What is the 60-40 rule in design?

They have: 160 posts

Joined: Mar 2002

What is the 60-40 rule in design? More specifically how does it apply to type, kerning etc?

He has: 1,758 posts

Joined: Jul 2002

I'm not sure what you mean... I've done some research and it either relates to the amount of shop space a store can legally allow for selling adult stuff without a licence or something to do with baseball... Can you expand a bit?

Andy

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Or has this got something to do with text size and line length? I know there are a bunch of forumla's for figuring that out.

They have: 11 posts

Joined: Jul 2004

never heard of it, besides, since when does design deal with formulas?

They have: 160 posts

Joined: Mar 2002

Well this is amazing. I have a job I'm trying to get. I have an acquaintence on the inside helping me. Apparently this big time sign making shop uses the 60/40 rule. Like you guys I hadn't heard of it although I had a guess as to what it means.

I also have this question posted on a similar forum.

Out of all the designers who've looked at this, and that's a lot of designers only one guy seemed to know and his answer was my guess also.

60% text and image and 40% white space.

Although it could be visa versa this is what I think it means.

[email protected]

http://www.alogical.com

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Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Oh, okay, that explains it a little better. So many of us web designers have no background in print! I always thought that they had secrets Smiling

They have: 11 posts

Joined: Jul 2004

no, that's not a rule in print design either ...

Roo's picture

She has: 840 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

Are you maybe talking about a 6/4 ratio?

I know print designers use some kind of ratio when designing for really large media such as sigage, trade booth panels etc. etc.

But that has to do with the size you design at something at for large format print.

Roo

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

60/40 is usually used for production design, not graphic design. I don't suppose that helps much. Wink

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

See how clueless we are ? LOL.

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