Does The Grid Fit?

I found all of this talk about "the grid" very intriguing. Never had I really thought about the scientific and mathematical processes web designers go through in order to create a page that is both visually appeal as well as functionally sound to the viewers.

“ The grid system is an aid, not a guarantee.
It permits a number of possible uses and each
designer can look for a solution appropriate to his
personal style. But one must learn how to use the
grid; it is an art that requires practice. ”
Josef Müller-Brockmann

I understand that the 960 grid system is one of the most popular layout aids in web design because of its "golden-ratios," but I almost feel like these preset grids, lines, and columns could limited ones creativity. This tightly compact style also, in my opinion, makes the text on a page slightly harder to read. The 960 grid lacks both gutter space as well as content area. Computer screens as well as resolutions have gotten bigger, and it seems like the standard 960 system would not meet the needs of both designers and users. If we have larger screens, shouldn't we be using larger, more spacious grids to fill the "white space?"



This image shows displays the 960 grid style. Within the layout, each grid and column are clearly represented. The amount of content seems to be overbearing for the amount of space that is available.



This shows a web page using the 978 grid layout. The content is much more spaced than the usually preferred 960 style.


The grid will always be a tool used in both printed text and web design, but I think with the growth of technology, the actual grid itself with be slightly altered meet the needs of both the designers and users.