Beginning Graphic Design: Typography

Summary

Typography is an essential element of design present in everyday life, from books to street signs. This video introduces typography as both a style of text and an art form, explaining the importance of font selection in creating documents and projects. It covers the main types of fonts like serif and sans-serif, their uses, and the reputational baggage some fonts carry. The video also provides tips for combining fonts, discusses advanced concepts like kerning and leading, and underscores the significance of hierarchy in design—helping you transform ordinary projects into extraordinary ones with typography.

Highlights

• Discover the world of typography where text comes to life in books, signs, and screens! 🪄
• From serif to sans-serif, each font style brings its own flavor to your project. 🍕
• Avoid fonts with "baggage" to ensure your message is clear and tasteful.
• Explore font hierarchy to direct readers’ attention effortlessly. 🎯
• Mastering kerning and leading is key to professional-looking designs! 💅
• Venture into combining fonts creatively for standout graphics. Bold meets basic!
• Use typography to transform ordinary projects into extraordinary ones. 🚀

Key Takeaways

• Typography is all around us, influencing the look and feel of text everywhere from street signs to websites.
• Serif and sans-serif fonts serve different purposes—learn when to use which to make your documents shine!
• #FontChoicesMatter! Some fonts have reputations. Comic Sans, anyone? 👀
• Less is more: stick to one or two fonts per project for sleek design.
• Kerning, leading, and tracking can make or break your text design. #DesignSkills
• Typography hierarchy helps guide your reader’s eye through your content effectively.
• Mastering font combinations can take your design game to the next level! 🎨

Overview

Typography is the silent powerhouse of design, subtly steering the viewer’s eye and emotion across pages, screens, and physical products. It’s not just about choosing a font; it’s about conveying the right message and emotional tone through that font. This tutorial lays out the foundational knowledge needed to make your text-based projects pop and communicate effectively.

Serif, sans-serif, and display fonts are just the beginning of typography’s vast universe. Each category holds its own historical context and functionality. Serif graces the traditional, sans-serif strikes with modernity, while display fonts add the razzle-dazzle for specific focal points. This video is your guide to choosing appropriately and creatively.

Beyond basic font selection, the world of typography unfolds into advanced topics like kerning, leading, and hierarchy. These elements are critical in refining the readability and aesthetic balance of your designs. By grasping these concepts, even budding designers can transform average layouts into magnificent spreads, offering readers a guided path through their information.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Typography Chapter Title: Introduction to Typography. Typography is an omnipresent element in our visual environment, appearing in literature, websites, street signage, bumper stickers, and packaging. Essentially, typography refers to the style or appearance of text as well as the art of manipulating it. This skill is crucial for those who create documents or projects in various aspects of life, be it professional or personal.
• 00:30 - 01:30: Understanding Serif and Sans Serif Fonts Typography can seem complex, but a basic understanding can make a significant impact on everyday tasks.
• 01:30 - 02:30: Exploring Display Fonts and Font Language The chapter titled 'Exploring Display Fonts and Font Language' discusses the use of sans serif fonts in print publications such as magazines and newspapers. The text highlights that sans serif fonts, which lack the extra stroke found in serif fonts, are viewed as clean and modern. Furthermore, sans serif fonts are noted for their readability on digital devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets.
• 02:30 - 03:30: Choosing the Right Font The chapter 'Choosing the Right Font' discusses different styles of display fonts, such as script, blackletter, all-caps, and fancy types. Given their decorative nature, these fonts are ideal for small text segments like titles and headers, as well as designs that heavily integrate graphics. The chapter underscores the idea that fonts convey their unique language, adding a layer of meaning beyond the mere words presented.
• 03:30 - 04:30: Combining Fonts Chapter Title: Combining Fonts The chapter emphasizes the importance of choosing a font that aligns with the intended message. Different fonts carry unique connotations, ranging from casual and neutral to exotic and graphic. The chapter advises careful consideration when selecting fonts, particularly avoiding those like Comic Sans, Curlz, and Papyrus due to their reputations for being outdated and overused. It encourages readers to think twice before using such fonts and suggests exploring alternative options that better suit their communication goals.
• 04:30 - 05:30: Introduction to Typography Concepts The chapter emphasizes the importance of font selection in typography, highlighting that using fewer fonts can enhance the clarity of the message. It suggests limiting the choice to one or two fonts per project and using variations in size, weight, or style of the same font to add contrast. This approach leads to effective and visually appealing typography designs.
• 05:30 - 06:30: Understanding Hierarchy in Design The chapter explores the concept of hierarchy in design, particularly in the use of fonts. It encourages combining different but complementary font styles, such as sans serif with serif, short with tall, or decorative with simple. Though it may seem challenging initially, seeking inspiration from other designs can aid in mastering this skill.
• 06:30 - 07:30: Leading and Line Spacing The chapter titled 'Leading and Line Spacing' introduces key design concepts such as kerning, leading, tracking, and hierarchy. It is highlighted that while these concepts are crucial for experienced designers aiming to create professional designs, beginners only need to have a basic understanding. The chapter emphasizes the importance of hierarchy in directing the reader's attention to the most important elements of the design.
• 07:30 - 08:30: Tracking and Kerning The chapter titled 'Tracking and Kerning' discusses the principles of establishing visual hierarchy in design. It emphasizes the importance of directing the reader's attention by deciding which elements should be noticed first and ensuring these elements stand out. The chapter advises using larger, bolder, or distinct styles for high-priority items and suggests maintaining simplicity by using a limited number of complementary styles.
• 08:30 - 09:30: The Importance of Well-crafted Text This chapter discusses the importance of text formatting elements such as leading (line spacing) and tracking (character spacing). It emphasizes that while the default settings are generally sufficient, the primary aim should be to ensure the text is comfortable to read. Adjustments to line and character spacing should avoid making the text unpleasant for the reader, maintaining an optimal balance to enhance readability.
• 09:30 - 10:30: Conclusion and Further Learning The chapter focuses on the concepts of tracking and kerning in design, emphasizing their importance in adjusting and enhancing the spacing of letters within a text. Tracking allows the user to evenly space letters over a range, which can be modified for artistic purposes or to correct initial font spacing issues. Kerning, on the other hand, involves tweaking the spacing between specific character pairs, as each character pairs differently with its neighbors. The text notes that some fonts may have 'bad kerning,' where certain letter combinations are poorly spaced, and kerning adjustments are necessary to improve the visual appearance.

