The use of Z layouts are the ideas on how your eye moves around a page. 

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In general studies, the eye has been shown to move in a ‘Z’ like pattern on a page.  The eye starts in the upper left corner, moving across the screen, down to the bottom left, and scanning right again.  Knowing this can help you know where to put items on the page so that your attention is drawn to items by your natural reaction to read the page in a Z format. ("A Graphic Design Primer, Part III: Basics of Composition.")

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In addition to the Z format, there is also F format layouts.  F format layouts are typically used in web design.  Your eye scans the top line of the site first, and then slowly makes the way down the rest page.  Alignment can also pay a good part in your layout.  Aligning headlines to the left with images on the right can give your design an F format design. ("A Graphic Design Primer, Part III: Basics of Composition.")

Z Layouts