Its purpose was to unify the information graphics of the NPS into a consistent program that would be appropriate and functional for the informational needs of users at the 391 units of the NPS, of which 58 are designated national parks.

The "unigrid" is the central element of the program. It solves two primary problems in planning the information folders that are distributed at the entrance to each national park. First, it organizes the editorial and other visual components with a fixed format and graphic standards. Additionally it helps determine how a folder will be printed—the inks, paper, and the sheet size. From this basic grid, all print formats can be imposed on printing sheets with minimal waste. These graphic standards open the way for graphic improvements, the elimination of production inefficiencies, and the overall effectiveness of NPS publications.