Top Tips for Typography and the Art of Words
Hey Peach fans! A subject we’ve touched on ever-so-lightly before is typography and brand. The headlines and logo first encountered by your visitors are key to how they respond to you. So today we’re going to delve into the world of typography and what’s currently setting the landscape of lettering on fire. Let’s start with some interesting facts.
Typography isn’t font.
Typography is the art of arranging letters with the purpose of making the message more visible. From the Greek ‘typos’ (form) and ‘graphe’ (writing), typography takes into account typeface, font, colour, design and placement.
95% of web design is typography. (So they say)
Successful websites are navigated quickly and intuitively, right? When designers master the art of typography the readability and therefore interface between user and site is enhanced and positively shapes the user’s journey and experience.
Serif and Sans Serif.
Check this lovely little tidbit. A serif is the finishing stroke of a letter – found in the overly-familiar Times New Roman font for example. Sans serif is without serif (it’s French innit), think everyone’s old fave Helvetica. Sans serif is historically easier to read online but with the advancement of responsive technologies (and as long as you get your sizing and colour palette right), we say fill your boots with anything you fancy. Speaking of which….
What’s hot in the world of Typography huh?
Being the cool, young, trend-chasing dudes that we are, we’ve selected our top three vibes in the world of typography. Stay ahead of the game people!
1. Variable Fonts We love the responsive design typography tool, launched at the tail end of last year by Apple, Microsoft, Adobe and Google. Imagine a font that adapts to your device and platform – a single font that behaves as multiple fonts. Variable fonts and flexibility of this sort within design will become the norm as we increasingly access information from variable platforms (phones, tablets, watches etc).
2. Combining styles Combining different fonts in one space is on the up – but it’s ground that should be treaded carefully. Similar tones of font will compliment each other but it’s also true that opposites attract (helpful!). Ultimately a good designer gauges the atmosphere of the brand and chooses powerful blends to great effect. This blog and its accompanying infographics beautifully demonstrates classic pairings for ultimate visual success.
3. Superior Scrawl If you’re into hygge, lagom, or seasonal living, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the handwritten font. With the move from corporate to local and mass-produced to organic, the mindset of ‘good consumers’ has shifted from hard, brash and ‘markety’ to something softer and more home-made. Typography has followed suit and you can find this characterful, seemingly effortless, script-style lettering at every turn.
Remember!
- Typography is something that draws your readers in, it’s another visual element representing your brand and reinforcing your message so, above all, make sure all the elements of your lettering reflect who you are as a business.
- Responsive is key – check that whichever typography you’ve gone with works on all devices.
- No comic sans. Ever.
Need a bit of help with the old words ‘n’ pictures online? Speak to our dapper designers about a site that reflects every inch who you are.