Modular Type System vs Swiss

モジュラー・タイプシステム / スイス・スタイル

Modular Type System comes from Type Classification and Swiss from Functionalism. One is layout and the other style. They are reached for with some of the same intent, which is where they get confused.

Modular Type System

Modular Type System — ヴィム・クラウエル『Vormgevers』ポスター 1968 撮影: Simon Malz（CC BY-SA 2.0）Modular Type System — ヴィム・クラウエル ステデリック美術館カタログ 1971（Simon Malz, CC BY-SA 2.0）Modular Type System — 《ロマン・デュ・ロワ》方眼上に作図された a と b、c.1700 — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

Locks sizes and spacing to a few ratios, one consistent voice across changing media.

Swiss

Swiss — Josef Müller-Brockmann《Beethoven》ポスター 1955 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0Swiss — Josef Müller-Brockmann《Musica Viva》ポスター — Wikimedia Commons / Public domainSwiss — Josef Müller-Brockmann《der Film》ポスター — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

Puts order front and center and makes the information itself the protagonist.

Modular Type SystemSwiss
Eramodernist–variable type1950s–
FamilyType ClassificationFunctionalism
KindLayoutStyle
CuesRatio scales / Repeating hierarchy / Baseline grid / Variable widthsStrict grid / Sans-serif type / Asymmetry / Objective photography
Best used forExtending consistent hierarchy across pages and media · Making design decisions reproducible by a teamMaking complex information fast to read · Giving an organization rationality and transparency
TypeOne family, developed through weight, width and sizeNeutral sans-serif; be bold with size contrast
CompositionA 4–8px base unit and three to six type steps12-column grid, left-aligned, asymmetric
MaterialFix the rules of size, leading and margin before colorWhite space and objective photographs; almost no ornament
CautionRule-keeping is not the goal. Leave room for the content's exceptions.Too much tidiness turns anonymous. Keep one strong jump in scale.

Put these two together

Type Classification ／ Functionalism

IndexStyle