Know Your Typefaces
Imagine you’re in a grocery store, and as you walk down the aisle all the packaging along the shelves is blank with no words, no colors, no health facts, and not even a price tag. (Good luck buying your pot roast for that dinner.) People don’t often realize that without typefaces or Graphic Design, the world would be pretty bland. That is why today, I’d like to talk about how to recognize different classifications of typefaces, and how you can utilize them correctly to make a good impression!
1. Serif Typefaces
The great grandfather of the typeface family is blackletter, but we’re going to talk about the mother of typefaces: the Serif Typeface. This group is a classic, and some examples range from your old MLA favorite Times New Roman to more “fancy” ones like Bodoni, or even one of the oldest serif typefaces Trajan. A ‘serif’ of course is what defines a serif typeface. Serifs are what I like to call the “hats and boots” that dress up a typeface. Just look at those letters down there all dressed up… well, minus the serif letter e, I guess she didn’t get the memo. In the past, serif typefaces were used a lot in print, and that remains true to this day. In modern times the uses are very broad: Whether you’re designing a wedding invite, a travel article, or a website for your high-end furniture, you name it — a serif typeface is an easy way to add some class or formality to something with ease.
2. Sans Serif Typefaces
Next up is the serif typefaces angsty child, the Sans Serif. This typeface classification is essentially the teenager of the typeface families. It basically said, “I don’t want to wear frilly hats and boots mom, I’m going to be edgy and minimalistic.” And so it was, throughout the last two centuries or so, sans serif typefaces became one of the more modern classifications. Some examples of sans serif typefaces are the iconic Helvetica or a bold statement like Impact, but one of my current favorites is Din Condensed. The cool thing about typefaces is they’re a lot like people; they come in all different shapes and sizes with unique personalities! Even today, if you’re designing a poster, a social media post, or maybe a manifesto: sans serif typefaces are a clean and simple way to embody a minimalistic and modern style.
3. Slab Serif Typefaces
Slab Serif Typefaces are the cousin typefaces to Serif and Sans Serif. You see them a lot more than you think, but it can be hard to distinguish or even know they are a sub-category. They have serifs that are very blocky or rounded and can act almost as a middle ground if you don’t want it to be as modern as a sans serif typeface, but not as formal as a serif typeface. As Hannah Montana once said, “It’s the best of both worlds.” (I can’t believe I used that comparison but we’re moving on.) Some examples include Museo or Rockwell, or a more rounded one like Los Feliz. The cool thing about slab serif typefaces is you can pair them with their counterparts as a secondary typeface and you usually can’t go wrong. I always say, when in doubt get the Slab Serifs out!
4. Script Typefaces
Script typefaces are the ‘Wine Aunt’ of the typeface world. When script typefaces are on the scene, they almost always steal the show with their elegant flowy nature, and pretty much everyone you know loves them. They’re essentially cursive typefaces, sometimes attached and sometimes not depending on if it’s more formal or casual. When you scroll on Pinterest and see those motivational quotes or that wall art in your parent's kitchen that says “live laugh love” you’ll notice it’s almost always a script typeface that is used. Some script examples are Cortado, Lobster, or even something fancy like Metroscript. One thing you should note: script typefaces add a lot of character, so use them in moderation! But if you’re looking for something to give you a cute, handcrafted, or elegant vibe, a script typeface will work wonders.
5. Decorative Typefaces
There are several other classifications of typefaces we won’t be discussing today, like Mono Typefaces or Handwritten typefaces. Instead, we’re finishing with the typefaces rambunctious family pet… Decorative Typefaces. This one is a wildcard because they’re basically designed with a style in mind. When it comes to these guys there really are no rules they follow style-wise. From 1800s-esque typefaces like Manicotti to groovy ones like Blenny, this typeface group has it all. My personal favorite is Hobeaux Rococeaux which is literally a typeface that looks like some sort of plant. Seriously, how wild is that? These guys pack a ton of personality, so it’s probably best if you don’t use them as body text for a 12-page research paper, or so help your poor teacher. But, if you’re ever stumped and can’t seem to find the right typeface for a title, logo, or anything in between — decorative typefaces may just have the perfect niche thing you’re looking for.
Thanks for taking some time to learn about some of the typeface classifications with me, Now spread your Graphic Design wings and fly with your new-found knowledge!
