Grids and Layout by The Futur

The Futur Grids and Layout is a self-study kit by type designer and illustrator Viktor Baltus, sold in The Futur's shop. Unlike most listings in this section it is not a video course: you get a 65-page guidebook as a PDF, printable modular grid templates in 5x3 and 4x2 formats, and composition overlays for Illustrator and Photoshop based on the Fibonacci spiral, the golden ratio, the Gutenberg diagram, the rule of thirds and similar systems. It is pitched at beginner to intermediate designers and costs $59.

We include it here because it is a practical, low-cost way into layout theory, and because it pairs naturally with The Futur's video courses on type. If you learn best by reading and then trying things on your own artboard, a kit like this can be more useful than hours of lectures. If you need someone to talk you through every step, it will feel thin, and that is worth knowing before you buy.

What You Will Learn

The guidebook and tools cover the foundations of arranging content on a page or screen:

• Typography basics that affect layout decisions
• The anatomy of a grid: columns, rows, modules, margins and gutters
• Different types of composition and when each works
• How classic proportional systems such as the golden ratio and the rule of thirds guide placement
• How to use the Gutenberg diagram to think about reading order
• Choosing artboard sizes for common formats
• Checking an existing design against an overlay to see why it feels balanced or not

Who Is The Futur Grids and Layout For?

The kit suits design students, junior designers and self-taught creatives who want a structured reference on layout that they can keep open while they work. It is also handy for illustrators and photographers who design their own posters, zines or portfolio pages and want a quick system to lean on.

It is not the right choice if you want video teaching, assignments with critique, or a long programme. Experienced editorial designers will probably know most of the theory already, though the overlays may still save time.

What Is in the Kit

Because this is a kit rather than a course, there are no modules or lessons. The contents are:

• Guidebook: a 65-page PDF covering typography basics, grid anatomy, composition types and artboard sizes
• Modular grid templates: printable sheets in 5x3 and 4x2 layouts for sketching thumbnails on paper
• Composition overlays: files for Illustrator and Photoshop that you place over your artwork, including Fibonacci, golden ratio, Gutenberg and rule of thirds guides

A sensible way to use it is to read the guidebook first, sketch a few layouts on the printed grids, then build the best one digitally and test it with an overlay.

Price and Access

The Futur Grids and Layout costs $59 and is delivered as downloadable files. The official page does not describe it as a course with ongoing access or updates, so keep your own copy of the files once you have downloaded them. Check the official page for the current price, as The Futur runs occasional sales.

About the Author

Viktor Baltus is a type designer and illustrator with more than 20 years of experience in Adobe Illustrator. He is also the founder of an award-winning package design studio, which shows in the kit's practical focus on real formats and compositions.

Things to Consider

• No video: this is a reading-and-doing kit; there are no lectures or critiques.
• Software: you need Adobe Acrobat to read the guidebook, and Illustrator or Photoshop to use the overlays.
• Self-direction: set yourself small briefs, such as a poster, a magazine spread and a web hero section, to put the theory to work.
• Pairing: if you want video teaching on grids, The Futur's Typography 01 by Chris Do has a full module on grid systems; the kit works well as a companion to it.
• Overlays are guides: proportional systems help you check balance, but they are not rules every layout must follow.

Is It Worth It?

For $59, The Futur Grids and Layout gives you a compact reference and a set of tools you can reuse on every project. It will not replace a structured course, but as a desk companion for layout work it is good value, especially if you already use Illustrator or Photoshop daily.

Start the Course

Interested in learning with The Futur?

Start Grids and Layout

For the full contents and pricing, visit the official The Futur website.

Looking for more ways to learn? Browse all courses and learning resources on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 9, 2026