When we start working on a reticular system we must follow a very defined process to obtain the best result. In the initial phase we will have to make an appreciation of what we want to create and transmit to our readers. How are we going to do it? We will pay attention to the characteristics of our content from the informational point of view and the means we will need (software, knowledge, equipment) to be able to design and produce our format.
Once we have defined the objective and the means to achieve it, we will proceed to design our skeleton. What parts is it composed of? What should I keep in mind? Here is a description of the most important elements and a scheme to work on it:
Elements of the reticular system:
- Modules: They are each of the space units in which we are going to divide our document and where we will place our contents in an organized way.
- Spatial zones: Our modules will be grouped by themes or defined functions. This will be strictly related to the purpose of our project and its character.
- Flow lines: They are those alignments that divide our entire space and divide it into different modules.
- Columns: They are the vertical alignments of modules that will create the horizontal divisions that exist between the margins of our document.
- Margins: Spaces that exist between the outer edge of the format and our own content.
- Markers: They are position indicators that tell us where the subordinate text will be located throughout our document.
In this infographic you can see it in a more graphic and simple way:
