Column layout

Vertical columns and gutters organize the information.

Visual traits

• Vertical columns
• Column gutters

Expected changes

• Information is more likely to separate into vertical columns
• Gutters are more likely to appear between columns

Definition

A layout that divides an area into multiple vertical columns and places text, images, or supporting information by column. It does not determine particular content, art style, or publication format.

In more detail

Column width and spacing organize information, while a heading can span columns to show a group. Column count, content, color, typeface, and image style can be chosen separately.

Includes

• A layout dividing information into multiple vertical columns

Excludes

• A merely left-right split composition
• Tabular data display
• A particular art style or final format

What this does not imply

• A fixed number of columns
• Tabular data
• A particular typeface, art style, or final format

Variability

Column count and width can be adjusted to the amount of information and aspect ratio.

Usage

• Specify only the vertical-column information layout
• Specify column count and content separately

Distinguish similar expressions

• Distinguish it from a table read as rows and columns

Typical uses

• Divide longer information for easier reading
• Place multiple topics side by side for comparison

Possible failure modes

• Column boundaries are vague and read as one stream
• Columns are too narrow for the content to be legible