ALL CAPS: To set or not to set? - Setting blocks of text in all caps generally poses a risk to readability. Here’s our case for avoiding CAPITAL OFFENSES.
Captions (Part 1 of 2) - Even when a picture is worth a thousand words, most of the time it’s likely to have a caption anyway. Not quite body text, not quite display text, captions require careful handling to guarantee the best results.
Captions Part 2 - The key to setting effective, legible captions is using the right tool for the right job: namely, caption fonts. These specially-designed fonts have been optimized for use at small sizes.
Change those defaults! - “Default lies not in our stars, but in our design applications” – okay, that’s not exactly what Shakespeare wrote. But knowing what your application’s defaults are – and how to change them – can save time and improve the quality of your work. Read on to learn which QuarkXPress® and InDesign® defaults to tweak, and which to leave alone.
Confusing (and Frequently Misused) Type Terminology, Part 1 - “We clarify the relationship and the differences between these frequently misused typographic “pairs”: font and typeface; character and glyph; legibility and readability.
Decorated Fonts - When your everyday sans and serifs won’t do, consider a decorated font. These highly specific, illustrative typefaces can help create exactly the mood you want your project to convey.
Designing For Seniors - When did all the type get so small? Like it or not, as we get older our eyes start to have design opinions of their own. Follow these guidelines for setting type that audiences of all ages will read with pleasure.
Didone Typefaces - The term Didone – a combination of Didot and Bodoni – aptly describes Neoclassical (or Modern) typefaces. First popular from the late 18th through the 19th centuries, they have inspired many contemporary interpretations. We showcase a sampling of seven well-designed options we find both useful and versatile.
E-mail Etiquette - Proper e-mail etiquette means a lot more than saying please and thank you. Follow these tips on everything from fonts to attachments, and you’ll be sure your message arrives intact and readable.
Festive Fonts - Fa la la fonts! Elegant, casual or calligraphic: one of these fine script fonts is sure to set the right tone for your holiday creations. ’Tis the season to create your own cards, invitations and personalized gifts with style.
Headlines - A powerfully designed headline can grab your readers’ attention and draw them in. Don’t squander these golden opportunities to communicate; instead, master the art of creating eye-catching, high-contrast headlines that refuse to be ignored.
Old Style Typefaces - A wide array of popular old style type families is available in digital form today. In addition to old style figures, many of them offer small caps, swashes and other distinctive characters. We present our selection of seven of the most useful and well-designed families.
Seasonal Fonts - Holiday cards, party invitations, one-of-a-kind gifts, thank-you notes – the holiday season provides countless opportunities to do personalized graphic projects. Seasonally-themed image fonts will help put you and your designs in a festive mood.
Scaling Logos - Typographic logo designs may require subtle modifications for different applications. It’s smart – and helpful – to work with your client early on to identify the range of sizes and media in which a logo will be used.
Scary Fonts - The Halloween season offers a spookily good excuse to explore the world of scary fonts, but the terror needn’t end there. From media packaging to promotional items, whenever horror, mystery, fear and suspense need to be evoked, scary fonts can sneak up behind your audience and say “boo!”
Slab Serifs - Slab serif typefaces, with their block-like appenditures, project solidity, style and confidence. We survey seven that are particularly well-designed, to help you select the best slab for the job.
Thinking Big - With today’s digital font technology, it’s easy to make small letters big and big letters small – but should you? In Part I of a two-part discussion of font sizing, learn when and when not to use text faces at display sizes, along with some tips for getting the most – and best – out of your fonts.
Thinking Small - Like Alice in Wonderland, type can be made to grow big or small depending on our whim. In Part II of a two-part article on font sizing, Ilene Strizver discusses when – and when not – to set display fonts at small sizes.
Type As Decoration - When you select type that’s going to be read, legibility is key. But when you use type as decoration, creativity wins the day. Designing non-typographic elements out of type used to be painstaking work. Thanks to today’s robust software, you can create original ornaments by having fun with fonts.
Type On A Curve - Sometimes you want your type to get straight to the point, but other times it’s nice to take a few turns along the way. Try these tips for for setting type along a curved baseline while keeping it readable and evenly spaced.
Type Terms: A Trio of (Slightly) Tricky Pairs -
We demystify the distinctions between three similar-yet-different typographic “pairs ”: italic and oblique; tabular and proportional figures; standard and discretionary ligatures.
Typesetting Mysteries, Part 1: Unexpected Line Breaks and Missing Fonts - Digital typesetting has revolutionized the way designers work. It’s quick, it’s convenient, it’s customizable. But occasionally, it throws a mysterious curve ball into your text.
Typesetting Mysteries, Part 2: Jumpy Line Spacing and Quirky Letterspacing - Digital typesetting has revolutionized the way designers work. It’s quick, convenient, and customizable – but occasionally, it’s mysteriously quirky. Fortunately, the fixes are super-straightforward.
Typographic Hierarchy - When you have a lot of information to communicate, don’t be afraid to play favorites. Learn how to use type to create a hierarchy of information – your readers will thank you for letting them know what’s most important.
Typography for Children - Setting type for children isn’t necessarily kid’s play. Making text inviting and accessible for new readers takes a little knowledge and a lot of common sense.
Typography for Signage - Signage must make its point as quickly as possible, whether it’s promoting a product, providing directions, or previewing a brand. Typography – the right faces used appropriately – holds the key to readability and memorability.
Underlining Text - Design software offers many options and controls for underlining, making it easy to add a visual cue or decorative element that enhances the design. Creative underlining can add tone to the text’s voice.
Valentine Fonts - Dust off the hearts and Cupids – Valentine’s Day approaches, and nothing says “I love you” like a custom-designed valentine. Rarely is a designer’s work met with such a warm and appreciative welcome, so make the most of it! Here’s a roundup of typefaces and image collections that will help Cupid’s arrow hit its target.