One fallacy in marketing and communication that has definitely been relegated to the past is that content is much more important than aesthetics. Current consumer practices show that this could not be further from the truth, as many people come to value the manner in which a message is presented almost as much as the message itself.
After all, a truth, poorly expressed, is a lie. Whether this expression is in the clarity of the words used or in the design of its presentation, one thing is certain: design and delivery matter.
One crucial consideration in graphic design is fonts. What fonts should I choose? How big should the text be? In this article, we will go over these questions and more so that you can make better decisions about the design surrounding your messaging.
The Four Font Families
There are four major font families, and they are characterized as follows:
- Serif. Serif fonts include older styles, such as Times New Roman and Baskerville. They are characterized by the little tails at the end of each letter, with the belief that these little tails actually increase readability. They are often used to give a sense of formality to the body of the text.
- Sans serif. Sans serif fonts are known for their straight lines. Verdana and Helvetica are some examples of these fonts. These days, they are growing in popularity because they are versatile and positively received. They are also regularly used as titles and headlines because of their boldness.
- Script. Script fonts look like natural handwriting. Some of the most popular examples are Snell Roundhand and Brush. These are normally used for more creative businesses and establishments, such as coffee shops and bakeries, as they bring a sense of the familiar and casual.
- Display. Display fonts include all those highly decorative fonts you see, and they are used very sparingly unless appropriate. Wingdings is a special example of display fonts. Other fonts of this family have seen use in horror movies and science fiction.
How to Choose a Font
Every graphic design project relies on a certain tone or mood, so the fonts and typefaces you choose should match the mood you’re trying to achieve. As such, horror fonts like Chiller wouldn’t really fit the promotions of a medical blog, but they might be appropriate for the promotions of a horror podcast.
Make sure to examine a font on its own and against the rest of your materials to make sure it’s an appropriate fit. If you are still not sure, show it to someone else and get their opinion.
Now, depending on how you intend to deliver your message, try to look at it from different angles. If it’s meant to be used for a billboard or poster, try looking at it from a distance. Does it look too bland? Is it difficult to read? Does it stand out too much?
The right font will give you satisfactory answers to all of these questions and deliver your message with ease.
Final thoughts
Whatever message you hope to deliver, and whatever industry your business is operating in, it is critical to employ good design techniques in all of your promotions and related materials. Choosing the right fonts, sizing them correctly, and positioning them well are all elements of good graphic design practices.
If you’re looking for a graphic design partner for your business so you wouldn’t have to worry about fonts at all, send us at Optamark a message. We have the expertise and experience needed to help deliver your message accurately and beautifully.
