Typography influences how readers interact with and interpret information. From font choice to spacing, typography can impact readability, aesthetics, and overall user experience.
In this blog post, we’ll explore best practices for typography in content design and how it can enhance the effectiveness of your communication.
1. Choosing the right font
Font choice is perhaps the most fundamental aspect of typography. When selecting a font, consider:
- legibility
- appropriateness
- personality.
Legibility is how easily the font can be read. Just have a look at the font styles available in Word and you’ll see which ones are easier to read.
Appropriateness refers to how well the font fits the context of the content. If you’re writing serious content a font like chalkduster does not convey the same level of seriousness that a font like arial does.
Personality refers to the visual impression conveyed by the font. For example, if you’re creating a formal document like a legal brief or a financial report, you might choose a serif font like Times New Roman or Garamond. On the other hand, if you’re designing a website for a hip coffee shop, you might choose a sans-serif font like Helvetica or Futura.
2. Font size and spacing
The size of your font and the spacing between lines can have a significant impact on readability. You want to ensure that the font size is big enough to be legible, but not so big that it’s overwhelming.
Similarly, spacing between lines can affect readability. Too little space can make it difficult to distinguish between lines, while too much space can make the text look sparse.
A good rule of thumb is to set the line spacing to around 1.5 times the font size. So, if you’re using a 12pt font, you might set the line spacing to 18pt.
3. Colour contrast
The text colour and the background colour should provide enough contrast to make the text easy to read. If there isn’t enough contrast, it can be difficult to distinguish between the letters, especially for people with visual impairments.
A high contrast between the text colour and the background colour also helps to reduce eye strain and fatigue. Such as dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background.
4. Use hierarchy to guide users
Hierarchy is the visual arrangement of different elements on the page. It helps guide users through the content, allowing them to easily navigate through the information.
Typographical hierarchy involves using different font sizes, weights, and styles to create a visual hierarchy. For example, you might use a larger font size for headings and subheadings, and a smaller font size for body text. You might also use bold or italicised fonts for emphasis.
5. Consistency is key
Consistency is key to creating a cohesive design that’s easy-to-read and understand. Using consistent typography throughout your content helps to create a sense of unity and coherence.
When designing a digital product, it’s important to establish a set of typographic rules that govern the use of:
- fonts
- sizes
- colours
- spacing.
These rules should be followed consistently throughout the content.
6. Use white space
White space, or negative space, is the space between elements on the page. It’s often overlooked, but it can be a powerful tool for creating visual interest and improving readability.
By adding more white space between lines of text or around images, you can create a more open and inviting layout. This can make the content feel less cluttered and more organised, making it easier for readers to navigate.
7. Test and refine
Finally, it’s important to test and refine your typography choices. Before finalising your design, take the time to review it with a critical eye. Ask yourself:
- Is the text easy to read?
- Does the hierarchy make sense?
- Is there enough contrast between the text and the background?
Remember that when making typographical decisions that they adhere to accessibility rules.
