Have you heard of ‘Designer’s Typography Journey’?
As designers, we all know that 95% of the internet is typography. The right font can convey your product’s message effortlessly, turning a simple interface into a captivating story.
Take a cue from Apple, whose unique typefaces — San Francisco (SF) and New York (NY) — make them stand out.
As they say, “Your typographic choices can help you display legible text, convey an information hierarchy, communicate important content, and express your brand or style.”
Some rules have revolutionized my designs.
These guidelines have been my compass, and I’ve seen remarkable changes in my work by following them. Trust me, even if you’re not a rule follower, these are worth bending for.
1. Two Typeface Max
Ever seen a design that feels like it’s yelling at you? That’s probably because it’s using too many typefaces. Stick to two. Make sure the character widths and weights complement each other.
2. Limit Line Width
Lines that are too wide make the eyes work harder. Keep your line lengths manageable so your readers can sprint through your content effortlessly.
3. Choose Readability
Your typefaces need to be readable at all sizes, on all screens. Remember, your audience could be viewing your design on a tiny phone screen or a giant monitor. Make sure they’re not squinting or zooming in just to understand your message.
4. Choose Legibility
Every letterform should be clearly distinguishable. If your ‘I’ looks like a ‘1’ or your ‘l’ looks like a capital ‘I’, it’s time to reconsider your font. Think of it as making sure every member of your typeface team has their own unique role and identity.
5. Use Space Between Paragraphs
Give your paragraphs some breathing room. A visual break between them gives the eye a place to rest, speeding up comprehension. It’s like a coffee break for your brain.
6. Align Text Elements Using Baseline
Multiple text elements on a screen should share points of common alignment. Even if they’re unrelated, alignment keeps the layout ordered and easy to scan.
7. Use Styles to Differentiate Content
Choose a typeface with at least three styles: regular, italic, and bold. Use these styles to differentiate content.
My Typography Journey
Applying these rules has revolutionized my designs. I’m currently experimenting with a single typeface website, where only one typeface is used without any complementary fonts.
To create variation, I’m playing with font weight and size, remember the rule 7. Stay tuned — I’ll share my experiences in my next blog.
And hey, if you enjoyed this, check out my blog on Bento boxes. They’re not just delicious; they’re a great metaphor for compartmentalizing your design elements.
And my final thoughts
Great typography is more than just choosing a pretty font. It’s about creating a narrative, guiding the reader’s eye, and ensuring your message is clear and engaging.
So, give these rules a try. You might just find that your designs not only look better but tell a better story too.
And remember — sometimes, rules are meant to be followed!
