2. What is unity as it applies to design?
Unity is the thought that all the different parts of a design should look as if they belong together. There are two types of unity, conceptual unity and visual unity. Conceptual unity would be those connection made on a non-visual level. The book gives a good example of this by showing a picture where the number 5 is represented in numerous ways – the number 5, a clock set to 5 o’clock, a dice, the letter V. All of these conceptually have unity, but visually are very different. To contrast this there is visual unity, which is where the objects all have similar design and look to belong together.
4. What is the layout of a design?
The layout is the arrangement of all the elements of a design in the space piece.
5. How can the grid be used as a layout tool?
The grid is a series of intersecting line that are used to align the elemts on a page. This can often create an implied line by lining up different elements. I use this technique all the time when I am working in photoshop or illustrator as they have the nice rulers that can be turned on, you can then click and drag “guides” out from the rulers that make either splitting the page in sections or just lining up items very easy.
7. Give an example of a metaphor used in a nongrid layout.
The simplest example that comes to my mind is the various names places use for shopping carts online. No matter if they are called shopping carts, bags, backpacks, baskets, etc… the overall understanding is the same. The items in your cart are items that you wish you purchase. Another great metaphor that is often used (especially in browsers themselves) is the simple drawing of a home to represent your homepage.