Typography

Text can have a number of different purposes in a design. It can be used for pure graphic appeal, a case in which readability may be less important than aesthetics. An example of the graphical use of text is in titles, logos and trademarks.

There are many kinds of decorative typefaces that one would be a poor choice to use to print the main body of an article.. This is because a purely decorative typeface tends to be distracting to the content of the message and will tire the reader's eyes when used in large portions. Our eyes are most comfortable reading less distinctive typefaces.

Decorative typefaces are better suited for display type (greater than 14 points), while simpler type is better used for text (less than 14 points). To maintain readability in large blocks of text —such as in an article— stay consistent, and use only one family.

Text may also be used for communication of information rather than for visual effect, in which case, legibility is always the priority of the designer. A few examples of usage of text for linguistic communication are: the body text of an article or book, the text of a restaurant menu, or in product descriptions in a catalog.

A typeface may be used either successfully or poorly, depending on its degree of relevance in the project and the skill of the designer. The designer must pay careful attention to letter, word, and line spacing as well as the size of the typeface and its stylistic contribution to the overall aesthetic feel of the project. They must optimize the properties of the text for its purpose in the overall design (aesthetic or communicative) and maintain legibility where it is necessary. The designer is also expected to add visual variety with formatting and layout, as well as possible typeface changes where applicable.

Check out this short video on choosing display typography:

Try This:

While no one but you may see this hands on exercise, take the time to do it just as if you were turning it in for a grade. It will help reinforce what you have learned.

1. Turn your name into a stylized graffitti tag. The reader should be able to see your name but it may take a little time to make it. Remember, designing for an aethetic is about how the collection of letters works together as a whole and not about simply communicating information.