The ultimate guide to learn the basic of typography.

Learn The Basics Of Typography

Let’s discuss basics of typography. At its most basic, typography is the art of arranging type. It’s a required skill and knowledge for designers and is much more than just having words looking legible.

It’s the brick and mortar of design, used to create and shape the content on a page. And, It’s long been used by print workers and is now vital to all types of internet commerce.

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It helps the words on a page form a body and even enables understanding by those reading the work. It can include examining pixels that make up a period for the best results and may dictate how a block of text will appear on the page. It’s more than experimenting with fonts or typefaces.

It’s about using typefaces and other available resources to create something sensible and robust that will help the reader make decisions. Think about how a writer uses his knowledge of words and grammar to help share his knowledge in a new and creative way.

Basics Of Typography
Image source: 3oneseven

It’s more than just knowledge of typefaces and fonts. A good designer must apply his creative minds to find the perfect way to display information. The choices made by a designer should also include layout and color schemes. Done correctly it can turn a good page into a great page that draws and keeps the users’ attention.

It’s not possible to become skilled in typography unless you have an understanding of basics of typography design. The designer must fully understand what they are doing if they feel the need to break the rules. You can get an understanding of the art by visiting typography tutorials. It’s a good idea to visit Resource pages to learn about font families. You can even follow Twitter accounts to see the latest trends.

Typography Fundamentals: Difference Between Typeface and Fonts?

What's The Difference Between Typeface and Fonts?

Let’s start by defining a typeface. Simply it’s a set of one or more fonts that each share a common design family. It’s sometimes called a font family. But just what is a font? A font is a way an individual design is displayed.

In the days of Johann Gutenberg, letter designs were used to make molds from which metal type casts were made. Today the word font refers to software that allows the designer to install and display the design on the digital page.

Every typeface refers to a given family of fonts. An example is the standard Serif typeface that includes several different fonts. The best-known of which is probably the Times New Roman, much beloved by University Professors. Some people will use the words typeface and font interchangeably. When speaking it may be necessary to clarify what is meant since technically the words mean different things.

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What Are the Advantages of Choosing A Professional Font?

What Are the Advantages of Choosing A Professional Font?
Image source: Rene Bieder

Despite a large number of free fonts, you should remember that you don’t need all the free fonts the internet can offer.

Think of Leonardo DaVinci. As an artist, he used a limited amount of colors despite an infinite number of colors available. His work did not suffer due to his use of just a few colors. The same is true of designers in the digital world. Too many fonts just make for a messy, unpleasing display.

One option available to designers is the chance to buy typefaces from professionals. The buyer gets certain advantages such as the talent and experience of the font designer.

Some of the benefits include the availability of various weights and styles needed to form a complete family. Many also offer support for different languages by providing international characters, as well as greater variety.

Another advantage involves kerning pairs. Kerning is the adjustment of space between pairs of letters to make them visually appealing. A kerning pair is already adjusted.

Kerning

Kerning is a great advantage because the designer does not have to change the spaces manually. Kerning pairs are most often of concern in headlines and subtitles. Even if you have to pay for these fonts, they can save you in both cost and time.

What Is the Difference Between Serif and Sans Serif?

Difference Between Serif and Sans Serif - basics of typography

As per the basics of typography, the Serif family shows little flourishes and small blobs at the end of letters that can be seen in the above example. If we take away those flourishes, you get a sans serif font such as is used in the body of this article.

Check out: Serif Vs Sans Serif

Sans Serif Fonts:

Helvetica

Helvetica - basics of typography

Moon

Moon - basics of typography

Serif Fonts:

Jura

Jura- basics of typography

Atletico

Atletico

It’s interesting to note that the serif font is believed to be ancient. It’s thought to have been developed by the ancient Romans. And, It’s used mainly for the body of a text as it tends to guide the eye horizontally across a body of work making it easier for the reader to follow the text.

Commonly used in headlines and subtitles, Sans Serif makes words stand out and catches the reader’s eye. A lot of websites use this combination with headlines being done in Sans Serif and the body written in Serif.

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The Importance of Alignment and Proximity

The Importance of Alignment and Proximity

According to the basics of typography, alignment refers to how the text is to be displayed. Usually, this is done left to right. It also how each block of text will line up with others. Alignment is usually done employing a grid. The grid is a set of vertical and horizontal lines that are used to strengthen the structure of a web page.

Proximity helps keep related elements closer with enough white space between them to make it easier to read. For example, this article would be quite daunting as a solid block of text but the white spaces between paragraphs significantly improve its readability.

Check out: Fully Editable Typography Presets with Fonts Included

What About Hierarchy and Scale?

Hierarchy and Scale
Image source: fonts.com

Scale becomes important in that it helps to create a readable hierarchy. Designers often use size to emphasize the importance of elements within a body of work.

For example, headlines are often considerably larger that the text of the work while subheadings are smaller than headlines but larger that the text of the main body while the text is the smallest of the three. However, you can create a hierarchy using color, layouts, and spacing, as well as by adjusting text size.nOccasionally, you can use more than one element.

Importance Of Typography

Why is Typography Important?
Image source: Scott Prather

It’s important because:

  • The text of a design immediately draws people’s eyes. You can find the information you want in terms of text.
  • Anything that can catch the eye is usually good as long as it’s readable.Flashy isn’t as good as catchy. It may catch the eye, but many readers actively dislike flashy. They equate it with scams or non-professional work. So your goal is catchy without flash.
  • On average 90% of a design is typography. Mastering typography will increase any designers success.
  • It’s Needs To Reach Readers. You must reach readers if you are to have any success. Readers can also be picky. They want what they like, and they want it now. A mixture of typography and graphics can satisfy your readers, drawing them in and keeping them engaged if done right.

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Basics of Typography – Don’t Stop Learning

Today, the demand is high for designers and individuals who can proficiently work with typography. Taking the time to learn typography can help you earn the money you desire while satisfying the needs of others. The field will continue to grow and you should be a part of it.

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