InDesign – Working with Modular Baseline Grids

Learn how to setup and work with modular, asymmetric baseline grid systems for Adobe InDesign.

For the demonstration I’m using the Colours Grid System Series – versatile A4, US letter, A5 and 6 × 9 InDesign layouts / templates.

Following the tutorial I introduce the layouts themselves and how, in addition to being a tool for learning, can also form the foundation of your real-life typography project – suitable for brochures, reports, case studies and more.

Whether you’re a designer or in marketing, business or any other field, I hope you find this resource useful.

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Recommended reading

Grid Systems in Graphic Design —

The Elements of Typographic Style —

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More about Stephen Kelman

Stephen graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in 2005. With considerable agency experience, his particular skillsets include brand identity and editorial design. He has received numerous Scottish and UK wide awards for identity and editorial design including a CIPR Excellence Award in 2013.

[junaedy]

reading theory is a bit of a pain for beginners like me, but this tutorial is very practical with easy to understand explanations that makes it even more fun. Thank you very much

[knast]

Hi Stephen, I really love these guides to grids that you've made and I love how you set-up premade templates to download aswell.

Just wanna let you know that I'm very interested in these tutorial you do. If you ever decide to put up an extended course for purchase id be super hyped! Or perhaps more videos regarding this super sleek Swiss design aesthetic. Anyways.. Love your work! Keep it up!

[meelon]

Thanks for the clear and concise tutorial. I'd love to see a tutorial on how to use baseline grids in copy heavy editorial design, with headers and sub headers.. can't seem to find anything about that!

[olas]

Thank you Stephen, more like this please

[flytetime]

I’ve been designing for years but this was very useful, clear and concise. I look forward to seeing more content.

[normanhathaway]

Stephen I think this is wonderful. A real scarcity of this type of instructional teaching for typography on the web. I have two small tips for you: instead of switching to use the calculator, you can do your figuring within the indesign cell. so when dividing in half, after the existing measurement, type /2 and return. the other is instead of clicking within a cell to type a number, simply single-click on the letter or symbol to the left of the cell, as that will highlight the existing numbers.

[leonvogler]

Wow, the most insightful video on grids and typography I watched in a very long time! Thanks

[cyanotypes]

super helpful! You make creating something beautiful look effortless.

[kreative_kam]

This is dope! Great insight into modular baseline grids and will definitely apply what I've learnt from watching your video. Many thanks

[taratantara]

Immediately bought your template, saved me the hustle and will definitely be used time and time again.Thanks!

[SubtleSidekick]

great video..i love typography & layout design. Please upload more 🙏

[JohnyByrne]

This is comprehensive and shows the craft of design and layout. Thanks so much for sharing your practice. I have been creating layouts for many years from Quark to InDesign and I learned more here in this video than I did in the classroom or studio. Those precision grids are awesome!

[OhSoBrrdy]

So helpful, I've never really understood baseline grids till this video. Thanks

[daneocampo]

Thank you so much for this. I finally understand in full confidence how to setup and utilize a baseline grid. The math always confused me but this has made it really easy! Cheers!

[SaltLake]

Thank you so much.I was always scared of this.

[TheFuse]

Thanks for this wonderful and informative tutorial

[klukluska]

Thank you so much for your work. I finally solve some issues i was dealing with!

[hamzaGM-zsvp]

This is so helpful, so hard to find this kind of information anywhere else... please more of this!

[ryanbelmontryan]

This was a great, timeless tutorial. Thanks for posting.

[ryanluca]

Thanks for the tutorial man, just what i was needing. Also, you could do a tutorial in text and paragraph styles, I find it very confusing and would appreciate your explanation on it. Thanks again 🙏