Initial Research

Evaluation of Grid Deconstruction in Editorial Design

Magazine design needs to be reinvented on every issue while maintaining its culture/ identity. The exercise always hope to entice its readers by being different, and yet still identify with its readers by not changing so much.

Grid deconstruction is a method graphic designers can adopt to achieve creative reinvention. The term ‘deconstruction’ means breaking down a structure in hope of discovering a new unpredictable outcome.

As I research into the definition of this word, however, I come across a variation of theory about deconstruction, its ambiguity and conflicting interpretations. At later stage, I need to be critical in defining what this term means for this major project, despite the varied definitions out there. Primary research is important, as it will help to inform the purpose and definition of deconstruction. However, choosing the type of material (existing publication or layout) to work with is trickier than I expected. Perhaps I will start with a wider range of materials and slowly narrow down as more tests developed.

I am reading a lot of articles and critics related to deconstruction theory and practice in the context of postmodernism era (1980s-1990s, when many school of thoughts questioned modernism and other conventions) to understand how this method/theory has evolved. I will then look into applying deconstruction in contemporary context (2000-now).