the skills to create an effective, well-structured design. This approach will ensure that the design message is effectively communicated.
In this article, we will take you on a journey to explore 10 popular types of layout that are essential for designers to master. Additionally, we will provide an in-depth analysis of their characteristics and how to implement them effectively. Let’s dive in and explore how they create impactful, visually appealing, and expressive artwork!
Table of Contents
The following are 10 of the most popular types of layout, along with their features and implementation:
The Mondrian layout is a layout influenced by Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter known for his abstract paintings. This asymmetrical layout design is based on basic hues such as red, yellow, and blue.
The black lines function as a separator in each layout field. This type of layout is applicable in movie posters, fashion magazines, and event banners. Generally, designers will place the image element in a rectangular shape with different orientations.
The next one is the axial layout. This is one of the most popular types of layout that uses an axis as the focal point for element modification. Its distinctive characteristics are the maintenance of balance, a focused look, and the arrangement of supporting elements in smaller sizes around the main element. As a result, axial layout is commonly utilized in the design of posters, periodicals, brochures, and social media to provide a clear and professional flow of information.
Big type layout is one of the types of layout that focuses on using large-sized text as the main element. The dominant letters are used to attract attention while quickly and firmly reinforcing the core message. The distinctive features of a big type layout include significant typographic size contrast and minimal use of other visual elements. Big Type Layout is widely used in promotional posters, magazine covers, and print advertisements where the main text needs to be easily readable from a distance.
The picture window layout stands out among various designs, showcasing a large image as the focal point that captures attention. This layout features a smaller text portion compared to others. The design captivates with its bold emphasis on the detailed image of the product. Picture window layout often appears in ads, magazine covers, or product catalogs, where striking images serve as the primary tool to captivate the audience before they discover the supporting details.
Multi panel layout is one of the popular types of layout that divides the space into several panels. Each panel has different images or texts, yet they are still connected to each other visually. Its distinctive feature is its neat and segmented structure, which makes it easy to present information sequentially. Multi-panel layouts are often used in comics, infographics, or folded brochures because they can guide readers to follow the content flow systematically and in a structured manner.
Silhouette layout is a type of layout that emphasizes the silhouette shape of objects as the main element. Images or objects are processed into solid shadow forms without detail, creating a simple, clear, and easily recognizable visual focus. It has a distinctive feature with a sharp contrast between the silhouette and the background. This type of layout is ideal for posters, logos, or creative advertisements that want to showcase visual identity in a minimalist yet impactful way, and it is also perfect for retro and classic-themed designs.
The next type of layout is frame layout. It is a layout that uses frame components to enclose or restrict the main content area. The frame might take the form of lines, colors, or ornamental decorations. This arrangement stands out by providing a clear visual border. As a result, the content appears more balanced and organized. Because of its formality, this layout is perfect to create certificates, invitations, publications, and web homepages.
The alphabet inspired layout is a type of design layout that adopts the shapes or structures of letters to display artistic designs, thereby strengthening the nuances of visual messages or ideas. This graphic design layout style utilizes typographic forms—letters or numbers—as the main elements in visual composition. Text elements not only serve as information but also as a graphic form that creates a specific story, atmosphere, or idea. Its distinctive feature is creativity in combining typography and visual layout. This layout is ideal for poster designs, creative advertising, or book covers to create a unique, modern, and experimental impression, while also strengthening the connection between the message and the letterforms used.
Among all types of layout, the circus layout uniquely combines various visual elements that create a dynamic yet messy feel. Circus layouts’ characteristics are lively, energetic, and full of movement. Although the design composition seems irregular, this layout is suitable for expressive and busy designs. This layout is suitable for posters for entertainment events, festivals, or creative product promotions because it can create a strong visual appeal and pique the audience’s curiosity.
Last but not least on this list of popular types of layout is rebus layout. This layout delivers the design message by combining pictures and texts interactively. Sometimes, symbols or illustration that represent them can even replace the use of word. For example, the symbol “❤️” replaces the word “love.” Its effectiveness lies in its ability to actively engage the audience in understanding the message content. Thus, this layout is perfect for creative advertisements, educational materials, or campaign designs that aim to pique curiosity.
In the realm of design, layout serves as a visual architecture, managing the audience’s line of sight and shaping their experience. Choosing the proper layout involves careful effort to ensure that each element works in tandem with the others. That way, we can communicate the design message simply, visually, and successfully. So, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you choose types of layout that are consistent with the goal and character of the artwork you’re creating.
By understanding the 10 popular design layout types and their application tips, every designer has a strong foundation for creating effective, aesthetic, and communicative works. Choosing the right design layout improves visual quality and ensures the message can optimally deliver. Thus, apply these insights to each of your design projects, and find the combination that best suits the brand’s character and goals. Start experimenting with different types of layouts, and let your creativity be your main strength in producing memorable designs.
Unlock freebies for your creative projects. Explore a curated selection of fonts, graphics, and more - all absolutely free. Don't miss out, claim yours now!
Claim Free Freebies
