It’s now being widely endorsed that the optimal design width for the web is 960 pixels. So what’s the motive for the ‘960’ movement? It’s in essence an endeavour to simplify web developments work flow by making use of commonly used dimensions set upon a width of 960 pixels.
It can be considered that 1024×768 resolution is the new 800×600, thus 960 pixels logically appears a fine magic number to make the most of the wider canvases on which we’re progressively designing upon. Using this 960 grid we have set the foundation to use a variety of columns to effortlessly assist the development process, the most common number of columns being 12-column or 16-column with each division width being 60 pixels and 40 pixels respectively. So let’s put this into a visual perspective.
Have a glimpse of how a 12 column grid is divided and how each columns combined margin collectively creates a tidy 20 pixel gutter here.
The fundamental benefit of the 960 grid framework is to enable hasty layout prototyping, relieving repetitive and monotonous workflow tasks, but is also dynamic enough to be adapted for any web design or development project. Grid design is a well established printing practice that’s been more than time tested in the industry and it seems the web developing world is starting to reap the benefits this design practice has to offer.
The origin of the idea was to ease future maintenance of sites and eliminate the deficits between designers and developers and get them thinking and communicating better, I believe it does just that and hope you will consider it yourself.
There’s numerous grid systems available for use online, and there are good practices for creating systems of your own. These cover major design software and also a number of CSS grid templates containing all you need to begin creating your own websites based on the 960 grid platform.
Leave a Reply
Brilliant article, think i’ll make use of your advice!
Another well written blog! Don’t ever stop them or else my eyes will solidify. Have a fab day!