I've always found typeface selection to be totally baffling. Usually, when just writing a document or putting together a quick web page, I'll use whatever is the default. I can't be bothered to pick between the 40-50 or so fonts that are installed by default, let alone the thousands available free over the web or for purchase.
When it comes to putting together the shipping product or released document, I feel like I have only two choices: 1. Consult a magical "UX expert". Only this mystical being, who speaks secret incantations, and has access to access some design tome somewhere, can tell you what the exact right typeface should be. Or, 2. Pick from generic pre-designed templates (designed by the magicians, no doubt) and just paint-by-numbers into your product.
I wish there was a way to take this magic step out of designing.
The basic premise of this article seems to be that "Typefaces have personality". There are actually a couple of examples presented:
* Trade Gothic is no-nonsense
* Bell Gothic is dynamic and outspoken
* Slab serif typefaces are known for their distinct personality
* Franklin Gothic is stoic, sturdy, strong
* Souvenir is playful, casual, a little aloof, and very pretty
* Dax is an informal, modern, and bright typeface
* Bernhard Modern is classy, quiet, sophisticated, and even a touch intimate
So, who classifies these personalities? Where are they documented, so that I, as a non-designer, can look them up and use them correctly? This guide expects the reader to already know this typeface-to-peronality mapping.
I'd love a resource that lets you just look this stuff up. "If you're making an online newsletter about plants, use typefaces A, B, and C together, but never D and E, and don't make C bold. If you're making a poster for a concert for a new age marimba player, use typefaces F and G." That would be great.
Even better than a rule book, a more systematic process that gets you from subject matter to the right font, that is understandable and repeatable for non-designers would be perfect.
A lot of these things are obvious just by looking. For example, "Slab serif typefaces are known for their distinct personality." Well, look at the two slab serif fonts in the example he gives you. You can see the letters have big exaggerated lines on the ends - the Ts have things coming off the top left and right and bottom center. These are the serifs and they are very large an decorative. His example has two fonts that have these serifs that are large and decorative and then the serifs for each are different. So it is kind of weird just looking at it. Oh, this T has a lot of decoration! But wait, that T over there has different decoration. It just feels weird on the eyes.
When it comes to putting together the shipping product or released document, I feel like I have only two choices: 1. Consult a magical "UX expert". Only this mystical being, who speaks secret incantations, and has access to access some design tome somewhere, can tell you what the exact right typeface should be. Or, 2. Pick from generic pre-designed templates (designed by the magicians, no doubt) and just paint-by-numbers into your product.
I wish there was a way to take this magic step out of designing.
The basic premise of this article seems to be that "Typefaces have personality". There are actually a couple of examples presented:
* Trade Gothic is no-nonsense
* Bell Gothic is dynamic and outspoken
* Slab serif typefaces are known for their distinct personality
* Franklin Gothic is stoic, sturdy, strong
* Souvenir is playful, casual, a little aloof, and very pretty
* Dax is an informal, modern, and bright typeface
* Bernhard Modern is classy, quiet, sophisticated, and even a touch intimate
So, who classifies these personalities? Where are they documented, so that I, as a non-designer, can look them up and use them correctly? This guide expects the reader to already know this typeface-to-peronality mapping.
I'd love a resource that lets you just look this stuff up. "If you're making an online newsletter about plants, use typefaces A, B, and C together, but never D and E, and don't make C bold. If you're making a poster for a concert for a new age marimba player, use typefaces F and G." That would be great.
Even better than a rule book, a more systematic process that gets you from subject matter to the right font, that is understandable and repeatable for non-designers would be perfect.
Anyone have any suggested reading?