Topic#5 : Web Typography

Fonts and Typography in Web Design

When designing a Web page, we will most certainly use fonts. We need to understand both how fonts affect the design of the page, and how to affect the readers with fonts and typography. We the developers need to learn how fonts and typography can be used effectively in Web design.

I found the following resources :

1.   http://www.Yourfonts.com

YourFonts.com is a free service that allows you to create your own fonts. You can create a sample of your own handwriting in just a few minutes. The fonts you create are copyrighted by you and you can use them in any program you own or create custom banners for your websites.

2.   http://ilovetypography.com

I liked few points mentioned in this site :

a.   Contrast - Text exists to be read; make sure that it contrasts enough with the background to achieve that.

b.   Size – It should not be too small, so I am also making this page font size to Verdana 12. (even bigger is better).

c.   Hierarchy – May be by using different sizes of type to achieve it, but we can also use different styles; for example, all-caps, or using italic for sub-headings. Serif and sans serif faces can also be mixed to good effect.

d.   Space – Let your type breathe! Don’t be afraid to leave blank spaces in your pages. This negative or white space will help focus attention on the text—and it’s the text that speaks loudest, so let it be heard.

3.   http://fontsinuse.com

Fonts in use is a beautiful site that in its own words, aims to “catalog and examine real-world typography”. This site is great not only for the typography fans, but also for those who want to learn more about what makes for effective typography and effective uses of type.

4.   http://typophile.com

It is a typographic community that has been on the web for more than a decade. Explore it!

5.   http://typedia.com

it's a place where users can learn more about a typeface or font creator. Typedia also functions as a wiki, so anyone can join and add his own images, pages and information to the living, breathing typography tomb.

I think these resources will give us an idea about web typography.