Beginning Graphic Design: Typography Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Typography. It's everywhere we look. In the books we read, on the websites we visit—even in everyday life, on street signs, bumper stickers, and product packaging. Simply put, typography is the style or appearance of text. It can also refer to the art of working with text—something you probably do all the time if you create documents or other projects for work, school, or yourself.
• 00:30 - 01:00 Typography can be an intimidating subject, but it doesn't have to be. You only need to know a little to make a big difference in the stuff you do every day. So let's get started. First: Some common types of fonts, and what you need to know about them. Serif fonts have little strokes called serifs attached to the main part of the letter. Because of their classic look, they're a good choice for more traditional projects.
• 01:00 - 01:30 They're also common in print publications, like magazines and newspapers. Sans serif fonts don't have that extra stroke—hence the name, which is French for "without serif." This style is considered more clean and modern than serif fonts. Also, it tends to be easier to read on computer screens, including smartphones and tablets.
• 01:30 - 02:00 Display fonts come in many different styles, like script, blackletter, all-caps, and just plain fancy. Because of their decorative nature, display fonts are best for small amounts of text; for example, titles and headers, and more graphic-heavy designs. In a way, fonts have their own language. They all have something to say, beyond the words on the page.
• 02:00 - 02:30 They can come across as casual or neutral; exotic or... graphic. That's why it's important to think about your message, and pick a font that fits. Some fonts come with a extra baggage, like Comic Sans, Curlz, Papyrus, and many more. There's nothing particularly wrong with these fonts—they just have a certain reputation for being outdated and overused. If you find yourself tempted by them, think twice and consider using something else.
• 02:30 - 03:00 There are many fonts with a similar look and feel that are less likely to detract from your message. When deciding which fonts to use, less is more. It's best to limit yourself to one or two per project. If you need more contrast, try repeating one of your fonts in a different size, weight, or style. This trick is practically foolproof for creating interesting combinations that work.
• 03:00 - 03:30 You've probably heard the saying "opposites attract." Well, the same is true for fonts. Don't be afraid to combine font styles that are different but complementary, like sans serif with serif... short with tall... or decorative with simple. This can be challenging at first, but don't despair. Look to other designs for inspiration, and soon you'll get the hang of it.
• 03:30 - 04:00 Maybe you've heard terms like kerning, leading, tracking, and hierarchy. For those with more experience, these concepts are essential for creating professional-looking designs. As a beginner, you don't need to know everything about these terms—just enough to inform your work and help you talk about design with more confidence. Hierarchy is used to guide the reader's eye to whatever is most important.
• 04:00 - 04:30 In other words, it shows them where to begin and where to go next, using different levels of emphasis. Establishing hierarchy is simple: just decide which elements you want the reader to notice first, then make them stand out. High-level items are usually larger, bolder, or different in some way. Remember to keep it simple and stick to just a few complementary styles.
• 04:30 - 05:00 Leading is the space between lines of text, also known as line spacing. If you're not sure how much line spacing to use, don't fret—the default is usually fine. The goal is to make your text as comfortable to read as possible. Too much or too little spacing can make it unpleasant for the reader. Tracking is the overall space between characters, sometimes called character spacing.
• 05:00 - 05:30 Most programs let you condense or expand this depending on your needs. In some designs, you might adjust your tracking to create a certain artistic effect. It can also help you fix fonts that are poorly spaced to begin with. Kerning is the space between specific characters. Unlike tracking, it varies over the course of the word, because each letter fits together differently. Some fonts have what we call "bad kerning," making certain letters look improperly spaced.
• 05:30 - 06:00 If a font you're using has bad kerning, it's best to cut your losses and choose something else. Well-crafted text can mean the difference between an ordinary project... and an extraordinary project—even if you're just getting started with design. All it takes is an interest in typography, and you'll start to notice more, see more, and be able to do more in your own work.
• 06:00 - 06:30 We hope you enjoyed learning the basics of typography. Don't forget to check out the rest of our design topics, including color, images, and composition.