Grid Pad No. 1 is a gum-bound pad of 96 tear-off cards printed across six geometric grid systems — a practical tool for designers, architects, and anyone who thinks best with structure beneath their hand.
About This Book
Born from a simple frustration — the lack of notepads featuring multiple grid types in one place — Grid Pad No. 1 was developed by Formist founder Mark Gowing as a personal working tool before being shared more widely. Each of its 96 cards is printed on 250gsm uncoated board across six distinct geometric grids, making it equally suited to technical geometry, isometric drawing, pattern-making, or loose ideation. At 110 × 157 mm it sits comfortably on a desk or in a bag, and the gum binding allows clean card removal. A considered object for designers who still work by hand.
Key Features
- 96 tear-off cards across 6 different geometric grid systems
- Conceived and produced by Formist founder Mark Gowing
- 250gsm uncoated board, gum bound for easy card removal
- Published by Formist
What You'll Discover
- Six geometric grid configurations that support different modes of visual thinking — from orthographic and isometric to pattern-based layouts
- A format scaled for both desk use and portability at 110 × 157 mm, with card stock substantial enough for pen, pencil, or paint
- The utility of grid systems as a creative scaffold rather than a constraint — structure that enables rather than limits
- A practical case for analogue tools in design practice, where the physical act of drawing remains irreplaceable in the early stages of ideation
About the Author
Grid Pad No. 1 was conceived by Mark Gowing, founder of Formist. Gowing developed the pad through his own design practice, where grid systems form a central part of his working process. [Details available upon request]
Specifications
- Format: Hardcover
- Pages: 96 cards
- Dimensions: 110 × 157 mm
- Language: English
- ISBN: [Details available upon request]
- Publisher: Formist
- Publication Date: [Details available upon request]
Perfect For: Architects, graphic designers, and students who work through ideas by hand and want a structured, high-quality drawing tool for sketching, geometry, and visual experimentation.