Design elements

Lines in a layout provide a perception of order and establish and create clear distances and relationships between different objects. Our inspiration comes from magazines and periodicals whose design is made to attract the reader.

Lines also help us to provide stability to the layout. Lines can be used to delineate an area, or to divide areas and at the same time keep groups of text or graphic objects together. 

We use solid and dashed lines with rounded finish. In the example to the right, two lines are used in the same arrangement, since it may be appropriate to combine a solid one and a dashed one.

Start with a 1pt line thickness for publications in normal format. Very large or very small formats require the thickness to be adjusted.

Start with a 1pt line thickness for publications in normal format. Very large or very small formats require the thickness to be adjusted.

The picture shows:

• 1 pt. solid line with rounded ends.
• 1 pt. dashed line with rounded ends. Preset 3/2 in Adobe InDesign.

Here we show examples of how lines can be used together with text and graphic objects.

Here are examples of how lines can be used together with text and graphic objects horizontally.

Use the element "speech bubble" for a quotation or for additional communication such as for example a tip or a prompt. 

Tables can be designed and varied in many different ways. Use colour for a vibrant impression. 

The inclusion of round shapes injects dynamism into a mainly straight layout.  Circles can for example, contain an image, pictogram or infographic.

By using colour with transparency, we can insert larger green areas in a layout without making it seem flat. This also contributes to the impression of a multilayer layout - “layers on layers” - that we wish to achieve.