Introduction to Typography

Typography is everywhere: in books, websites, street signs, bumper stickers, and product packaging.

• Typography: Style or appearance of text; the art of working with text.
• Important for creating documents or projects for work, school, or personal use.

Common Types of Fonts

1. Serif Fonts

   • Have little strokes called serifs attached to the main part of the letter.
   • Classic look, suitable for traditional projects.
   • Common in print publications like magazines and newspapers.

2. Sans Serif Fonts

   • Do not have serifs; simpler appearance.
   • Considered clean and modern.
   • Easier to read on screens (computers, smartphones, tablets).

3. Display Fonts

   • Come in various styles (script, blackletter, all-caps, fancy).
   • Decorative, best for small amounts of text (titles, headers, graphic-heavy designs).

Choosing the Right Font

• Fonts communicate beyond words; they convey mood and tone.
• Consider the message you want to deliver and pick a font that fits.
• Avoid overused or outdated fonts with a reputation (e.g., Comic Sans, Curlz, Papyrus).
• There are alternative fonts with similar looks that are less likely to detract from your message.
• Use a maximum of one or two fonts per project for consistency.
• Create contrast by varying size, weight, or style within the same font.

Combining Fonts

• Mix different but complementary styles (e.g., sans serif with serif, short with tall, decorative with simple).
• Look for inspiration in other designs and practice to improve.

Key Typography Concepts

1. Hierarchy

   • Guides the reader’s eye, showing important elements first.
   • Establish hierarchy by making important items larger, bolder, or different in some way.

2. Leading (Line Spacing)

   • Space between lines of text.
   • Default settings usually suffice; aim for comfortable readability.

3. Tracking (Character Spacing)

   • Overall space between characters.
   • Can be adjusted for artistic effects or to fix poorly spaced fonts.

4. Kerning

   • Space between specific characters.
   • Varies over the course of a word; bad kerning can make text difficult to read.
   • Choose fonts with good kerning to ensure readability.

Conclusion

• Good typography can elevate a project from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Interest in typography will help you notice and apply better design principles.
• Check out additional design topics like color, images, and composition for a well-rounded skill set.