MERCER-- week ten

I really am a big fan of any layout or design that involves everything being lined up in a really neat and proper way. For that reason, I really liked pg. 124 of Lupton's book (Jochem Stankowski's identity system). I really like things of the same shape and size lining up perfectly over and over again with even spacing.

The 1st photo on this post is of Anthem Magazine's home page. (http://www.anthemmagazine.com check it out!!!)

1.) There are clearly two columns and the rows within the columns line up nicely as well. Even when the rows are more narrow than others, they still line up to fit snugly inside of the bigger rows. Furthermore, at the top of the page, the alignment continues! With the main headline and photo, as well as menu options, everything lines up and it looks so clean!

2.) The grid involves two main columns, and many rows within those columns. The top of the page only has one column-- which is the width of the two columns together! This layout completely leads me down the page and I read every aspect of it. This may not be the case with everyone, but since I so love the alignment when it's clean like this, it's really easy and readable for me.

3.) As I said earlier, I am definitely engaged in this particular site, since it's aligned so well! I think that the clean lines almost make a grid in my mind, without actual grid lines being present. Because of the alignment and how it makes the page readable and makes me read everything on the page, I would say it's completely engaging. I really like the colors too! (Not that that's relevant).

4.) One could look at the site and see the stark black and white contrast (mixed with the cool small patches of bright colors) as pretty tense. Mix that with the lack of variety and the fact that there is no deviation from the grid, and you have a pretty tense situation! Once again, though, I don't think it's tense! I find it relaxing to see things lined up perfectly, so I appreciate Anthem very much.

p.s. I also reallllly like the logo for the magazine! Check it out!