A system in its most
basic definition is
a whole, acting as a
unit of interacting
parts. A system has
interrelated elements
whose relationships are
both structural and
functional. Structurally,
a system is made up
of subsystems that also
contain subsystems
themselves.

March + April 2011

interactions

example. A graphic designer is
tasked with designing the layout
for a book. After creating a num-
ber of hand sketches to ascertain
the overall feeling of pages and
chapters, she is ready to give form
to the design. She will first estab-
lish a set of repeating measures,
or modular units, upon which to
base the design. She will take an
inventory of the text and visual
elements needed to communicate
the design, choose a type family or
two to work with, and find suitable
designs for each of the elements.
Working guidelines for the design
of each of the elements will be cre-
ated. Excerpts of text will be tested
with all of the element designs for
legibility and aesthetic balance.
Finally, single pages and double-
page spreads will be subjected to
what designers call “the squint
test”—assuring the design looks
good holistically, with balanced
visual contrast.