Good layout design is both dynamic and clear, creating visual points of interest that guide the reader through a piece of content without overshadowing its message. Many layout designers adhere to a set of principles (like alignment, visual hierarchy, and space) when designing a unique and effective layout.

Good design is a concept defined by industrial designer Dieter Rams's principles: It makes a product useful and understandable, is innovative, aesthetic, unobtrusive, honest, long-lasting, thorough to the last detail, environmentally friendly, and involves as little design as possible.

There are four basic layout types: process, product, hybrid, and fixed position. In this section we look at the basic characteristics of each of these types. Then we examine the details of designing some of the main types.