Typography is an art that knows no boundaries! It’s a powerful tool that can enhance your design, create emotions, and convey your message clearly. Typography has a big impact on how people see your work, whether it’s a website, poster, brand identity, or a social media post.
Understanding typography isn’t about choosing the prettiest font – it’s about combining complementary typefaces to create a perfect balance. When done properly, it can improve readability, show personality, create a mood,
and provide an enjoyable experience. If you’ve ever had trouble with pairing fonts or wanted to make a design stand out, this blog is for you. To master the art of font pairing, consider these key tips:
Know Your Fonts
The first step is to recognize the differences between fonts and their characteristics. Not all fonts will fit into one category. Some may be a bold display font in cursive script, while others might be decorative and have serif strokes. There are many ways to categorize them, but to keep it simple, we’ll be using these 4 categories.
Serif
A serif font has little strokes at the end of the longer strokes. It was widely used with the development of the printing press. They are often used for body text in magazines, books, and newspapers because they are easier to read for long-term uses. They represent tradition, authority, professionalism, and formality. Popular serif fonts include Times New Roman, Merriweather, and Garamond.
Sans-Serif
Without the little strokes, they are considered a sans-serif font. Since they are simpler than serif fonts, they are more readable on screens, and are preferred by brands. They represent modernity, simplicity, and minimalism. Popular sans-serif fonts include Arial, Montserrat, and Helvetica.
Display
A display font is a bold type of font that is meant to grab your attention and stand out from the rest of the text.
This makes them ideal to be used in large-format designs, such as billboards and posters. They are most often used for headings and headlines in magazines, books, websites, etc. They add personality and style to your design,
and can vary in styles such as bold, decorative, modern, or elegant. Popular display fonts include Anton SC,
Archivo Black, and Abril Fatface.
Script
Similar to display fonts, script fonts are used in large-format settings and grab your attention. They replicate handwriting and calligraphy as if they were done with a pencil, pen brush, or marker. They represent elegance, creativity, sophistication, and add a personal touch to a design. Popular script fonts include Lobster, Pacifico,
and Amatic SC.
Legibility is Key
Focus on legibility above all else. Selecting readable fonts is crucial for effectively conveying your message.
No matter how beautiful a font is, if you can’t read it, then it fails its primary purpose. When choosing fonts to pair, think about what type of message it will be used in. For body copy, it’s best to go with a clean, minimal font,
and avoid overly decorated and condensed fonts. A simple font is easier to read, while condensed fonts can strain the reader’s eyes.
For titles and headings, you can be experimental with the font of your choice. However, make sure that it is legible across different sizes. You should test it on various sizes on different screens to see how well they adjust to different platforms. You should also pay attention to spacing (kerning, leading, and tracking) to improve the readability of your design.
Less is More
Keep it simple and elegant by using a maximum of two or three fonts in your design. Using too many fonts can make your design feel cluttered and might convey the wrong message. By limiting your fonts, you can create a cohesive look and have a clear visual hierarchy.
For example, use one font for headings that stands out from the other text. Then, use one font for body copy that is highly legible and makes reading easy on the eyes. For any callouts or quotes, you can use a third font to create emphasis. Having a simple combination of fonts can keep the design interesting without it being overwhelming.
Balance and Harmony
To create a visually appealing design, choose fonts that work well together, and aim for harmony in both style and weight. They should be able to complement each other without complicating the design. Fonts that are too similar will look monotonous and might not send the impact you intend on. On the other hand, contrasting fonts will fight for your attention, and are hard on the eyes.
A simple way to pair fonts is to use different font weights (light, regular, or bold) within the same font family.
This can create visual interest without looking for different fonts. You should also consider the theme for your purpose. A corporate report should use classic and professional fonts, while a wedding invitation may use an elegant script font. Before finalizing, always test your fonts with different sizes as well. The key is to find a pair that will complement rather than compete, which will help you achieve a balanced composition.
Trust Your Instincts
While there are no strict rules, trust your instincts and go with what feels right for your design. If a particular combination feels right and goes with your intended message, go with it! Experiment with different combinations until one feels right and break the rules if it aligns with your vision.
It can also be a good idea to get a second opinion from someone else. Sometimes another pair of eyes can spot issues you’ve missed and suggest improvements. If font pairings still confuse you or you’re still new to it,
you can use different websites to find a font pairing and get an idea of how to pair. You can try websites such
as fontpair.co and monotype.com, or look at different designs to create an idea of what you want.
Final Thoughts
Typography is an essential part of a design and knowing how to use them properly can be a game changer.
While it can be difficult to understand at first, once you understand type pairings, it can help enhance your designs to the next level. All you need is some dedication and lots of trial and error, but once you get it, you’re good to go!
Need help selecting the best typography for your brand? Visit us at www.sunrisecreative.ca for a
complimentary consultation!